Some changes have taken place in front office at Campbell County High School.
With that also comes some changes in the Camels athletic department. Michael Florimonte is the new Director of Athletics and Davey Johnson is the new head girls basketball coach.
Florimonte stepped in for Stephen Hensley. Hensley retired after 12 years as the Campbell County AD and 36 years of service in high school and collegiate athletics. Hensley recently took a job with Egleston-Maynard Sports in Covington.
Florimonte is a 1991 Campbell County alum. Florimonte served as an Assistant Principal the previous seven years. He taught at both Campbell County and Newport teaching Business/Marketing courses for a combined 10 years. He also coached baseball at Campbell County and Indian Hill High School (Ohio).
Florimonte will oversee a program that has seen a number of programs with success over the years. More than a dozen programs have won region crowns in the past 10 years. The girls bowling team won the most recent of seven state championships in 2020. Campbell County’s baseball team finished state runner-up in 2016 and the volleyball team drove to the state semifinals in 2018. Florimonte listed integrity, sportsmanship and pride in titles through fair and honest means as part of his vision for the Campbell County student-athletes.
“We believe a strong athletic program does much to generate pride and enthusiasm in students, alumni, staff and our community, which Campbell County High School serves,” Florimonte said. “Campbell County has a rich tradition in athletics. It is our mission to build upon this tradition and continue the success of our programs while competing for district, regional and state championships in all we do every year.”
Florimonte said he’d definitely like to see the Camels football program reach those levels. Campbell County last won a district championship in 2012 and last made the third round of the playoffs in 1994. Campbell County named Brian Weinrich the new head coach of the Camels football team in January.
“Numbers are up, which is great,” Florimonte said. “We have approximately 115 players between (the) Varsity, JV and Freshman (teams). Coach Weinrich and his staff have been very active and done an excellent job with the offseason strength/conditioning program, in the 7-on-7 competitions, and overall in creating an excitement around the program.”
Johnson takes over the Camels girls basketball program after Nolan Boone took an Assistant Principal job at Campbell County High and stepped down as head coach after three seasons. Boone and his wife Tori are expecting their first child in November.
“As much as I love our girls basketball program, there was no way I could do it at the level it deserves with a new job and a newborn,” Boone said. “We have lots of new changes at the high school and I want to make sure I do my part to continue to make this a great place for students and our community. I believe with my whole heart that despite a couple tough years, the girls basketball program is in a great spot.”
Campbell County finished 40-48 these past three years. The Camels finished 22-12 his first season during the 2019-2020 school year winning the 37th District Tournament then driving all the way to the 10th Region title game before losing 55-45 to George Rogers Clark.
Following a 7-17 season and not advancing to the 10th Region Tournament, Campbell County improved to 11-19 this past season and made it back to the region tournament. The Camels lost to Bishop Brossart in the 37th District Tournament title game before losing 33-26 to Mason County in the 10th Region Quarterfinals at Nicholas County.
Kylie Koeninger graduated this past spring after spending five seasons on varsity. Koeninger averaged 15.1 points per game before going down with an injury. Koeninger is one of three seniors to graduate.
Koeninger agreed the Camels would have won more games had she been able to play the entire season. But she still saw positives from the season.
“I think one of the biggest things I really enjoyed is how much (Boone) had trust,” Koeninger said. “Our season didn’t start off the best. It was kind of like a rebuilding year the past two years. We (could be) losing really bad or have a bad quarter. He never really lost faith in us,” Koeninger said. “He always kept telling us, ‘Keep your head up. Next play. You got it.’ That’s really nice to have in a coach, especially when there might be a lot of negatives going on. When I got injured, a lot of things were said. They’re not going to go far. I think that also tested us because I told them I’m not giving up on you. Family was always a big thing that we focused on. Each person brought something to the table. It was not just all five starters.”
Boone pointed out this year’s seniors were freshmen on that 10th Region runner-up squad three years ago. Senior forward Keauna Cullum is the leading returning scorer at 8.2 points per game.
