In the year 2025, sports once again helped bring us together.
From championship runs and record-breaking performances to unforgettable buzzer-beaters and breakout stars, high school sports in Northern Kentucky once again delivered moments that defined the year. Local athletes etched their names into school and regional history, teams rose to the occasion on the biggest stages, and longtime programs reached milestones that will be remembered well beyond the final whistle. Whether it was packed gyms, roaring football stadiums or tense postseason showdowns, 2025 reminded us that some of the most compelling sports stories in Northern Kentucky are written at the high school level — where pride runs deep and every game matters.
Here are the top sports stories in Northern Kentucky for 2025:
Dave Trosper
The longtime Conner football coach died unexpectedly in June.
Paul Van Laningham
Not only was it another state title, but the Cooper senior shattered the cross country state record in doing so.
Notre Dame in wild ending of state volleyball tourney
Failing to convert on three championship points, Notre Dame was a point away from winning their 11th state title in program history. Instead, it was Assumption taking a thrilling five-set victory, one in which the final point had some controversy behind it as a late whistle decided the final point.
NKY shut out from football state finals for first time since 1978Â
Beechwood, Ryle and Lloyd Memorial all came up short in the semifinals, shutting out Northern Kentucky from the state championship games for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Cooper’s Tim Sullivan leads team to region final, then gets non-renewed
Not sure I’ve ever seen a case where a coach leads a team to a region title and then the school decides not to keep him…it drew the ire of the community, the region and even the state.
Sullivan landed on his feet quickly, taking over for Dave Faust at St. Henry.
Holy Cross softball gives small schools hope
The Lady Indians shocked the region by defeating Highlands on their way to a 9th Region title.
Lexi Held is a proÂ
Cooper grad Lexi Held made an WNBA roster, playing for the Phoenix Mercury. Held played in 32 games, averaging 5.3 points.
Taylen Kinney 6-7
Did you know 6-7 was the word of the year according to Dictionary.com? Former Newport basketball standout Taylen Kinney was a big reason why.
Oh, and Kinney, a top 15 prospect in the 2026 class, committed to Kansas as well.
Krumpelbeck retiresÂ
Covington Catholic baseball coach Bill Krumpelbeck, the second winningest coach in KHSAA baseball history, retired after the 2025 season.
Faust retiresÂ
Longtime St. Henry boys basketball coach Dave Faust retired in April. Photo provided | Robert Lux
Longtime St. Henry boys basketball coach Dave Faust retired in April. Faust had been at post for the Crusaders for 33 years and is the 9th Region all-time wins leader with 482 career victories.Â
Dayton, Bellevue last of grassÂ
Touch grass! All football playing surfaces in Northern Kentucky in Boone, Campbell and Kenton County are now on grass. Dayton and Bellevue were two of the last to do so.
St. Henry inaugural football seasonÂ
St. Henry played their inaugural varsity football game in August and ended up making the playoffs and winning three games in their first season.
Cam O’Hara shatters NKY passing records
Cooper’s Cam O’Hara can claim NKY passing king.
Arena football coming back to NKYÂ
Arena football is coming back to Northern Kentucky!
CovCath-Highlands thriller on the gridiron
With 41 seconds to play, Covington Catholic led Highlands 28-24 on what appeared to be a game-winning touchdown run by Cash Harney. Then Highlands answered with a touchdown with three seconds to play to add another exciting chapter to the historic rivalry.
Simon Kenton stuns Sacred HeartÂ
The Lady Pioneers stopped Sacred Heart’s streak of 92 straight wins over in-state opponents.