Teams from 35th to provide biggest challenges to Highlands, NewCath in 9th Region Tournament

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Kiersten Clukey (middle) jumps up for a shot in a recent game against Simon Kenton. Clukey has provided valuable minutes for the 36th District champion Highlands Ladybirds. Highlands (29-3) is looking for its first 9th Region championship since 2001.

COVINGTON – The hope entering Saturday’s 9th Region Basketball Tournament draw was to put yourself in the best position possible against the 35th District teams.

Thoroughbreds capture seventh straight district title

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior Drew McDonald goes in for a score in a recent game. The 6-foot-7-inch post had a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Thoroughbreds to their seventh straight district championship on Friday.

NEWPORT – No one was expected to deny the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbred boys basketball team its seventh straight district championship.

Highlands holds off NewCath for district crown

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior McKenzie Leigh (middle) splits two Newport Central Catholic defenders in the meeting on Jan. 3 in Fort Thomas. Leigh scored 13 points to help Highlands to its second district championship in three seasons.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic's Sarah Neace shoots one in the regular season meeting at Highlands on Jan. 3.

NEWPORT – Past evidence gives many good reasons these two rivals do not take anything for granted against each other in the postseason despite the regular season result.

Rebuilding process took positive steps for Bluebirds

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Nick Kendall (12) goes up for a shot in a recent game. Kendall is one of three starters to return next year for the Bluebirds.

On paper, an 8-17 record may not look good.

36th Boys Hoops Semis: NewCath eliminates Highlands

Photo: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic's Grant Moeves (13) scores in a regular season game. The Thoroughbreds will go for their seventh straight district championship at Newport on Friday at 7 p.m.

PHOTO: Highlands senior Justin Weyer fires up a jumper in a recent regular season game. Weyer is one of three Bluebird seniors on the squad that just finished its season.

NEWPORT – These two rival boys basketball team would prefer not to see each other in the postseason with the season on the line unless it is for the 9th Region championship.

Highlands, NewCath to meet again for 36th Girls hoops crown

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Alex Combs goes in for the score in a recent game against Simon Kenton. Highlands recorded a sound 36th District semifinal win over Bellevue on Tuesday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

For the second straight year since the 36th District changed from the blind draw to the seeding format, the top-seeded Highlands Ladybirds will take on the second-seeded Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds for the crown.

Highlands keeps postseason alive

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Parker Harris goes in for the score in a recent game. The Bluebirds beat the Dayton Greendevils, 59-30 to open the 36th District Tournament on Monday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds made sure their season did not end Monday.

Highlands beats Beechwood to conclude regular season

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Nick Kendall (12) fires up a shot in Friday's game against Beechwood. The Bluebirds won 54-49 to conclude the regular season.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team hoped to go into the postseason on a positive note.

Ladybirds leave impression on Senior Night

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior McKenzie Leigh scored two of her 16 points in the final game of the regular season Friday against Simon Kenton. The Ladybirds won 56-34 to conclude the regular season at 27-3.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

They finished the regular season with an impressive win and set the new mark.

NewCath girls conclude regular season on good note

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic's Michaela Ware goes up strong in a recent game. Ware scored 14 points as the Thoroughbreds downed Conner to end the regular season, 54-49.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbred girls basketball team finished off the regular season on the right note Friday.

NC Hoops Roundup: Thoroughbred winning streak hits 15

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior Grant Moeves shoots against three Holmes players in a recent game. The Thoroughbreds won their 15th straight over Conner on Thursday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds concluded the impressive regular season with a convincing 75-50 win at Conner on Thursday.

Ladybirds aim for another big win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Alex Combs (left) makes a move in a game at St. Henry earlier this season. The Ladybirds conclude the regular season at home Friday against Simon Kenton aiming for their 27th win of the season. That would be the most victories in a season since Jaime Walz-Richey became head coach in 2002.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

They’ve made the most of their opportunities this year.

More cancellations announced

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

More area games were called off because of the weather Wednesday.

NC, Highlands games cancelled

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands and Newport Central Catholic boys basketball game scheduled for Tuesday were not played because of the snow and cold temperatures. Highlands was to play host to Scott and NewCath to Louisville Trinity.

Hoops Roundup: Ladybird win streak hits nine

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Lydia Graves (20) tips the ball to Haley Coffey (15) in a recent game. Highlands beat Walton-Verona, 69-50 Saturday to earn its 26th win of the season.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team stepped out of region for the last two games of the regular season.