“The girls currently on the varsity roster have fight, determination, and togetherness that is unmatched,” Boone said. “I have worked to build relationships with our players who are currently in middle school and they are excited to get opportunities in the next few years to help the program. The wins are coming. I can’t wait to come to games to support the girls, Coach Johnson, and his staff. They are going to do great things.”
Cullum is one of three seniors listed on the roster for this season. The other two are forward Julia Busam and guard Sophia Beck.
“I think we’re really excited for a new coach, a new beginning,” Cullum said. “(Coach Johnson) is an open person. I think he’ll be easy to connect with. It can always get hard. But I think we all have a lot of perseverance.
Johnson has coached girls for 10 or 11 years. He served as the head coach of Newport for two years. The Ladycats improved from 11-20 his first season in 2016-2017 to 19-11 the next year losing a narrow 37-35 decision to Newport Central Catholic in the 36th District semifinals.
Johnson said a key to coaching girls is earning their trust and getting them to buy in to the philosophies. Johnson said they need to know a coach has their best interests at heart. He said coaches can challenge players if they know it’s coming from a good place and a coach is not just getting on players just to get on them.
“If you win, things go smoothly. It’s when you lose that you learn about your team and kind of learn what kind of character these players have,” Johnson said. “With me, I think the biggest thing is getting that confidence back, getting rid of that losing mentality that they kind of have had the last few years. Then more kids will be excited about joining Campbell County when we turn it back around into a winning program. You have to role with the punches and pick your battles. It usually works out.”
Johnson is a Talent Acquisition Specialist at DHL Express. He said DHL Express is supportive of his coaching endeavors.
“DHL promotes a really good work-life balance. They enjoy the fact that I have the passion for coaching basketball,” Johnson said. “They loved that when I first joined the company five years ago. They still promote it and allow me to be able to do both as much as I can. My boss enjoys sports. He was really excited when I told him the news. They will work around my schedule to make sure I can be fully committed to the (Campbell County) girls basketball program.”
Johnson is a 2004 Campbell County alum. He played on varsity for the boys basketball team as a sophomore, junior and senior then on the freshman team as a freshman. Dan Sullivan served as head coach of the Camels his first three years in high school before Mike Reitz took over his senior year.
Campbell County was in the 10th Region during his playing days. But the Camels played in the 38th District with Bishop Brossart, Silver Grove, Pendleton County and Bracken County. The Camels won district tournament titles his freshman and sophomore years. They proceeded to win the 10th Region crown in 2001 before losing 64-63 to 12th Region champion South Laurel then lost in the 10th Region semifinals to Montgomery County in 2002.
As part of the state-wide massive redistricting following the 2004-2005 season, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association moved Campbell County and Bishop Brossart to the 37th District. Scott and Calvary Christian came over from the 9th Region and 34th District to join the Camels and Mustangs. The point of the massive overhaul was to eliminate three-team districts. Johnson noted how much the campus has grown since he graduated.
“Bishop Brossart was always a rival no matter if Brossart is having a good year and Campbell County’s having a down year or vise versa, it’s usually a battle,” Johnson said. “A lot of people go to the crosstown shootout. That’s one you circle on your calendar when you get the head coaching job. That’s a game you’re excited for. It’s exciting to get back to where I played and be part of that rivalry with Brossart. Apparently that rivalry with Scott has grown since they joined our district as well.”
Johnson said he prefers an up-tempo style of basketball. He also said he likes to see players make that extra pass passing up a good shot for a great shot.
“The season can’t get here soon enough,” Johnson said. “I fully expect to compete from day one and be ready to go once the season starts at the end of November.”
Johnson has hired three assistants and is looking for a freshman head coach. Lindsey Bray-Rauch, also a 2004 Campbell County alum, returns as a varsity and JV assistant. Eric Clark, a 2001 Campbell County alum, will be the JV head coach and Stephen Graves will be a varsity assistant.
The first game on the schedule is Nov. 29 against Bracken County in Alexandria. Game time is 7:30 p.m.