Thomas More University men’s basketball coach Justin Ray and two of his players, Reid Jolly and Wyatt Vieth, are gathered together in a room near the home gym at Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills. They are laughing. Jolly, a first-team NAIA all-American last season, admitted he was constantly schooled by his sister in pick-up […]
Author Archives: Marc Hardin
Posted inGolf
A farewell to swings as Cooper seniors ride off into the golf sunset
This story originally appeared in the Oct. 20 edition of the weekly LINK Reader. To get these stories first, subscribe here. And now, a little more down time for the Cooper High School girls golf team. “It was a long season, but we had a lot of fun,” senior Kendall Brissey said. “We’ve had a heck […]
Posted inSports
How did Campbell County do it?
Shortly after Emma Manser smashed the decisive point in Campbell County High School’s win over Scott in the 10th Region volleyball tournament final, Camels coach Mikah Freppon was posed a question. How did a 23-year-old recent college graduate with no previous head coaching experience lead Campbell County to its first state tournament appearance this decade […]
Posted inFootball
Uncommon wealth: Top 10 Northern Kentucky frontrunners for Kentucky Mr. Football 2023
On a year-to-year basis, the best high school senior football player in Northern Kentucky has just as good a chance of winning Kentucky Mr. Football as any senior from any other area in the commonwealth. Northern Kentucky produced the award’s first winner in 1986 when Frank Jacobs from Newport Central Catholic was honored. The area […]
Posted inSports
Conner’s senior volleyball players broke with history. Now, they’re making history
This story originally appeared in the Oct. 13 edition of the weekly LINK Reader. To get these stories first, subscribe here. When it comes to Northern Kentucky high school volleyball, the Conner Cougars typically have not been movers and shakers. They have yet to win a 33rd district tournament championship. They have not won a 9th […]
Posted inSports
Thoroughbreds football standout Demetrick Welch is no one-trick pony
Demetrick Welch, runner extraordinaire at Newport Central Catholic High School, has quite the distinctive name. He knows just one other person who has it. It’s his dad, Demetrick Welch Sr. “They call me Little Metrick,” Welch said. “They started calling me that when I was little.” The nickname is cute but it no longer fits. […]
Posted inSports
Sphire’s Bluebirds spread it out and spread it around on the football field at Highlands
Dried off and in a fresh set of clothes after his sideline victory dousing last Friday, Highlands High School football coach Bob Sphire walked into the Fort Thomas home of a hosting Touchdown Club member. He was there for a postgame team get-together. Highlands had just beaten Boone County, 53-7, at home for its sixth […]
Posted inFootball
New head coach, new offense, no problem: Beechwood’s Hayden stands and delivers
This story originally appeared in the Oct. 6 edition of the weekly LINK Reader. To get these stories first, subscribe here. Clay Hayden takes a quick snap from center at Beechwood High School’s Edgar McNabb Field. The junior quarterback drops back and stands in the pocket. He fires a short pass into the waiting hands of […]
Posted inSports
150 football games in, green means go for Dayton against Bellevue at “Battle for the Paddle”
Dayton High School football standout Mason Johnson gathered with teammates and parents at the traditional pre-game bonfire the night before the annual renewal of the Dayton-Bellevue rivalry. The host Greendevils and Tigers play for the 150th time Friday at venerable O.W. Davis Stadium. The “Battle for the Paddle” kicks off at 7 p.m. The annual […]
Posted inSports
Covington Catholic soccer team appears to be on schedule after a rugged slate
This story originally appeared in the Sept. 29 edition of the weekly LINK Reader. To get these stories first, subscribe here. The win-loss record isn’t gaudy. Statistics aren’t exactly eye-popping. With no new records in the books and milestones in short supply, there hasn’t been much in terms of recent news for the Covington Catholic High […]
