NewCath defends 2A crown against DeSales

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Many expected a rematch of last year’s epic Class 2A state championship game in Bowling Green on Saturday.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds downed the Caldwell County Tigers, 30-26 when Tyler Lyon caught a four-yard pass from quarterback Josh Cain with 26 seconds left in the game. Caldwell County received the nod as favorites with the return of the majority of those players including quarterback Elijah Sindelar.

But the rematch will not happen. Murray upset the Tigers, 27-14 in the regional finals on Nov. 22.

Same opponent stands in way of another Highlands state crown

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands wide receiver Alex Veneman makes a move on a screen pass while Beau Hoge knocks Lexington Catholic's Davis Rowady (19) out of the way. The Bluebirds battle Collins for the Class 4A state title on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Western Kentucky University.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The new motto came about Nov. 30 last year.

The Highlands Bluebirds football team completed the “Race for Seis (Six)” with a state record sixth consecutive state championship, 47-0 over the Collins Titans at Western Kentucky University that night. It was not long after the returning players started talking about adding onto that record with a “Stairway to Seven” theme.

NCC Girls Hoops improves to 2-0

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls basketball team scored in the 80s for the second straight game Wednesday.

The Thoroughbreds moved to 2-0 with an 87-59 domination of the St. Henry Lady Crusaders (0-1) on the Hill. They saw five players reach double digits.

Tuesday Basketball Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team fell to the visiting Sacred Heart Valkyries, 59-51 to open the season Tuesday.

Highlands led 12-9 after the first quarter. But Sacred Heart took a 36-31 halftime lead and never looked back.

NC girls thrash Dayton, 81-20

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic girls basketball team opened the season Monday with a convincing win.

The Thoroughbreds downed the host Dayton Lady Devils, 81-20 scoring 60 points in the first half. The two teams played this year for 36th District Tournament seeding purposes.

NewCath senior standout post Nikki Kiernan played in just the first half and scored 17 points. She added nine rebounds and two blocks.

Three other NewCath players reached double-digits. They were Alexus Mayes with 13 points, Lydia Stetler and Imani Lankheit with 10 each.

Dayton did see one player reach double-figures. That was Nicole Schowalter with 10.

NewCath plays host to St. Henry on Wednesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

NCC Boys Hoops Preview: Thoroughbreds once again favored to win 9th Region

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

They have been labeled 9th Region favorites once again.

That’s because the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds have the size and depth to give teams problems in addition to adding some key players. A familiar face in Head Coach Ron Dawn returns to the sidelines this year after Grant Brannen took the same position at Walton-Verona last spring.

Dawn takes over a team that returns three starters from last year’s 30-3 squad that won its fifth straight 36th District Tournament crown. The Thoroughbreds won the All “A” State Tournament and rode an 18-game winning streak into the 9th Region Tournament at the Bank of Kentucky Center on Northern Kentucky University’s campus.

NCC Girls Hoops Preview: Thoroughbreds aim for another great season

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Returning everyone from a year ago often amounts to great things.

But that is only the case if those returning players sharpen their games in the offseason. Second-year Newport Central Thoroughbreds Girls Basketball Head Coach George Stoll and staff hope that proves true this season.