Bluebirds state championship bid falls short

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands second baseman Grayson Heck (10) grabs a toss from shortstop Jake Whitford (4) to just nip West Jessamine runner Tucker Greer.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Bluebirds came back to Fort Thomas with a state runner-up finish in their first appearance in the state championship game in school history.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Jacob Noe fires away in the seventh inning. Noe is one of 12 seniors to graduate as the Bluebirds made a historic run in the postseason.

They hoped for one more giant step in program history.

Moving on! Highlands scores another 1-0 victory; NC volleyball beats Beechwood

G. Michael Graham. Highlands forward Chris Garbig (left) chases the ball after West Jessamine's Shawn Murphy (right) in Monday's State tournament first-round contest. The Bluebirds won 1-0 to advance to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

NICHOLASVILLE – It did not take overtime to earn this one.

It took a great pass to the center to their leading goal-scorer for the game’s lone goal and lift the Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team to another 1-0 victory in the firstround of the state tournament over the host West Jessamine Colts on Monday. Highlands finds itself back in the state quarterfinals since a 3-1 loss to Scott three years ago.