Notre Dame Academy, winner of five district championships in the 2000s and 2010s, can go one better. The Pandas are already chasing their sixth district crown this decade, and seventh in eight years. They’re attempting to claw their way to another under new coach George Stoll, who brings tournament-winning experience.
The Pandas haven’t dominated the 35th like this since winning the district seven years in a row from 2007-13. Having much to say about it is Holy Cross. The Indians lost by nine to Notre Dame in last year’s district final. The Pandas have won 11 of the last 15 girls high school basketball meetings with Holy Cross. That’s a trend the Indians are trying to reverse.
Beechwood, aiming for its first winning season in 11 years, also seeks a reversal of fortune. Holmes returns to district play after a year absence. With seven victories in three years, the Bulldogs are simply looking for wins. Covington Latin is not fielding a girls basketball team again this season as the Trojans are looking for players. Here are those who will be competing for the district crown. Teams are listed in alphabetical order along with last season’s record.
Beechwood (9-17 in 2024-25)
The youthful Tigers return three starters, all guards, and welcome two new starters. Junior Lola Sullivan and sophomores Emme Blackburn and Emme Kelly are in the regular rotation. So are sophomore forward Evie Hildebrant and guard Averi Dye, one of two transfers who add depth. Dye comes over from Walton-Verona. Sophomore forward Regan Remley is from Cooper. Dye is a freshman to watch. Kennedy Sturgeon is an eighth grader to keep an eye on.
Kelly leads all returners after averaging 11 points per game last season. Blackburn (7.1 ppg), Hildebrant (4.8 ppg, 71% FT) and Sullivan (4.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) provide improved scoring options. They’re all together in coach Celeste Brockett’s motion offense and man-to-man defense.
The second-year coach says strengths include overall team speed and rate of growth. She’s looking to sharpen communication and defensive consistency. She characterizes growth after one season under her direction as “significant” and she makes sure everyone gets a shout-out.
“While every player on our team is unique and has shown significant growth, Evelyn Kirschner and Emme Blackburn stand out as the most improved due to their consistency, commitment, and noticeable development in key areas of their game,” the coach said. “Every player on our team brings a unique set of strengths. Their collective improvement, commitment to excellence, and willingness to learn have elevated our team as a whole. I am proud of the strides they have made individually and how those efforts contribute to our shared success.”
Fun Fact: Coach Brockett says the playful chemistry displayed by Blackburn, Kelly and Hildebrant has earned them monikers. The hard-working trio has the assistant coach-inspired nicknames of “Larry, Curly and Moe.”
Holmes
The Bulldogs are back in action after a year with a non-district designation and a season bereft of victory. With a roster full of sophomores, freshmen and eighth graders, the Bulldogs decided against fielding a varsity girls squad. The 35th District tournament went on without them. Holmes did play a freshman and JV schedule, giving players valuable experience during an unsettled span.
The last time the Bulldogs completed a full season was 2023-24. They finished 3-28 under former coach Tracy Pope, who resigned after two years. Zuri Hill became the new head coach after coaching the seventh-grade girls basketball team at Holmes Middle School. Hill began her prep basketball career at Holmes and concluded it at Boone County. She played alongside area great Sydney Moss for legendary coach Nell Fookes at Boone County.
The Bulldogs, just seven years removed from their last 9th Region final appearance, were once perennial contenders. They remain very much on the young side with just one senior, shooting guard Jayda Hill, among the varsity regulars. She is the coach’s cousin. There’s also junior guard Carly Riley.
Hill, and eighth-grade forwards Janihyla Glenn and Aubrey Elmer are battling injuries. That has caused a reconfigured starting lineup to begin the season. Also starting along with Riley are freshman point guard Lunden Scott and freshman forward Kirra Bell-Northcutt, and eighth graders Brooklyn Brown, a guard, and Jade Moore, a 5-foot-10 center.
“We have a solid eight,” coach Hill said. “It’s a big accomplishment considering where we were. We’re building the program back up to what it should be.”
Fun fact: The Bulldogs have dropped down in classification. They are now playing a conference small-school schedule, according to athletic director Ken Ellis. “We’re going to do that for two years,” Ellis said. “Then we will see what direction we want to go in.”
Holy Cross (25-8 in 2024-25)
The Indians lost their leading scorer but return three starters. They also welcome a proven varsity player from another school. Though they’ll be a young, seniorless team, they’re in position to compete for championships at various levels. They should be a contender for the 35th District and 9th Region titles while being an All “A” Classic force.
The Indians have split six meetings with district rival Notre Dame over the past three seasons. They won the district tournament title two seasons ago. They’re on an upward trajectory with their top players being juniors or younger. The most impactful are juniors Alyssa Arlinghaus and D’Myah Williams and sophomore Jai Johnson.
Arlinghaus, an all-around whiz, averaged 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.9 assists per game last season. She shot 36.4% from 3-point range. Williams averaged 10.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and shot 51.3% from the field and 41.7% on 3s. Johnson averaged 6.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals.
“She currently sits third all-time in school history for made 3 pointers,” coach Arlinghaus said of Alyssa. “D’Myah Williams is quite possibly the most athletic player not only in the 9th Region, but in the state. Her speed, jumping and quickness are unparalleled. She currently holds several D-1 college offers.
Jai Johnson is the leading returning ball handler and best on-ball defender. She brings an element of toughness to the team and leadership, the coach said.
Riley Eberhard transferred from Notre Dame. She brings athleticism, toughness, and skill, qualities coach Arlinghaus says will make the team stronger.
“I expect our team to compete and battle for a fifth straight All “A” regional championship,” said the coach. “If we are fortunate enough to advance, we should be among the favorites to compete for an All “A” state championship.”
Fun fact: The coach said if the Indians win another 9th Region All “A” crown, it will be their 16th. That would pass Newport Central Catholic, he said. Both programs have 15 each.
Notre Dame Academy (22-8 in 2024-25)
Former Newport Central Catholic head coach George Stoll replaces Kes Murphy. Murphy won 151 of 209 games in seven seasons. He guided the Pandas to the 9th Region final last season for the first time in four years. They fell to Cooper by three points. Notre Dame decided not to rehire Murphy. The Pandas seek their first region crown since 2012-13. They were state runner-up that season.
In steps Stoll, whose NewCath squad won the region in 2014. He inherits three players with starting experience. They are seniors Emma Holtzapfel (11.9 ppg) and Joslyn LaBordeaux-Humphrey (5.7 ppg) and junior Amelia Stallard (7.9 ppg). Holtzapfel is a 5-11 Bellarmine commit. LaBordeaux-Humphrey is on the college radar. She has an offer from Defiance College.
Others to keep an eye on include Erin McGraw, Sarah Young and Addie Lawrie. They give the new coach additional options. Stoll indicated McGraw has taken some steps forward this preseason and is a key defender along with Lawrie.
“I love the way that they each can guard on the ball. I’m excited to see them transition to the season,” the coach said. “Teams will find out quick that Young is one of the best post players in the region.”
Stoll also really likes his team balance.
“Our biggest strength,” he said. “We have some shooters, some girls who can get to the rim, and some girls who can post up. I think we are going to be much better by the end of the season. I need to see what works and what doesn’t work for our team. I’m learning from them just as much as they’re learning from me.”
Stoll says his players are eager to get back on the floor and continue adding to their program’s rich tradition.
“We have a group of girls that are really competitive and have high expectations of themselves.” he said. “It’s been fun to get to know each one of them so far. I can’t wait to learn and grow throughout the season.”
Fun fact: When the Pandas took down Holy Cross last season, it gave them five district crowns since 2019.