Final from NKU.Conner was led by Courtney Hurst with 19 and Maddie Burcham with 15.

Nice win for the lady cougars, good to get any first game jitters out of the way. Now they have plenty of time to prepare for a different style of play in the lady bulldogs of Holmes.

Tough loss for Highlands. Conner was very effective at denying Barth, and since most of Highlands offense went through her all year, it's tough when they have to find other ways to score. Brooke Dill, Highlands lone senior, closes out a nice career with a strong won-loss record and district championships, just a little unlucky that Highlands drew the 33rd district runner up 2 years in a row. Over Highlands last 15 games, they were 13-2, their only losses, including this one, coming at the hands of Conner (and that record included quality wins over Campbell County, Simon Kenton and Holmes).

 

Good luck to Conner as they attempt to get to the finals where they may face their district rival in a rematch.

 

For Brooke Dill, she still has a season of quality softball ahead of her. Good luck leading Highlands as a regional contender on the diamond.

Little surprised to see Highlands go out early in the region again. For the Highlands fans what seems to be the problem when this team gets to the region tournament? Is it the college floor of BB&T arena or what. They win a lot during the regular season but bow out early in the region. Just going back to 2010-11 season I see region titles by Boone Co, Ncc(2), Notre Dame, Holy Cross, Holmes(2), and likely this year Ryle has a good chance to join in. Isn't like one team is dominating.

Highlands will be back next year with Macke getting a full year of Varsity. Their district isnt very strong but with the knowledge they have on the coaching staff, they will be hard to beat. Not to mention Barth who I expect to be in the running for Regional Player of the Year.

Highlands will be back next year with Macke getting a full year of Varsity. Their district isnt very strong but with the knowledge they have on the coaching staff, they will be hard to beat. Not to mention Barth who I expect to be in the running for Regional Player of the Year.

 

Both Conner and Ryle return most of their team. I would expect those two to be the teams to beat again next year.

Everyone forgets that Ryle returns 4 starters next season with 2 girls on that team that could easily go 1 and 2 as 9th region players of the year even though it does to a senior. I would consider them the favorite next season but lets see how this season ends first before we jump to next season. Next season could is a long way off and with the way transfers goes who knows who will get what.

 

Just Sayin.

Everyone forgets that Ryle returns 4 starters next season with 2 girls on that team that could easily go 1 and 2 as 9th region players of the year even though it does to a senior. I would consider them the favorite next season but lets see how this season ends first before we jump to next season. Next season could is a long way off and with the way transfers goes who knows who will get what.

 

Just Sayin.

I believe Ryle returns all 5 starters next year! Wow!

I believe they actually return their top 7/8 players. Not in a rush to get to next season yet.

I believe they actually return their top 7/8 players. Not in a rush to get to next season yet.

Ryle 2017-18 Season

Starting 5

 

Junior

Junior

Sophomore

Sophomore

Freshman

 

Bench (That usually get in)

8th Grader (usually first sub)

Junior

Junior

Junior

Little surprised to see Highlands go out early in the region again. For the Highlands fans what seems to be the problem when this team gets to the region tournament? Is it the college floor of BB&T arena or what. They win a lot during the regular season but bow out early in the region. Just going back to 2010-11 season I see region titles by Boone Co, Ncc(2), Notre Dame, Holy Cross, Holmes(2), and likely this year Ryle has a good chance to join in. Isn't like one team is dominating.

 

Birds always have solid teams, but has there been a year that they are the favorite?

Birds always have solid teams, but has there been a year that they are the favorite?

 

Wasn't they considered one of the favorites a few years ago. When they had a very talented class that went through.

Wasn't they considered one of the favorites a few years ago. When they had a very talented class that went through.

 

I don't recall them ever being the favorite. Always a contender, but never the favorite; however, that is why I asked the question.

I don't recall them ever being the favorite. Always a contender, but never the favorite; however, that is why I asked the question.

 

In 2014/15 they went 30-4 and lost to HCross in semis of 9th regional. Holy Cross then beat Holmes who went 30-3 and Holy Cross eventually won state to finish 33-3. Can't ever remember 3 teams in NoKy, boys or girls, winning 30 games in the same season.

 

In 2015/16 Highlands went 22-11 and lost to Ryle in the 2nd round of the 9th regional. Ryle was 24-7 and lost to Holmes in the 9th regional championship. Holmes lost in quarters of the state to Mercer Co. who was 31-6 and lost in the semis to Franklin Co. who was 30-5 and lost to eventual state champ Butler.

 

In 2016/17 Highlands lost to Cooper in the 1st round. Cooper went into the regional as a district runnerup to Conner. Cooper ended up losing the regional championship to Holmes who eventaully lost to Franklin Co. in the state semis. Mercer Co. then beat Franklin Co in the state championship.

 

So to your point I guess that they probably were not the favorites in any of those years. They lost in the regular season 2014/15 to Holy Cross, 2015/16 they lost in the regular season to Holmes and in 2016/17 they did beat Holmes during the season but then lost to Cooper in the regional.

Might want to go back to Katie Allen/Bekah Towles teams 08-09-10 .... They had very, very good records and might have been favorite ... Also, they lost in Regional final to Notre dame one year ....