NewCath beats Holmes in crucial 9th Region game

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic junior Ben Weyer (44) slams one home in Friday's win over Holmes. Weyer had a double-double of  18 points and 10 rebounds in the 58-52 Thoroughbred victory.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – It is all about preparing to make a huge run at the elusive prize for the rest of the regular season.

Highlands, Lloyd split girl-boy doubleheader

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Haley Coffey (15) goes in for the lay-up in a recent game. Highlands moved to 25-3 on the season with an 83-39 thrashing of Lloyd Memorial on Friday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The first half of the annual girl-boy doubleheader started off well for the visitors.

NewCath girls take care of St. Henry

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbred girls basketball team moved to 16-10 with a 72-58 9th Region road win Thursday.

Area basketball teams seek strong finishes

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Kiersten Clukey goes up for a shot in a recent game against Boone County. The Ladybirds have won seven straight entering the tournament.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

They know their seeds in the upcoming 36th District Tournament.

NC Hoops Roundup: Thoroughbreds win 13th straight

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior Zack Pangallo (12) goes to the basket in a recent game. NewCath beat Bellevue, 78-39 Wednesday for its 13th straight win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Make that 29 in a row over 36th District opponents.

Highlands surpasses last year's win total

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands Eighth Grader Zoie Barth goes in for the score in Tuesday's game. Barth scored a career-high 19 points in the 66-47 win over Boone County.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The host Highlands Ladybirds basketball team pulled away from the Boone County Lady Rebels for a 66-47 9th Region victory Tuesday.

Ladybirds win in Leigh's return to action

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior McKenzie Leigh makes a move in a recent game. Leigh played for the first time in six games Monday. Highlands beat Cincinnati St. Ursula, 56-24.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team ventured across the Ohio River and handled a Greater Catholic League opponent Monday for its sixth straight win.

NC girls wins rematch of last year's region title game

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic's Michaela Ware (11) goes up against Notre Dame's Allison Gribben (15) in Sunday's game at Thomas More College. NewCath won 50-41.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls basketball team won the 2014 9th Region title game rematch Sunday at Thomas More College.

Hoops Roundup: Highland girls, NC boys record 9th Region wins

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Grant Moves (13) goes in for the lay-up in Saturday's game against Beechwood.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team won its fifth in a row with a home 51-42 victory over the Dixie Heights Lady Colonels on Saturday.

Hoops Roundup: Bluebirds give valiant effort in road loss

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Bo Hebel (55) puts up a shot in Friday's game at Covington Holmes. The Bluebirds put up a fight in the 68-57 loss.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds basketball team (6-14) put up a valiant effort on the home court of a 9th Region contender Friday.

NewCath pounds Bishop Brossart

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbred boys basketball team had little trouble winning another battle against the in-county rival Bishop Brossart Mustangs.

Four Highlands athletes sign letters of intent

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Taylor Vaughn fires off a shot last season. She signed her letter of intent to play college soccer at Wittenberg University on Wednesday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It’s the day when high school athletes all over the country cement their letters of intent to take their talents to the next level.

Hoops Roundup: Ladybirds hit 20 wins for third straight year

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Parker Harris tries to score in a recent game.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds hit the 20-win plateau for the third straight season with a 71-45 victory over the visiting Bracken County Lady Bears (16-9) on Tuesday.

Points off turnovers come in huge in Highlands win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Haley Coffey battles for the ball in a recent game. Coffey had two assists in Highlands' home win over Scott on Monday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team recorded an impressive home victory Monday after surviving a rough performance Saturday.

NewCath hits goal of All "A" Three-Peat

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds basketball team signals three after winning the All "A" State basketball tournament Sunday for the third straight year. NewCath has four titles in school history.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FRANKFORT – After receiving a scare Saturday, they put the petal to the medal and made history.

NewCath outlasts Lexington Christian

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic's Zack Pangallo (right) goes up for a shot in a recent game against St. Henry. Pangallo scored 21 points in NewCath's 55-51 All "A" State Semifinal win over Lexington Christian on Saturday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FRANKFORT – The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbred boys basketball team was not kidding when it said opponents would not let them blaze through the tournament.

GIRLS HOOPS ROUNDUP: Highlands survives Conner; NC drops tough one

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Alex Combs (42) makes a move against Conner's Vanessa Gripshover (4) and Bethany Vest (15) in Saturday's 9th Region game. Highlands won 39-38 in overtime.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team went to overtime on the road in 9th Region play for a second straight Saturday.