Highlands freshman Lady Birds move to 23-2 on the year by winning the NKY freshman championship at Notre Dame last night.

 

The Lady Birds beat Holy Cross in the finals 39-35. The game was intense throughout and didn’t feel like a freshman game, as kids on both sides made play after play. It was a tight game in the first half with several lead changes that found the Birds on top at halftime 19-18.

 

The Birds came out of the locker room strong after the half, hitting a couple threes and getting some easy looks with their speed. They pushed the lead to about 8 where it stayed about 6-8 for most of the second half. With two minutes to go, the Birds were up 8 and HC started to foul. The strategy worked as the Birds struggled mightily from the line down the stretch. HC was able to cut the lead to 2 (I think) before Morgan Coffey went to the line to bury two free throws with seconds left and put it out of reach finally.

 

This was a very entertaining game. Trinity McClendon and Sydney Thomas were a load! McClendon is a treat to watch. She’s gonna be a good one. And if you haven’t seen Thomas, you’re in for a treat. She is BIG with good hands and a very nice touch…and only a 7th grader! Other contributors were Piper Murphy and Piper Macke. I don’t know the other ladies name, but she was a hustler for sure. HC has a really nice team.

 

As for Highlands, they have a really nice freshman group, as well as two nice 8th graders Megan Walz and Maggie Hinegardner. The team is led by the three amigos Chloe Jansen, Hanna Buecher and Morgan Coffey. These three have excellent skills, are quick, strong and play very physical. They are a load to deal at the freshman level. They also have two really nice guards in Olivia Gessner and Ashley Hayes. Add Barth to this class and the future is very bright for the Lady Birds!

 

Coach Joe Finnegan did a great job preparing these girls and putting the game plan together that lets these kids excel. Congrats coach!

 

Notre Dame did a great job hosting. The school should be proud.

 

All tournament team:

 

Morgan Coffey (MVP) - Highlands

Chloe Jansen - Highlands

Hanna Buecher - Highlands

Trinity McClendon – Holy Cross

Sydney Thomas – Holy Cross

Abby Hoppius – Notre Dame

Joy Strange - Conner

Congrats to Highlands for winning the freshman tournament and HC for making it to the finals both teams look to make noise in the next couple of years.

 

I thought Chloe was playing strictly varsity when did she get moved down?

Congratulations the Lady Birds and Coach Finnegan! Love that guy! Go Birds! :angrybird12:

Congrats to Highlands for winning the freshman tournament and HC for making it to the finals both teams look to make noise in the next couple of years.

 

I thought Chloe was playing strictly varsity when did she get moved down?

 

She has played Freshman all year. She plays freshman and varsity because they only have 5 freshman that play. Barth plays varsity only because she starts.

Thanks for some reason there was a game I didn't think she played freshman. Good win for the Birds.

Thanks for some reason there was a game I didn't think she played freshman. Good win for the Birds.

 

You could be right. With all the injuries, there were some games that she started. When she started, she didn't play freshman and the freshman would just play with 6.

Congrats Lady Birds and Coach Finn !

Congrats to the Lady Birds on their freshmen championship. The pipeline for 9th region basketball over the next couple of years is going to be exciting as some exit and others hit the stage. These two teams along with some others have a wonderful talent pool. The competition will be fierce and fans will be treated!

@RCC9 Trinity Mc is the younger sister of Dajah. I look forward to her growth along with some others in the region and state!

Congrats to the Lady Birds on their freshmen championship. The pipeline for 9th region basketball over the next couple of years is going to be exciting as some exit and others hit the stage. These two teams along with some others have a wonderful talent pool. The competition will be fierce and fans will be treated!

@RCC9 Trinity Mc is the younger sister of Dajah. I look forward to her growth along with some others in the region and state!

 

Well I really like her game. If she could improve going left and finishing on that side, she would be almost unguardable 1:1.

I agree.