Ryle High School alum Chris Harpum kept his strong summer rolling with a fifth‑place tie at last month’s 113th Kentucky Men’s Amateur. The Belmont University standout shot 5‑under-par 211 at the University of Louisville Golf Club in Simpsonville. He finished seven shots back of winner Brady Smith, a Simpsonville native. “I didn’t play too bad,” […]
Author Archives: Marc Hardin
Posted inSports
Prep roundup: New basketball coach at Holmes, Dixie’s Pike honored, Villa stars moving on
The KHSAA Dead Period is in full effect, but news still happens. Here are some quick-hitters from around the area. Simpson Era begins at Holmes Holmes High School has chosen Kenneth “Kenny” Simpson III to lead its boys basketball program. With Simpson, the Bulldogs bring aboard a coach who already has strong roots within the […]
Posted inVolleyball
First-ever Covington Catholic volleyball coach leans into new job
Volleyball is a game of rotation, relentless energy, and keeping the ball alive at all costs. It’s a dynamic that former local prep and college player Tara Leen knows by heart. “I love the sport,” said Leen, the recently appointed head coach of the Covington Catholic High School boys volleyball team. “It’s a beautiful game.” […]
Posted inSoftball
Record-breaking slugger Payton Brown has Highlands softball on the cusp of history
It’s not as much of a problem anymore, but there was a time when Highlands High School softball standout Payton Brown had her first name misspelled. Not all the time, and usually by people outside her inner circle, but just enough to be annoying. “Oh, it still happens. But, yeah, not as much,” said Brown, […]
Posted inSports
Prep roundup: Soccer coaching hires, all-star game news and a former Bluebird soars back to the majors
CovCath’s Gaiser Senior Bowl MVP The Blue Team got a snappy performance from Covington Catholic running back Dylan Gaiser and beat the Red Team 23-22 at the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association’s newly christened senior all-star football game. The annual event, which raises scholarship money for graduating seniors, was Thursday at Dixie Heights High School. […]
Posted inBaseball
Red alert: Beechwood takes on Austin Kearns and his West Jessamine Colts in state baseball opener
Beechwood baseball stars Sawyer Carlisle and Brooks Becker and coach Kevin Gray are doing what they do best after winning the 9th Region championship: talking shop. The Tigers have just wrapped up practice, remaining laser-focused on their state championship goal. It has been a whirlwind season, and the seniors are glad to relax. “Love talking […]
Posted inBaseball
How the Camels found their mojo on the way to state
Now that Campbell County is back in the 2026 Baseball State Tournament presented by UK HealthCare, it’s easy to forget that the Camels started the prep season in a bit of a funk. Their record on April 15 following a 15-5 home loss to Covington Catholic stood at 7-6. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t […]
Posted inSoftball
Bluebirds ready to flex their muscles at state softball tournament
It’s dusk in Fort Thomas and sunshine is disappearing at Monday’s softball practice at Highlands High School. But the sun is not setting on the Bluebirds’ season, especially after winning yet another 9th Region championship. “We’re all really excited for the state tournament,” said .352-hitting second baseman Morgan Pompilio, one of four talented seniors for […]
Posted inGolf
Carter wins 86th Northern Kentucky Amateur Championship
Ben Carter is the latest local prep product to capture the area’s top men’s amateur golf prize. The former St. Henry High School standout won this week’s 86th Northern Kentucky Amateur Championship at Summit Hills Country Club in Crestview Hills. Carter finished the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association event with a three-day score of 6-under-par on […]
Posted inBasketball
New St. Henry girls basketball coach Kes Murphy talks hoops, family and fun ahead for The Cru
Time for trivia! Name the only sibling combo in the history of Kentucky high school athletics that has produced a Miss Kentucky Basketball award winner and a head coach who won a girls basketball state championship. If your answer is local legend Donna Murphy and brother Kes Murphy, please advance to the lightning round. But […]