Bluebirds Finish Third in NKY Tournament

Gabbard Takes Medalist Honors with 69 Score

Twitter Photo. The Highlands Boys Golf team finished third in the Northern Kentucky Tournament on Sunday. Sophomore Justin Gabbard took medalist honors shooting a 69.

The Blue and White shot for a third tournament championship in three days.

But the Highlands Bluebirds boys golf team fell five strokes short of it. Highlands shot a 319 in the Northern Kentucky Tournament at the Northern Kentucky Golf Course in Butler on Sunday.

Strong Day in Warsaw for Highlands Golf

Highlands Boys Win, Toole Takes Third in Birdie Bash

Highlands Twitter Photo. The Highlands girls golf team participated in the Walton-Verona Birdie Bash on Saturday. Freshman KJ Toole took third overall shooting an 85 in the 18-hole tournament out of 50 golfers.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys and girls golf teams ventured to Warsaw on Saturday for the Birdie Bash Tournament hosted by Walton-Verona.

The Highlands boys won their second tournament in two days while the girls had three compete individually. Four golfers are needed to form a team.

Crown in First Golf Tournament for Highlands Boys

Bluebirds Win Bullitt East Invitational

Contributed Photo. The Highlands Bluebirds boys golf team won the Bullitt East Invitational on Friday in its first outing of the season.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys golf team found itself facing a force of nature in its first golf tournament of the season.

But the Bluebirds overcame it on their way to the Bullitt East Invitational Tournament championship Friday at Tanglewood Golf Course in Taylorsville located southeast of Louisville. Highlands shot a 302 to win the 21-team tournament beating the likes of 2017 state tournament qualifying teams in 2017 8th Region champion Grant County, Owensboro Catholic and LaRue County as well as Estill County, Louisville DuPont Manual, Louisville Eastern and Shelby County.

"They did a really good job of showing some mental toughness," said Bert Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "There were a lot of teams that fell apart in the last five or six holes and our kids did a good job of staying composed and not letting their mistakes compound. J.D and Luke played really well. The wind really picked up and started blowing hard. If you didn't hit it solid, it went off-line a lot more than normal."

Highlands Continues Post-Season Domination

Bluebirds Record Third Straight Post-Season Run-Ruling

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Joe Steiden reacts after recording a huge hit in the 9th Region quarterfinals against Dixie Heights on Monday. Highlands won 11-0 in five innings.

Through two post-season baseball games, this was the result for the Blue and White.

Highlands 31, Opponents 1.

That amounted to an average run differential of 15 in two run-rulings as the Highlands Bluebirds (24-13 overall) smashed their way to a seventh straight 36th District championship. The 9th Region quarterfinal match-up against Dixie Heights (11-20) had the makings for a similar result and turned out that way. The Bluebirds run-ruled the Colonels, 11-0 in five innings at University of Cincinnati Medical Center Stadium to record their 13th straight region win and fifth straight region quarterfinal victory on a hot day. Highlands has outscored its three post-season opponents, 42-1 for an average run differential of between 13 and 14 per game.

Tight Battle for Highlands to Open Region Tournament

Bluebirds Etch Out Close Win over Lady Rebels

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands eighth grader Addie Mack makes a diving stop in the 9th Region quarterfinals against Boone County on Monday. Mack had two hits and a run batted in to help the Bluebirds to a 2-1 win.

Facing arguably the best pitcher in the 9th Region in senior Olivia Jackson, the Highlands Bluebirds softball players knew they had to match the Boone County Lady Rebels (15-12 overall) stride-for-stride defensively because runs could be at a premium.

Highlands (19-10) took a 1-0 lead into the top of the seventh inning, lost it, but found a way to scratch one across in the bottom of the 10th to pull off a 2-1 victory in the 9th Region quarterfinals at Veterans Memorial Park in Newport on Monday.

Region Tournament Draws Go Fine For Bluebird Baseball, Softball

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Ethan Kavanagh snags a ground ball during the district tournament against Newport. Highlands takes on Dixie Heights at University of Cincinnati Medical Center Ballpark on Monday at 7 p.m. in the 9th Region Quarterfinals.

Teams always know they will face one of three teams going into the 9th Region draws.

But based on records, match-ups among other teams, teams hope to receive the best possibility of advancing past the region quarterfinals. On Saturday, the Highlands baseball team received a good draw and the softball team did not receive the best draw, but it may be a good thing. Both teams drew the latest start time Memorial Day.

More District Championships Added to Highlands Trophy Case

Bluebird Baseball, Softball Claim Crowns in Different Ways

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Taylar Lorenzen receives a five from Head Coach Rob Coffey after a three-run home run in the second inning. The Bluebirds beat Dayton, 10-7 to win the 36th District championship.

Both Blue and White squads smashed their way into the district championship games.

It turned into a matter of the heavily favored Highlands Bluebirds baseball and softball teams bringing home more 36th District gold trophies and earning the best possible seeds in the 9th Region Quarterfinals on Thursday. Both teams did it in two completely different fashions bringing the total to six district championships out of the the seven 36th District sports for the most in an academic calendar year since the soccer teams went to that format starting in 2012-13.