One thing about summer, days get shorter. That makes them go quicker. It can be difficult to keep up. But you can always catch up with local sports news here. This includes all those rapidly happening college offers. Plus, the latest on swiftly rising Tay Kinney and that well-rounded golfer at Bishop Brossart. Fore! Here are the fastest 1,000 words in sports.
NEWPORT’S KINNEY IMPRESSES AT U17 TRYOUTS
When USA Basketball announced the 2024 Men’s U17 National Team following five days of training camp in Colorado Springs, Newport High School’s Tay Kinney was not on the 12-player list. But the incoming junior standout did raise national awareness about his game before heading back to Newport.
The U17 national team was chosen from among 34 participants and will compete at the 2024 FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup June 29-July 7 in Turkey. The USA Basketball Men’s Developmental National Team Committee made the selections.
The 12 names released by the selection committee for the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s U17 National Team include Cameron Boozer, Cayden Boozer, Chris Cenac Jr., AJ Dybantsa, Jalen Haralson, Caleb Holt, JJ Mandaquit, Brandon McCoy Jr., Koa Peat, Jordan Smith Jr., Tyran Stokes and Jaden Toombs.
They represent high school graduating classes of 2025 and 2026. All 12 have USA Basketball experience. Eight previously earned a spot on a national team. Team USA has won every gold medal at the FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup, dating back to 2010, going 44-0 with six gold medals. It would have been quite an honor for Kinney to be selected. He has no experience on a national team.
Had the 6-foot-1 Kinney made the squad, he would be in action next 5,500 miles away against France in Team USA’s opening game June 29 in Istanbul. The point guard did turn some heads during trials in Colorado and was part of a group of lesser-known players who stood out from the crowd. He was one of three players identified as emergent talents at the star-studded camp which included some of the best high school players in the country.
One evaluator said the trials offered an ideal setting to watch prospects because of the talent level and highly structured setting. He said setting forces players to adjust to less playing time while acclimating to new team concepts on both ends of the floor.
In that sense, Kinney fared well just three months after fully recovering from injury suffered in the 9th Region final. He was complimented on his overall game, court vision, ability to create and attitude. Kinney is one of several NCAA Division I-caliber players for the two-time defending 9th Region champion Wildcats. He averaged a team-high 17.5 points per game last season.
BROSSART STANDOUT A GOVERNOR’S SCHOLAR
Bishop Brossart multisport athlete Luke Bertsch has been accepted into the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program for the summer. The senior is one of four from the school similarly honored. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Students must complete an application and compete with others from across the state for selection. The mission of the Governor’s Scholars Program is to enhance Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders. The 41-year-old program provides academic and personal growth through the balance of a strong liberal arts program. This is integrated into a full co-curricular and residential life experience.
Bertsch is a golfer and baseball player at Bishop Brossart. He hit .274 with a team-high 15 walks plus 12 RBI at the plate for the baseball team. On the mound, he was 1-0 with two saves and a 2.10 ERA, second lowest on the team. Bertsch finished eighth at the 2023 KHSAA Region 8 golf tournament. He qualified for the substate event.
As a junior, Bertsch was one of 50 students named to the 2024 Regional Youth Leadership class. The group represented nearly 40 schools in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The class marked the 30th year of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s signature program. Students use the community as a classroom to collaborate with local leaders. This is done to enhance their educational experiences during the eight-month program.
They were selected following an extensive criteria and application process. It included a minimum GPA of 3.0 and approval from their high school. Demonstration of leadership potential and interest in furthering knowledge is also required.
Moreover, Bertsch placed fourth for Brossart in the VFW Voice of Democracy Speech
contest this past school year. Back on the links, Bertsch finished eighth with a score of 87 at the Kenton County Spring Junior tournament. The event was held at the Golf Courses at Kenton County.
BATTLE FOR THE PADDLE SET
With the release of the 2024 Dayton High School football schedule, the date of the big game is set. The 151st Battle of the Paddle is already known. The Dayton Greendevils play at Bellevue Oct. 11 in a district game at the Tigers’ Gilligan Stadium. Dayton beat Bellevue 38-14 last season for its fourth straight win in the series. The Tigers lead the all-time series, 97-50-3.
The first game in the longstanding series was played in 1926 when Bellevue won 12-0. The Tigers and Greendevils have played continuously for 97 years, sometimes twice a season. That makes it the second-oldest high school football rivalry in Kentucky. It’s behind only Louisville Male and DuPont Manual. They played each other for the first time in 1893 and will stage the series’ 140th game this year.
GREEN GETS ANOTHER BASKETBALL OFFER
Highlands senior post player Marissa Green has secured another college basketball offer. This one came last week from University of West Georgia. Green also has offers from Northern Kentucky University, Murray State, Marshall, Bowling Green, Illinois State among others. Morehead State offered Green before her freshman season. That made it the first time a Highlands freshman girl was offered since Highlands coach Jaime Richey in 1992. Green, a 6-4 center, led the Bluebirds with 15.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a junior. She’s already a member of the 1,000-point club.
COLONELS HEARING FROM THOMAS MORE
Add a pair of Dixie Heights football players to Thomas More University’s offer list. Senior quarterback Armani Gregg and senior receiver David Anderson received their first college football offers from the Saints. The 6-1, 215-pound Gregg passed for 1,776 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. He rushed for a team-high 878 yards and 12 TDs. The 6-1, 190-pound Anderson was next with 857 rushing yards and 11 TDs. He had an additional 19 catches for 217 yards.
COOPER FOOTBALL OFFERS
Cooper senior Isaiah Johnson has received another Division I football offer, from Indiana State. Among the incoming senior’s other offers are those from Eastern Kentucky and Thomas More. A 6-foot-3 target, Johnson had more than 1,300 yards and 21 TDs last season. Cooper senior receiver Jaidan Combs also has an offer from Thomas More. He had 8 catches going for 75 yards with two touchdowns last season. Jaguars senior Malachi Ewell has received his first college football offer from Denison. Ewell had 33 receptions for 239 yards last season.
SPEED READS
Beechwood senior quarterback Clay Hayden received his first college football offer from University of Indianapolis, a Division II program. Hayden, a 6-1 player, ranked fourth in the state with 3,910 passing yards last season. He ranked fifth statewide with 48 touchdown passes.
Highlands senior Adam Surrey picked up another college football offer, from Marshall. He was previously offered by Thomas More. Surrey, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound athlete, plays wide receiver and defensive back while manning special teams at Highlands.