Bluebirds Fall Just Shy of Another Huge Win

Highlands Unable to Pull off Second Win Over Top-10 Team

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands junior Emma Riccobene sets up for a free throw in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (17-8 overall) had another chance to take down a team ranked in the top 10 of the latest Associated Press poll on Friday in Fort Thomas.

But Highlands came up short of beating the fourth-ranked Louisville Butler Bearettes (20-4), 36-35. Junior Dynastee White hit a free throw with 16 seconds left to give Butler the victory. This marked the final home game of the season for Highlands.

Highlands had already beaten one top 10 opponent this year. The Bluebirds beat eighth-ranked Notre Dame, 44-43 at home on Jan. 20. The Pandas (18-4) have won four in a row since that game.

Highlands Drops Second Game in Louisville

Bluebirds Lose Halftime Lead in Defeat

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. Highlands senior Ashley Hayes (2) gets down on defense in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds basketball team (14-4 overall) lost its second game in two days on the road in Louisville, 47-39 against the host Butler Bearettes (11-5) on Saturday.

This marked the second meeting between the two teams this season. Highlands beat Butler, 43-30 in the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic at Lexington Catholic on Dec. 22.

Butler edges NewCath, 54-52

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

They came so close to that elusive state tournament win.

NewCath ready for challenge with Butler

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic senior post Nikki Kiernan smiles after cutting off a piece of the net following Sunday's 9th Region championship win over Notre Dame. The Ms. Basketball candidate averages 16.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game for the Thoroughbreds. They take on Louisville Butler in the state tournament at Western Kentucky University at 7:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

They came into the season as a 9th Region contender and succeeded at that goal for the fourth time since 2003.