Ladybirds cruise to another victory

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Kristyn Lukjan (40) applies pressure while Haley Coffey (15) and Alex Combs (42) along with Newport's Kelis McGuire (22) watch. Highlands moved to 13-1 and clinched another outright 36th District top seed with the win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds will enter the 36th District Tournament as the undisputed top seed for the second straight year.

NewCath teams record wins Sunday

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbred boys basketball team bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 68-53 win over Bardstown on Sunday.

Highlands, NC programs vow to maintain integrity in programs in wake of Cordia sanctions

G. Michael Graham photo. The Newport Central Catholic and Highlands boys basketball programs have vowed to continue to develop their programs within the rules in the wake of the sanctions against eastern Kentucky school Cordia. Cordia, under the guidance of former Kentucky Wildcat Rodrick Rhodes, will not be able to play any scrimmages or games in either the regular or postseason next year.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It is a situation any high school athletic program hopes to avoid, let alone Highlands and Newport Central Catholic.

Former Kentucky Wildcat basketball player Rodrick Rhodes took over the Cordia Lion boys basketball program in 2011 and the Lions quickly rose to unprecedented heights. Newport Central Catholic beat Cordia twice last winter including a 72-61 victory in the All “A” State championship on Feb. 2 in the Frankfort Civic Center.

Highlands teams, NC girls pick up 9th Region wins

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds basketball team snapped a two-game losing streak with a home win Wednesday.

Highlands girls, NC boys win; Holmes downs Highlands boys

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team may have to win games like this to advance in the postseason.

Highlands moved to 17-5 overall and 3-2 in games decided by five points or less with a 41-40 win over the host Beechwood Lady Tigers (10-10) on Friday. Highlands moved to 11-2 against 9th Region competition with the win.

NewCath handles OCath; Highlands girls lose at buzzer

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The defending tournament champions started the boys basketball tournament off with the expected bang.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (18-3) handled the Owensboro Catholic Aces, 60-39 to open the All “A” State Tournament on Thursday. All games are taking place at the Frankfort Convention Center.

Highlands, NC boys post wins

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team earned its first victory of the year Monday.

Highlands (1-6) knocked off the Chesnee (S.C.) Eagles, 54-38 at the Cumberland Falls Invitational at Corbin. This marked the second opponent of the tournament for Highlands from the Palmetto State.

NC girls win Gateway Classic; NC, Highlands boys fall

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls basketball team added a tournament championship to this remarkable season Sunday.

The undefeated 10-0 Thoroughbreds won the Gateway Holiday Classic at Montgomery County with a 63-48 win over the Ashland Kittens (6-3). The three tournament wins came against teams with winning records.