Ryle boys basketball coach Nick Dorning still remembers his first 33rd District game, when former Cooper coach Tim Sullivan greeted him with a warning and a welcome: “Welcome to the 33rd District.” It wasn’t just an introduction, it was a reminder of how competitive the district is, and that reminder isn’t going away. Ryle and […]
Author Archives: Josh Kalb
Posted inFootball
Newport halts Holy Cross’ historic season in Class 1A playoffs
Newport entered Friday night fully aware of Holy Cross’ undefeated and historic run — an 11-0 record and the program’s first-ever perfect regular season. The Wildcats spent the week preparing specifically to put the Indians in a position they hadn’t experienced much this year: playing from behind. “They’re a good team with great athletes, and […]
Posted inSoccer
Highlands’ resilient season ends in state title loss to Sacred Heart
Highlands had heart. It was that heart that carried the Bluebirds to the KHSAA girls soccer state championship at Lexington SC Stadium, though they ultimately fell 3-0 to back-to-back champions Sacred Heart. The Bluebirds’ season got off to a rough start, with just three wins in their first 12 games. Yet the team’s determination propelled […]
Posted inVolleyball
Family ties and title highs: Scott reigns again in the 10th
The 10th Region volleyball championship trophy keeps finding its way back to Taylor Mill. Scott captured back-to-back titles — and its seventh region crown since joining the region in 2012 — by defeating George Rogers Clark on the Cardinals’ home floor in Winchester, 3-1 (25-19, 25-15, 22-25, 26-24) Thursday night. The senior group of Milyn […]
Posted inVolleyball
Another chapter in the Notre Dame-St. Henry rivalry ends in a title classic
Yankees vs. Dodgers. Celtics vs. Lakers. Notre Dame vs. St. Henry volleyball. Some rivalries are bigger than the moment — they’re traditions. In northern Kentucky volleyball, few matchups carry more weight than when the Pandas and Crusaders meet for another 9th Region championship. “We knew St. Henry was going to be a battle,” Notre Dame […]
Posted inVolleyball
Different year, same story: St. Henry and Notre Dame back in title game
Notre Dame and St. Henry making it to the 9th Region championship is like clockwork. The Pandas swept Ryle in straight sets, while the Crusaders took down Beechwood in four during Tuesday night’s semifinals at Ryle. The results set up the 16th championship meeting between the two programs since 2003. The title match is scheduled […]
Posted inFootball
Ryle steadies after slow start, rolls past Simon Kenton
It took a few big plays, a steady hand from their stars, and a defense that refused to crack, but Ryle found its rhythm just when it mattered most. The Raiders captured their third straight regular-season district championship with a 41-13 victory over Simon Kenton Friday night at Clifford R. Borland Sr. Stadium in Union. […]
Posted inVolleyball
Notre Dame Again: Pandas roll past Beechwood for district title
NDA stands for Notre Dame Academy, though in the 35th District Tournament, it’s come to mean Notre Dame Again — as the Pandas kept their crown in familiar hands. Since the 35th District was formed with its current lineup of teams, Notre Dame has continued to reign year after year. Even in a top-five matchup […]
Posted inSoccer
Simon Kenton’s title hopes end in heartbreaking double OT defeat
From the 14th minute to the final two minutes of regulation, Simon Kenton held a 1-0 lead in the 8th Region girls soccer title game, seemingly on track for the program’s first trip to the state tournament since 2020. Since last season, the goal had been clear: win the region, especially with a senior class […]
Posted inFootball
All it took was six in Newport’s district victory over Bellevue
It would take less time to walk from Bellevue’s football field to Newport’s than there were points scored between the two, and once someone did, that was all it took. In a game where points came at a premium, Newport struck first and last with a single first-quarter touchdown to outlast Bellevue, 6-0, in a […]