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 seniors contributed well to program legacy

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The end result did not turn out the same for the previous six senior classes.

But the senior class of this past football season did what it could to add to the great history of Highlands Bluebird football. The Bluebirds rank second in the nation for the most wins in school history with 855 dating back to 1915. Valdosta (Ga.) is first with 882 victories since 1913.

Girls Hoops: NC dominates Paintsville, HHS falls

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds had no problem in the All “A” Girls State Basketball Tournament opener on Wednesday.

The Thoroughbreds (18-2) dominated the Paintsville Lady Tigers (11-7) by a 56-26 count at the Frankfort Civic Center. They jumped out to a 27-3 advantage after the first quarter and never looked back.

NewCath doubles up Highlands, 56-28

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands senior Drew Houliston (25) passes the ball against Newport Central Catholic junior Grant Moeves (13) in Tuesday's 36th District contest. NewCath won 56-28 for its eighth straight win in the series.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

NEWPORT – Lately, the home team had dominated the series.

The visiting team sought a signature win in building toward the time when these two men’s basketball teams battled for not just district titles, but 9th Region crowns between 1997 and 2001. The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (17-3 overall, 3-0 district) continued that against the Highlands Bluebirds (3-10, 1-2) with a 56-28 victory on The Hill on Tuesday.

Highlands pulls away from Bellevue; NC-Ryle make-up date announced

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team completed its undefeated run through 36th District regular-season play Monday.

The Bluebirds handled the host Bellevue Lady Tigers, 67-31 to finish 4-0 in district play and clinch the top seed in the district tournament in February at Newport Central Catholic. Highlands improved to 14-3 overall and Bellevue dropped to 7-9 overall.

NewCath boys win another 9th All "A" Title

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Another year marked another All “A” 9th Region title for the Royal Blue and Gold.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds handled the in-town rival Newport Wildcats, 67-40 for the crown at Dayton on Saturday. It was not as close as last year’s region title game at Bellevue that NewCath had to hit a good amount of free throws down the stretch to pull away.

NC Boys advance; Highlands boys and girls, NC girls games cancelled

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

This was supposed to be their biggest challenge in the tournament.

All the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys basketball team did was respond with an 83-67 victory over the St. Henry Crusaders in the All “A” 9th Region semifinals Friday at Dayton. NewCath (15-3) has won eight in a row and moved to 10-0 in region action.