As a member of last year’s state championship team, The Woodlands’ Luke Sherley became accustomed to playing as the favorite.

But this year was different. After graduating a slew of talented seniors, Sherley and the rest of the returning Highlanders felt like they still had something to prove.They proved plenty on Tuesday night, winning an outright District 14-5A title with a 5-3 victory over crosstown rival College Park on the Cavaliers’ home field. It was the program’s fourth straight league championship.

“This one is a little bit sweeter just because a lot of people didn’t think we could do it,” Sherley said. “But our goals are higher than just a district title.”

The Highlanders (23-5, 10-1) managed just five hits against College Park starter Beau Ridgeway, but a standout performance from The Woodlands’ relief pitcher Aaron Milone also shut down the Cavs’ offensive attack. Milone, a senior, threw four innings without giving up a hit or an earned run. click here for complete story