Outside of anyone not named Highlands and Newport Central Catholic, Newport was the last team to win a 36th District title in 2006.
Since then Highlands has won 11 district titles, NewCath with six. The two are expected to be the one’s again battling for a district title, but with Bellevue returning virtually their whole roster and Newport bringing in a new coach, the rest of the district is optimistic they can make a run at it.
Here’s a look at what’s in store in the 36th…
Highlands (23-9 in 2022-23)
The ascension continued in a big way for Highlands last season, going from 12 wins in 2021-22 to 23 in 2022-23.
“A lot of those girls were eighth graders and freshman then and now they’re sophomores and juniors,” Bluebirds coach Jaime Richey said. “While last year we saw a lot of success, there’s still a lot of work in the growth process.”
The Bluebirds return seven of their top nine from last season’s team with Alyssa Harris graduating and Adrienne Harris moving out of state.
No doubt that Marissa Green holds the keys to success, the junior post player a nightly double-double threat and has even recorded some triple-doubles. Her presence in the paint is daunting to the opponent, constantly erasing shots and pulling down rebounds.
With an improved offensive game, Green should show even more progression heading into her fourth season of varsity basketball. College coaches are taking notice as well, Green holding numerous Division I offers.
“Her outside shooting is improving,” Richey said. “We won’t have issues if she takes the outside shot. She knows she has to keep working at being the best version of herself. She needs to rebound outside her area. The goal every game should be a double-double. We set high goals for her to go after.”
Green’s impact will certainly dictate a lot of things, but guard play will be the biggest x-factor of determining their success. Saylor Macke, Kaylee Mills, Katie Bucher, Avery Barber and Aubrey Barrett all return for a backcourt that now has plenty of experience.
“They know they have to improve to get where we want to go. We’ll play to their strengths which is their quickness and go from there,” Richey said.
Improved guard play will show the growth process. Early on in practice so far, the staff has seen those flashes.
“Some practices we look at each other as a coaching staff and say they’re really getting it. They’re understanding how important skills are. We’re doing these drills to put in place for games and scrimmages and we’ll see one of the girls make a combo move and we’re like ‘finally’,” Richey said. “They’re understanding the process and making them the best players they can be.”
If you’re planning on watching Highlands in Fort Thomas, you’ll have to wait a while. Their first 14 games are on the road with their home debut not coming until Jan. 13. Until then they’ll play in the Donna Murphy Classic at Newport, the Ronald McDonald House Classic at Oldham County, the Lady Invitation of the South at Allen County-Scottsville and a Classic at Franklin County. They’ll certainly be tested around the state in those contests.
The big district tilt with Newport Central Catholic comes on Jan. 19.
Newport Central Catholic (17-11 in 2022-23)
Dan Albrinck is one of two new faces in the district, replacing Ralph Meyer after five seasons at the helm.
Albrinck inherits a team that returns six of their top seven players from last season’s team that finished runner-up in the district before a region quarterfinal loss to eventual champion Cooper.
The amount returning has made the transition smooth for Albrinck, having Caroline Eaglin back certainly helps too.
“We will be an energetic, aggressive team that is a lot of fun to watch,” Albrinck said. “Caroline Eaglin is a fantastic player and is working hard to improve her team contributions on both ends of the court and as a leader of the team on and off the court.”
Eaglin was one of the state’s leading scorers as a sophomore, pouring in 24.8 points per game.
What complements Eaglin will determine how much improvement the Thoroughbreds will show. Delaney Green and Jaylee Brannen both averaged a shade over seven points per game while Katelyn Brannen was tied with her sister Jaylee for the team lead in rebounds with just over five a contest. Albrinck is expecting Madison McFarland to make a jump this season while Kendall Thompson, Kori Reckers, Brooklyn Cole and Alaina Albrinck all saw at least 18 games of action last season.
“All of these returning players will be vital to our initial success and all through the season,” Albrinck said. “The strengths of our team will be our depth, intensity and teamwork.”
NewCath opens the season on Nov. 27 with Augusta. Tests against Notre Dame (Nov. 29) and Dixie Heights (Dec. 15) follow before they’ll look to defend the Stephanie Wilson Memorial Tournament championship Dec. 28-30 at Bellevue.
