Published: May 18, 2009 12:10 am      

MARK MAYNARD: Highlands gives job to Flynn

Former Ashland boys’ basketball head coach Mike Flynn is back in the game.

Flynn was named Friday as the new head coach at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas.

Flynn took the Tomcats to consecutive 16th Region titles in 2001 and 2002, defeating new rival Rose Hill Christian and O.J. Mayo for the ’02 championship that he said was his most gratifying. The Royals and Mayo beat Flynn’s Tomcats in the 2003 regional finals after losing to them in the 64th District finals. Flynn went 3-3 against Rose Hill in the two Mayo years.

Flynn is one of only five head coaches to take three different teams to the State Tournament. He also led Holmes and Warren Central to the Sweet Sixteen before coming to Ashland for a 10-year coaching stint – the longest in Tomcat history.

Flynn, who left Ashland two years ago, has a record of 429-243. He coached at Bourbon County immediately after leaving Ashland but didn’t coach anywhere last season.

He actually did some officiating on the JV level in the Cincinnati area before getting the coaching itch again.

OK, Tomcat fans. Better stop reading here.

Here’s a statement by Flynn from a Highlands’ press release: “It’s very gratifying to know that my last job as a Kentucky high school basketball coach will also be the best job I’ve had as a Kentucky high school basketball coach.”

How about that Tomcat fans?

All joking aside, Flynn was one of my favorite coaches while here. I always appreciated his insight and candor. He did a fantastic job at Ashland, which is no easy place to coach. I wish him the best at Highlands.

Cannon silenced

For the past 40 years, opponents have come to hate the sound of the 800-pound cannon blasting away after every Fort Thomas Highlands’ touchdown.

Fans at Ashland, Russell and Lawrence County have heard the cannon more times than they care to remember.

Well, earplugs are no longer necessary when playing the Bluebirds.

The Fort Thomas School Board last week unanimously banned explosives and ceremonial weapons from school property.

The action was taken after a cannon at Highlands High School discharged in December while it was being loaded, injuring a man who helped fire it.

The man who lost three fingers, Steve Roller, told the Kentucky Enquirer he doesn’t want the cannon banned because of his accident.

Football coach Dale Mueller said he would not have allowed the cannon’s return as long as he coached the team.

Webb update

According to a note at the end of an AP story on Saturday’s Diamondbacks-Braves game, Arizona manager A.J. Hinch said Brandon Webb, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder since his opening day start, “did great” while throwing in the batting cage before the game.

Webb also threw from 60 feet for about five minutes on Friday with no problems.

However, he’s still probably a month from returning to the D-Back rotation. Webb will likely have a rehab start or two before coming back around mid-June.

Webb, who turned 30 earlier this month, and wife Alicia are expecting their second child in August.

Comets speak English

West Carter has a new head coach in girls’ basketball.

The school selected Tex English, a former girls’ assistant coach and the junior varsity boys’ coach the last two years, to take over for Von Perry, who resigned for health reasons during the season.

Be looking for a story on English later this week.

Postseason play

Postseason baseball and softball begin this week at selected sites.

The district winners and runners-up advance to 16th Region tournaments next week in Morehead (baseball) and Olive Hill (softball).

The regional baseball champion plays a best-of-3 series against the 15th Region champion on June 1, 3 and 5 at Pikeville in Semi-State 8. That winner plays the Semi-State 2 champion (Third Region and Fourth Region) in the opening game of the State Tournament at Applebee’s Park in Lexington on June 11.

The regional softball champion advances to the State Tournament on June 5-6 at Jack Fisher Park in Owensboro. The 16th Region plays the 7th Region at 10 a.m. (EST) in the tournament opener.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.