By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Highlands girls’ basketball team won 14 of its last 15 games to raise its record to 24-7 going into the 9th Region tournament that starts Monday at BB&T Arena.
The Bluebirds’ only loss during that impressive run was to Conner (22-8), and that happens to be the team they’ll face in a regional first-round game at 8:30 p.m. Monday.
Conner defeated Highlands, 67-60, on Feb. 9. In the final Northern Kentucky coaches poll, the Cougars were No. 3 and the Bluebirds were No. 4 with one voting point separating the two teams. That sets the stage for what appears to be the best first-round game in the regional tournament bracket.
Junior guards Zoie Barth of Highlands and Courtney Hurst of Conner were among the top five players selected to the All 9th Region Team by local coaches.
Barth, who was also voted Division II Player of the Year, is averaging 19 points and six rebounds per game. Hurst has a 13-point average with more than 40 percent of her scoring coming on 3-point goals.
The opening game of the regional tournament will be two-time defending champion Holmes vs. St. Henry at 7 p.m. Monday. The lower bracket games on Tuesday are Dixie Heights vs. Newport Central Catholic at 7 p.m. and Ryle vs. Holy Cross at 8:30 p.m.
Ryle is the top-ranked team in the tournament. The Raiders have a 25-6 record that includes a 14-1 mark against 9th Region opponents. Dixie Heights defeated Ryle, 75-73, in double overtime on Jan. 5.
Advance tickets for 9th Region tournament games will be sold at the participating schools for $6. All tickets at the door will be $8.
Here are schedules for the 8th Region girls’ tournament that includes Walton-Verona and Simon Kenton and the 10th Region girls’ tournament that includes Campbell County and Scott:
8th REGION TOURNAMENT AT SIMON KENTON HIGH SCHOOL
Monday
Oldham County (21-7) vs. Gallatin County (18-12), 6:30 p.m.
Simon Kenton (17-10) vs. Spencer County (20-11), 8:15 p.m.
Tuesday
Anderson County (25-5) vs. South Oldham (19-11), 6 p.m.
Owen County (18-10) vs. Walton-Verona (23-9), 8:15 p.m.
Friday
Semifinal games, 6:30 and 8:15 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 6 p.m.
10th REGION TOURNAMENT AT MASON COUNTY FIELDHOUSE
Monday
Clark County (23-7) vs. Nicholas County (22-9), 6 p.m.
Campbell County (28-3) vs. Bracken County (10-21), 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Mason County (18-11) vs. Paris (22-9), 6 p.m.
Scott (17-14) vs. Harrison County (25-5), 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Semifinal games, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.