Highlands Dominates Newport

Bluebirds Earn Third Seed in 36th District Tournament

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands junior point guard Alyssa Harris sets up to shoot a free throw in a game earlier in the week.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (9-13 overall) knew another district loss would mean having to win twice in the 36th District Tournament to make it to the 9th Region Tournament.

The Bluebirds made sure that did not happen dominating the Newport Ladycats (15-6), 50-13 on Friday at Russell Bridges Gym. Highlands finished 1-2 in district play and will be the third seed in the district tournament to be played at Bellevue.

"It was great how the girls responded from that (52-45) loss at Bellevue (on Wednesday)," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "We watched film from that game for about an hour or so then came back up and went over things for about 45 minutes. Film is such a teachable tool we try to use whenever we can. The things that we did on Wednesday aren't things that we're supposed to do. When they saw that on film, they were like, 'Oh.' So we made sure we didn't do the same things (Friday)."

Highlands saw nine different players score in the win. Junior point guard Alyssa Harris led the way with 13 points making three three-pointers and freshman 6-foot-2-inch center Marissa Green scored 10. Green also had nine rebounds.

Highlands made 19-of-41 shots for 46 percent including 7-of-19 three-point shots for 37 percent and 3-of-4 free throws for 75 percent. The Bluebirds also had 17 assists, 12 steals, 14 turnovers and 23 rebounds.

"We preach that to them," Richey said. "When we're watching film, some of those girls didn't get in. In the film, it's one person. But it's really all of them that we're talking to so we don't make the same mistakes."

Newport did not have anyone score more than five points. The Ladycats made 2-of-4 free throws for 50 percent.

The win marked the 401st since Richey took over the program in 2002. That ties her for 35th on the all-time wins list for Kentucky girls basketball head coaches with 25-year Villa Madonna Head Coach Don Shields, who retired in 2014.

Highlands Girls Hoops Declaws Ladycats

Bluebirds Move to 2-0 in District Play

Highlands freshman Alyssa Harris (right) gets in defensive position in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (11-6 overall) dressed just 10 players in the 36th District battle against the host Newport Ladycats (2-22) on Friday for different reasons.

That included the first varsity action for sophomore forward Megan Gessner. But all 10 players contributed in the 52-24 victory. Gessner made a three-pointer, grabbed four rebounds and had an assist. Highlands moved to 2-0 in district play with its sixth straight win.

Tuesday Highlands Results

Highlands Boys Soccer, Volleyball Record District Victories

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team defeated Newport Central Catholic, 4-3 on Tuesday.

The main thing that mattered in the end was the 4-3 victory.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team (9-3-2 overall) ventured to Morscher Field in Silver Grove and came away with that 36th District victory over the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (9-5-1). But the Bluebirds know some things need to be ironed out with seven games left in the regular season.

Highlands Finishes District Play with Convincing Win

Bluebirds Earn 20th Win of Season

PHOTO: Bob Jackson. Highlands senior Zoie Barth shoots a jumper in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (20-4 overall) will be the undisputed top seed in the 36th District Tournament once again.

Highlands has not lost a district seed game since the district went to that format before the 2013-14 season. The Bluebirds finished off seed play Friday with a convincing 67-25 win over the winless Newport Ladycats (0-19). Newport's first-year head coach is 2008 Highlands graduate Alex Adler.

More Region Wins for Bluebird Softball, Baseball

Softball Celebrates Senior Day in Style

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Baylie Ormes waits during a break in the action against Newport on Thursday. All nine Bluebird seniors started Senior Day in a 17-2 win over Newport.

The coaching staff made sure the nine Highlands softball seniors had a memorable day Wednesday.

All nine started, played the entire game and had at least one hit in the 17-2 four-inning run-ruling of the Newport Ladycats in 36th District play. Highlands moved to 11-8 overall and 2-0 in district play with the victory.

Runaway Win for Ladybirds

Ladybirds handle Ladycats in district semifinals

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands eighth-grader Rory O'Hara puts up a free throw in Tuesday's 36th District semifinal game against Newport.

DAYTON - It may seem odd to think about it.

After all, the Highlands Ladybirds basketball team won its four 36th District seed games by an average of 34.75 points during the regular season on its way to a fourth straight top seed in the district tournament. Add to that, the Ladybirds have lost just once in the district semifinals in Jaime Walz-Richey's 15-year tenure as head coach. That came by a 55-47 score in 2010 when the district used a blind draw format.

Gratifying District Wins

Highlands hoops squads handle 36th Opponents

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Zoie Barth drives the baseline in a recent game. Barth scored 11 points to help the Ladybirds to a fourth straight perfect 4-0 mark in district seed play with a 75-32 win over Newport on Saturday.

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team has not lost a 36th District seed game since the district switched to that process before the 2013-14 season and the team made sure it stayed that way Saturday.

Highlands downs Newport, 65-39

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior forward Lauren Epperson (24) goes up for a shot in Monday's 65-39. The Ladybirds have won five in a row since opening the season with a loss.

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team handled another 36th District opponent with a 65-39 victory over the host Newport Ladycats on Monday.

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.

Ladybirds double up Ladycats, 66-33

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds basketball team doubled up the 36th District rival Newport Ladycats on Monday, 66-33.

Highlands moved to 4-2 with its second straight win and 4-0 at home. Newport fell to 3-5 and saw its two-game winning streak snapped.

The Ladybirds once again had offensive balance with 12 different players scoring. Senior post Jesse “Dirt” Daley again led Highlands with 12 points and Brianna Adler followed with eight. Adler hit both Ladybird three-pointers.

Highlands scored a lot of points from the free-throw line making 16-of-21 for about 76 percent. Haley Coffey led the Ladybirds making all four attempts.

The Highlands junior varsity also defeated Newport, 37-12.

Highlands returns home Saturday to face the Cooper Lady Jaguars (4-2) at 2:30 p.m.