Highlands Volleyball Captures Fourth Straight District Crown

Bluebirds Best 'Breds in Five

The Final point in Game Five.

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands senior setter Maria Little (3) goes up for a set while Laura Winkler (14) and CC Shick (23) get in position.

When Highlands Bluebirds junior middle blocker/right side hitter CC Shick and Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds senior middle blocker Madison McCloskey wound up and followed through, the balls slammed to the ground more often that not.

It turned into a matter of which team made fewer mistakes, found them, the other hitters and made their supporters roar better in determining the 36th District champion at Dayton High on Thursday. Trailing 2-1 entering the fourth set, Highlands (13-7 overall) responded pulling out the fourth set (25-19) then the deciding fifth set (15-4) to beat the improved Thoroughbreds (15-10), 3-2 for a fourth straight district championship.

"I think this season (shortened because of Coronavirus 2019) has been a tough one for a lot of teams including us," said Katelyn Sallee, Highlands Head Coach. "We had to fight to just kind of figure out who we were as a team after losing (five seniors to graduation from last year) and clawing back against I think the best NC team we've seen in a few years. It was a hard fight. We were ready for it and we came out strong."

Bluebirds Girls Soccer Leaves Morscher with Tough Win

Bluebirds Own 11 District Titles in 13 Seasons

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Highlands girls soccer team won its 11th district championship in 13 seasons with a 1-0 win over Newport Central Catholic on Thursday.

Unlike the region tournament where the field must have lights to be able to play host to the tournament, the district tournament can be played anywhere as long as it is regulation size grass or turf.

Thus, the 36th District girls soccer tournament took place at Morscher Field in Silver Grove at the home of the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (11-8-1). It might have been moved to Tower Park with excessive rain, but that did not happen.

The Highlands Bluebirds (17-4 overall) were not able to use their speed advantage as well at Morscher Field. But Highlands still found a way to win by the 1-0 minimum in regulation to claim its third straight district championship and 11th in the last 13 years.

"I'm very proud of our effort," said Alex Dean, Highlands Head Coach. "It's been like that all year, but (Thursday) I felt like we wanted it more. NC has had a great season and (the Thoroughbreds) are still going to continue to play. I think our conditioning paid off. We had a lot of girls play all 80 minutes. It's something we were skeptical about. But they proved to us they can handle it, which is great."

More District Championships Added to Highlands Trophy Case

Bluebird Baseball, Softball Claim Crowns in Different Ways

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Taylar Lorenzen receives a five from Head Coach Rob Coffey after a three-run home run in the second inning. The Bluebirds beat Dayton, 10-7 to win the 36th District championship.

Both Blue and White squads smashed their way into the district championship games.

It turned into a matter of the heavily favored Highlands Bluebirds baseball and softball teams bringing home more 36th District gold trophies and earning the best possible seeds in the 9th Region Quarterfinals on Thursday. Both teams did it in two completely different fashions bringing the total to six district championships out of the the seven 36th District sports for the most in an academic calendar year since the soccer teams went to that format starting in 2012-13.

Lopsided Bluebird Victory

Highlands Records 10th Straight Win over NewCath

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Tyler Gulley blasts a home run Saturday against Newport Central Catholic. The Bluebirds recorded a 19-0 win for their 10th straight against the Thoroughbreds.

The rain stayed light enough to get this important 36th District baseball rivalry game in.

While the players and coaches may not talk about it heavily, the Highlands Bluebirds took down the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds for the 10th straight time. This game quickly turned into the most lopsided of them all as the Bluebirds (16-8 overall) took care of the Thoroughbreds, 19-0 in five innings Saturday morning at Morscher Field.

Thursday Highlands Results

Highlands Softball Wins 36th Opener

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Highlands Bluebirds softball team waits at home plate after junior Rachel Gabbard hit a home run in the third inning against Newport Central Catholic. The Bluebirds won 9-0.

It can be hard to keep up in the scorebook with this team.

But for years, the players and coaches on the Highlands Bluebirds softball team have wanted to develop that depth to compete with the top teams in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The depth once again showed itself in a crucial 9-0 36th District win over the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds on Thursday at Veterans Memorial Park. It marked the first district game for both teams.

Fourth Straight District Crown for Bluebirds

Defense Paves Way for Highlands Win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Highlands girls basketball team hoists the 36th District championship trophy Thursday. The Bluebirds beat Newport Central Catholic, 47-31 for their fourth straight district title Thursday at home.

Senior guard Brooke Dill stepped up the ladder to cut the net celebrating yet another 36th District championship.

But this trip up the ladder carried something bigger than the previous ones because it meant something that had not happened in 17 years just took place for Dill and the Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (24-7 overall). The 47-31 victory over the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (11-17) gave the Bluebirds their fourth straight district championship and fifth in the last six years Thursday in Fort Thomas.

Thoroughbreds Escape Bluebirds, 61-59

NewCath has won 16 Straight against Bluebirds

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Tyler Gulley (center) dunks the ball in the first quarter of the 36th District semifinal game against Newport Central Catholic.

Junior Alex Starkey took the ball and turned around deep outside the left wing.

The Highlands guard knew a big shot stood between the Bluebirds advancing to the 36th District boys basketball championship game or seeing the season end. It didn't come down to that play, but the long shot came up short as the visiting and eight-time defending champion Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (15-11 overall) escaped with a 61-59 district semifinal win over the Bluebirds (13-15).

Rough District Road Loss for Bluebirds

NewCath Pulls Away for Victory

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Nate Roberts makes a move in a recent game.

