Bellevue’s record-setting season continued with a dramatic win in the 36th District Tournament when Jaylah Dowell scored in the final seconds to lift the Tigers to a 53-51 over Newport Central Catholic.
Bellevue (22-8) added to the school record for most wins in a season and will be playing in the 9th Region Tournament for the first time since 2010. The Tigers also broke at least a 28-game losing streak against NewCath. The KHSAA web site keeps scores all the way back to the 1998-1999 season.
Dowell finished with 13 points to lead the Tigers while three others also hit double figures in the victory. Sydni Massey added 12 points, Jayda Dowell finished with 11 points and Ally MacPherson chipped in 10.
Bellevue takes on Highlands back at Newport on Thursday for the district championship at 7 p.m.
NewCath finished the season 19-12, winning the Stephanie Wilson Memorial Tournament in December. The Thoroughbreds graduate three seniors in Emma Beck, Delaney Green and Emma Cleves.
36th District Semifinals at Newport
Highlands 61, Newport 21
The Bluebirds soundly knocked off the hosts to extend their region-best streak of 14 straight region tournament appearances.
Nine different Highlands players scored in the win. Marissa Green led the way with 14 points and Saylor Macke scored 12.
Highlands (20-8) meets Bellevue for the district championship on Thursday at 7 p.m.
DeAyjah White scored 15 points in the final game of her career for Newport. She is the lone senior to graduate for the Wildcats.
34th District Semifinals at Villa Madonna
Dixie Heights 62, Lloyd Memorial 35
The Colonels cruised to another district title match behind Catherine Buddenberg’s 19 points.
Dixie saw eight different players score. Jalynn Brooks scored 13 points with Abby Thelen scoring nine in addition to Avery Moore and Bella Crawford scoring eight each.
Dixie Heights (17-12) battles St. Henry for the district championship Thursday at 7 p.m.
Lloyd Memorial finished 14-18 on the season. Sierra McCoin scored 16 points in her final game for the Juggernauts. McCoin along with teammates Brooklyn Auclerc, Keirstyn Young and Brooklynne Scott graduate this spring.
St. Henry 50, Ludlow 30
The Crusaders locked in defensively to advance to Thursday’s championship.
Taylor Hill led St. Henry with 20 points and Kayla Unkraut scored 15.
St. Henry (15-13) faces Dixie Heights on Thursday at 7 p.m. for the district championship.
Ludlow concludes the season 17-14. The Panthers graduate Olivia King, Prestyn King, Zay Behanan, Lilly Dehnert, Ava Hoffmeister, Cheree Pence and Alisa Stamm from the team.
35th District at Holmes
Holy Cross 84, Holmes 13
The Indians were stingy as they won an 11th consecutive district semifinal game in convincing fashion.
Thirteen different Holy Cross players scored in the win. Aaliyah Hayes led the way with 14 points and Aniyah Carter scored nine.
Holy Cross (26-5) takes on Notre Dame for the district crown on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Natashalee Cole led Holmes (2-27) with eight points. Anjali Faehr is the lone senior on the Bulldog roster.
Notre Dame 58, Beechwood 12
The Pandas dominated defensively on their way to a sixth straight district tournament championship appearance.
Notre Dame had 24 steals off 35 Beechwood turnovers. Amelia Stallard and Maya Lawrie led the Pandas with four thefts each.
Notre Dame also won the rebounding battle, 33-17. Sophia Gibson led the Pandas with 13 points with Ryan Burden and Kendra Collins scoring eight each. Kate Resing had a game-high eight rebounds.
Notre Dame (20-8) takes on Holy Cross for the district championship on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Beechwood (9-22) graduates just one senior in Riley Boyd.