It is the District Finals.
The stands are filled, with the Bluebirds up by 34, and the buzzer sounds. Suddenly, they are District Champions once again.
Last year, the LadyBirds took care of the Bellvue Tigers in the district finals, winning 71-37.
The Highlands Girls Basketball Program is a part of the 36th District and takes place in the tournament every year post-season. The girls have won the tournament in the last two years.
The tournament will be the week of February 24, with the district semi-finals occurring on February 25, 2025, and the finals on February 27, 2025. These games will take place at Newport Central Catholic (NCC).
In the two previous district finals they have played in they have won by over 30, beating Bellevue in 2024 and NCC in 2023.
“I will never forget my favorite district win in 2007. We beat an NCC team that was one of the top teams in the region that year,” Head Coach and Business Teacher, Jaime Richey said.
This season so far, the LadyBirds have already secured the 1 seed, being (3-0) in District matchups, beating Dayton, Bellevue, and NCC.
The LadyBird’s first game of districts will be played on February 25, 2025, at NCC.
“We have an excellent team this year at Highlands and we have what it takes to win districts and region. When my team is at our best we are unstoppable,” Ty Berry (12) said.
The LadyBirds’ record for the regular season is (19-8). This is the best record that they have had in the past few years.
The team played their last regular season game on Thursday, February 20, 2025, against Beechwood, winning 63-35.
(Jenna Richey)
The birds are led in scoring by Marissa Green (12), Maren Orme (9), and Kaylee Mills (11). These three players have been the leading scorers in nearly every game.
This season, the team chemistry is undeniable.
“There has been a strong sense of trust between me and my teammates, we always high-five each other, play selflessly and all look for the best team shot rather than individual glory,” Mills said.
A key matchup to be watching for this year in the district is Highlands and NCC. They have faced off once this season, and the LadyBirds came out on top, winning the game 62-43.
The Birds’ statistics have immensely improved over the past year. After only losing two seniors last year, they had lots of players returning. They have already scored more points total this season than they did last year, and still have more of the season to go. The Birds also have one of the best records in the 9th region, being (10-1).
“I’m most excited to win districts and compete in regions and hopefully win to make it to state,” Aubrey Barrett (12) said.
