Bluebirds Bow Out in 9th Quarterfinals

Highlands Struggles in Clutch Moments

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior guard Brooke Dill goes up for the score in the first half in the 9th Region Quarterfinal game against Conner.

The luck of the draw for the 9th Region Quarterfinals had not been on their side these last two years.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (24-8 overall) has won 20-plus games in six straight seasons consistently challenging for the 9th Region crown. But it always seems like there is one or two teams that are a little better than the Bluebirds.

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).

Bluebirds Cruise to District Championship Game

Highlands to Face NewCath in 36th Title Game

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Zoie Barth (10) goes down the middle against Dayton in the 36th District semifinals Tuesday.

It almost seems automatic for the Blue and White because it has been rare for it not to happen.

But the Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (23-7 overall) came into the post-season fully aware that upsets do happen. But Highlands made sure that did not happen on its home court scoring 11 points in the final 2:30 of the first quarter and cruising to a sound 69-35 36th District semifinal win over the Dayton Lady Devils (14-17) on Tuesday.

Bluebirds Split with Beechwood

Highlands Girls Hoops Hangs On for Region Win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Kenzie Nehus (3) makes a move toward the basket in a recent game. Highlands beat Beechwood, 42-39 on Friday to finish the regular season 22-7 overall.

The Blue and White know a game like Friday could mean the end of the season with the post-season on the horizon.

But the important thing is it came in the last game of the regular season and the Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (22-7 overall) came away with a 42-39 9th Region victory Friday in Fort Mitchell. The Bluebirds moved to 11-4 in region action with their 11th victory in 12 games and seventh straight win over the Lady Tigers (4-23) in seven seasons. Highlands also equaled the win totals of the last two seasons.

Bluebirds Build Momentum for Post-Season

Highlands Dominates Villa Madonna

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Carl Schoellman poses with his parents for Senior Night on Thursday. Schoellman scored nine points in the team's 61-31 domination of Villa Madonna.

It was more than an expected domination for the Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team.

The Bluebirds handled the Villa Madonna Blue Lightning, 61-31 in Fort Thomas on Thursday for the Senior Night win. They honored seniors Robby Gabbard, Tyler Gulley, Griffin Huber, Jacob Noe, Carl Schoellman and Adam Uhlenbrock before the game.

Monday Highlands Basketball Notes

Highlands Girls Record Huge Road Win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Hanna Buecker sets up for a shot in a recent game. Buecker scored 10 points in the big Bluebird 66-63 road win at Simon Kenton on Monday.

These two girls basketball programs have veteran head coaches and assistants that hold the players to high standards.

With everyone from the players at the lower levels to the administrators buying into those philosophies equaling solid alignments, it has led to a lot of success. So when they come together on the same court, it often makes for a great game and Monday's edition in Independence brought just that.

But the Highlands Bluebirds (21-7 overall) did enough to beat the Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers, 66-63 in non-region action. Highlands has won 10 of its last 11 games and beat Simon Kenton (15-9) for the first time in Independence since a 48-45 victory on Feb. 19, 2010 when Katie Allen, Bekah Towles and Hope Cutter were seniors. The home team proceeded to win the next six meetings until Simon Kenton came to Fort Thomas and recorded a 73-30 win.