They open the 9th Region All “A” Classic on Jan. 4 with Villa Madonna, the Thoroughbreds expected to be one of the teams to give the most resistance to defending champ Holy Cross.
Newport (11-15 in 2022-23)
Marcus Harris enters the picture in the head coach seat, taking over for Beau Menefee after three seasons with the team.
Unlike NewCath, Harris will virtually have to start from scratch as a few players have decided to not return to the team and leading scorer Elexis Litton graduated.
A good place to start will be with DeAyjah White, despite an injury shortened season last year, White put up 14 points and 13.1 rebounds a game in 13 games played last season.
“DeAyjah White is our leader on and off the court,” Harris said. “We will only go as she leads us. She has really improved her jump shot and ball handling skills to add to her already impressive post game.”
From there will be a lot of new faces as second leading scorer Kaylen Perry transferred to Scott County and Kaylee Miller and Rayona Lindsey decided not to play this season. Harris is looking for players like Aujiana Cook, Brooklyn Hunt, Amariana Cook and Maleaha Thompson to help with scoring and ball handling; Layla Feinauer, Asia Powell, Myionah Evans and Kailey Fisk to help on the defensive end of the floor and eighth graders Liniya Belford and Sophia Cole to bring energy and size down in the post.
“Every member of the team will be called upon to get us to our team goals,” Harris said. “My coaching philosophy is very simple…work hard and results will come. Our identity will be that of a team that will run the floor and cause havoc on both ends of the floor.”
Harris knows this year is a work in progress and a step towards the future with just two seniors on the roster, but one thing he’s made certain, his team will come to work.
“What we lack in experience, we make up with heart, grit and toughness,” Harris said. “This group works hard and are very good people to be around. They are unselfish when it comes to scoring as we have seen over the summer and so far, this pre-season. Third, their shooting ability has really improved and will only get better.”
Bellevue (18-14 in 2022-23)
Bellevue won 18 games last season, the most since the 2017-18 season when they also won 18.
They have a chance to exceed that this year with 11 of 12 players returning from last year’s roster.
“There is a ton of excitement throughout the program with the return of everyone. From the start of day one, the energy has been different,” Tigers coach Tommy Sorrell said. “Coming off a season where we were co-Conference champs, the expectations are really high. The team has goals of winning the conference and make it to the regional tournament.”
In order to get to the regional tournament for the first time since 2010, the Tigers will need to most likely get past Newport Central Catholic. They played them to a tight nine-point loss last season.
“I believe our experience and depth with help with those big games,” Sorrell said.
Jayda and Jaylah Dowell along with Sydni Massey return as the leading scorers while Paulina Long and Ally MacPherson return to the starting lineup. Massey led the team with 13.2 points per game last season, Jayda Dowell at 10.7 and Jaylah Dowell at 9.8 points per game. Jayda Dowell is the returning leading rebounder while Long, Jaylah Dowell and Courtney McCarty pulled down at least five rebounds a game each.
“We’re going to show toughness and play fast. The girls have been pushing and challenging each other in practice which has been great to see,” Sorrell said. “With everyone returning and using depth to our advantage, we plan to play an up-tempo style this season.”
Outside of the typical NKAC conference games and district seed games, Sorrell said he’s most looking forward to playing teams like Bishop Brossart (Dec. 6) and Scott (Jan. 20).
The Tigers open the 9th Region All “A” Classic with St. Henry on Jan. 2. They’ll also host the Stephanie Wilson Memorial Holiday Tournament Dec. 28-30, opening up with Frankfort.
The one to circle comes Feb. 3 when they face Newport Central Catholic.
Dayton (8-23 in 2022-23)
The Greendevils have 10 players listed on the roster for the 2023-24 season, including returning leading scorers Zoe Sparks and Tayah Smith.
Dayton got off to a 5-8 start last season, but finished 3-15 the rest of the way. They last made the regional tournament in 2008.
Numerous attempts to reach out to coach Dave Hinton were unsuccessful.