At the outset of the 2024-25 high school wrestling season, Ryle coach Tim Ruschell made some estimations. “Ryle will be respectable this season, returning six state placers. We lost some good wrestlers, but we could have five or six guys who can win region,” Ruschell said in December. “We could have a few more than […]
Author Archives: Marc Hardin
Posted inBasketball
Bellevue’s Sorrell stepping down after 17 seasons
The plan has been in the works for nearly a year. There was plenty of time to change his mind, but the plan remained in place after discussions with family. The school was ultimately notified. The players were eventually informed. The team kept everything a secret and games were played. The 2024-25 season wore on […]
Posted inBasketball
High-rise seniors, talented teammates tall order for Walton-Verona basketball foes
Braylin Terrell is getting ready for Tuesday afternoon practice at Walton-Verona High School. Dressed in blue and white Bearcats gear, she’s talking about basketball, family, college and what it’s like to be tall. Terrell, a 6-foot-2 senior post player, is the tallest player on the Bearcats. She’s not only that. The affable athlete is also […]
Posted inWrestling
In just five years, Highlands has become a regional wrestling power
The Highlands boys wrestling team has become one of the best in northern Kentucky in a short period of time. The high school squad has a way to go to catch up to elites such as Ryle and Simon Kenton. But the Bluebirds have made gains on a host of perennial powers such as Campbell […]
Posted inBasketball
How the graduation-depleted Holy Cross girls basketball team remained so strong
One of the surprises of the local high school basketball season is the performance of the Holy Cross girls. Coach Ted Arlinghaus’s team won 18 of its first 19 games. The Indians came into the week with the most wins in the 9th Region and they were tied for fewest losses. This is notable because […]
Posted inWrestling
Pioneers wrestlers blazing different trails in 2025
Holding down a top 10 Kentucky ranking nearly a year after placing 15th at the KHSAA state wrestling meet, Simon Kenton is viewed locally and statewide as an improved team. The Pioneers have been lauded by local coaches for having a roster full of state-ranked wrestlers. They have an especially strong contingent in the lighter […]
Posted inBasketball
“Positionless basketball” and a bevy of shooters fueling Campbell County girls
Capable young players showed up in droves at summer workouts involving the Campbell County High School girls basketball team. Many of them were eager eighth graders and wide-eyed freshmen. Together with a solid core of sophomores, juniors and a couple seniors, it gave head coach Davey Johnson a preliminary vision of his squad. Many talented […]
Posted inBaseball
Climbing the clubhouse ranks: Ludlow’s Hayden Stamm takes a major step towards MLB
Hayden Stamm is one step closer to the big leagues. The former Ludlow High School baseball player was recently promoted from his position as clubhouse manager in the Athletics minor league system. The one-time Panthers catcher was promoted to Midland, the Double-A affiliate of the Athletics major league club. The RockHounds are longstanding members of […]
Posted inBasketball
Pioneers tightening the screws and lowering the boom under returning coach Jeff Stowers
The return of Simon Kenton High School girls basketball coach Jeff Stowers is going well, as expected. After two seasons away from the head job, all the hallmarks of a Stowers-coached team are already there: tough schedule, many wins despite it, loads of talent, unselfish team play, tough defense and solid shooting. “I would say […]
Posted inBasketball
Essence of Dayton: Greendevils’ Smith bedevils opponents, impresses teammates on the court
Tayah Smith is a Dayton Greendevils basketball player, but nearly half her playing uniform is black. It sets her apart from teammates, as does her playing style, which necessitates all the black gear. “Tayah gives 100%,” Dayton coach Laura Hall said. “This girl plays really hard.” That means diving for loose balls and hitting the […]