Head Coach Kevin Listerman said guarding the opposing team's best player better will be a major focus the next couple weeks before entering the 36th District Tournament in Fort Thomas.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team (9-10 overall) again struggled with it in an 81-66 loss to the host Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (11-8) on Tuesday. The Thoroughbreds have won 15 in a row in the series and 17 of the last 19. Highlands fell to 1-2 in district play.

Fantastic Finish for Highlands Freshmen Football

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Sam Vinson hauls in a two-point conversion pass during the 15-12 win Thursday over Newport Central Catholic. The Bluebird Freshmen team finished 8-1 on the season.

The Highlands Bluebirds pulled out a 15-12 victory over the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds to finish the season Thursday at David Cecil Memorial Stadium.

Highlands Claims Third Straight Over NCC

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior midfielder Blake Shuley dribbles forward in a recent game.

It took a match-up with the 36th District arch-rival to end the losing streak.

But the Highlands Bluebirds soccer team (5-3 overall) wore down the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (5-4) in the second half on their way to a 4-2 victory at Morscher Sports Complex in front of a good crowd. The Bluebirds have won three in a row in the series.

Split Results in 36th Title Games

Highlands Baseball Six-Peats as District Champs

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Josie Daley makes a play in the 36th District championship game Friday.

The start made the Blue and White faithful nervous.

Runs have not always come as easy as previous seasons for the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team so it is understandable why a 4-0 deficit in the first inning would make fans nervous. But Highlands (22-12 overall) did not flinch. Instead, the Bluebirds dominated the rest of the way en route to an 11-4 victory over the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (16-14) in the 36th District championship Friday at Highland Park.

Streak Extended for Bluebirds

Highlands beats NewCath for Eighth Straight Time

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands third baseman Sam Hennigan (left) and shortstop Brady Gosney (right) go for a ground ball against Newport Central Catholic on Wednesday.

When the game finished, the streak over the rivals reached eight straight.

The key for the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team (11-8 overall, 2-0 36th District) has been not to focus on the winning streak but on beating the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (12-7, 3-1) that day. The Bluebirds overcame the Thoroughbreds by a 6-2 margin Wednesday in the latest chapter of the rivalry at Highland Park. Highlands moved to 7-2 in 9th Region action with the win.

Fourth title in Five Years for Ladybirds

Highlands handles NewCath for 36th crown

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team captured its third straight 36th District championship with a 69-41 win over Newport Central Catholic on Thursday at Dayton. This also marks the fourth crown in five years and the sixth one since Jaime Walz-Richey became head coach in 2002.

DAYTON - It became evident in early January the 36th District Girls Basketball Tournament would be the Blue and White's to lose.

But instead of playing like that, the Highlands Ladybirds (22-8 overall) made it their tournament to dominate. They finished off the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (12-16), 69-41 to win their third straight district championship and fourth in the last five years Thursday at Dayton.

Highlands handles NewCath in district action; Simon Kenton baseball bests Highlands

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Morgan Coffey makes a catch in Monday's game against Newport Central Catholic. Highlands took control of the 36th District with a convincing 8-0 win.

NEWPORT - The long-term goal may be Owensboro.

But to get back there, the Highlands Ladybirds softball team knows it needs to win its second-ever 9th Region crown after winning the first one two years ago. But for the regular season, the goal is to go undefeated in 36th District and region play.

So far, it's gone well. The Ladybirds (12-6 overall) remained undefeated in district and region play at 2-0 and 6-0 respectively with a convincing 8-0 win over the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds at Veterans Park on Monday. NewCath beat Highlands at Winkler Field last year before the Ladybirds came back to beat NewCath in the district tournament championship.

Weekend Round-up: Region baseball, softball tournaments begin Monday

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Josie Daley (28) slides in for a run in Thursday's 36th District championship game. Highlands opens the 9th Region Tournament against Beechwood on Monday.

The Highlands baseball and softball teams received good draws for the 9th Region quarterfinals Saturday.

Highlands outscores NewCath by combined 13-0 to capture 36th District baseball, softball crowns

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands shortstop Haley Coffey ranges to grab the ball in Thursday's 36th District championship game.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic catcher Kristen Schreiber makes a diving catch in Thursday's 36th District title game.

BELLEVUE - It was a Blue and White day in 36th District championship games Thursday.

NewCath baseball, softball teams advance

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior Loren Zimmerman (right) and Head Coach Denny Barnes share a laugh during Tuesday's 36th District semifinal win over Dayton.

The Newport Central Catholic baseball and softball teams advanced to the 9th Region Tournament with 36th District semifinal wins Tuesday.

Tuesday Round-up: Highlands softball begins tough week on good note

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Taylor Baioni makes a catch in a recent game. Highlands won its ninth straight, 9-0 over Bishop Brossart on Tuesday.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team (18-7 overall) began the tough week with a 9-0 win over the visiting Bishop Brossart Lady Mustangs on Monday at Winkler Park.

Wednesday Round-up: NewCath softball wins ninth straight; HHS baseball, softball win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior Kristen Schreiber hits her second three-run home run against Cooper on Wednesday.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team equaled last year's win total with an 18-0 five-inning run-ruling of the host Newport Wildcats on Wednesday.

Monday Roundup: Highlands softball run-rules Dayton

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Kara Fornash grabs the ball in Monday's game at Dayton. She went 3-for-4 as Highlands won 11-0 in five innings.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team recorded its second straight run-ruling on the road Monday.

Highlands (12-7) took care of 36th District opponent Dayton, 11-0 in five innings. The Ladybirds finished 3-1 in district seed play.