It’s not a stretch if you think Highlands is heavily favored to win its eighth straight 36th District girls soccer crown. Considering the Bluebirds a logical choice seems solid for at least three reasons. The Bluebirds (15-7-3 in 2022) are also the defending Ninth Region champions. Last year’s title – the program’s fourth since 2018 – […]
Author Archives: Ray Schaefer
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21 teams in 21 days: Boone County football preview
Boone County head football coach Bryson Warner had just seen a Rebel defensive back knock down a pass, and he was overjoyed. “That’s the way to compete!” Warner hollered during a 7-on-7 passing scrimmage July 25 at Covington Catholic. “That’s what we’re looking for!” Warner and the Rebels (3-7 last year) seek something much more […]
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Conner’s Mike Hughes, ‘anybody could win’ girls 33rd District soccer title
Cooper girls soccer coach Scott Hughes said Conner is the favorite to win the 33rd district “based upon everybody that I’ve seen who I know they have coming back.” “And of course, Mike (Conner head coach Mike Hughes) does a terrific job with getting his girls ready early on and playing through the season and being […]
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21 teams in 21 days: Newport Central Catholic football preview
It was near the end of a Wednesday morning practice when sixth-year Newport Central Catholic head football coach Stephen Lickert took the dare. Senior lineman Jacob Sullivan had challenged Lickert, a former running back at Highlands, to a race. It didn’t go well – Lickert came to his office with ice on his right thigh. […]
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33rd District boys soccer preview: Ryle a boys soccer dynasty? Collins says not yet
Don’t you dare use the d-word to describe Ryle’s boys soccer team. Raiders coach Stephen Collins begins his 19th season on the sidelines. He said calling his team a dynasty in Northern Kentucky – or anywhere else – is just, well, wrong, especially because Louisville St. Xavier has won 15 state titles, including 11 since 2000. […]
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21 teams in 21 days: Lloyd Memorial football preview
Lloyd Memorial football coach Kyle Niederman has a different way of measuring football success – a five-year plan. To be sure, the Juggernauts were one of Northern Kentucky’s strongest teams a year ago: a 10-4 record and a Class 2A state semifinal berth for the first time since 2003. Niederman, meanwhile, thought the Northern Kentucky […]
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Vinson, NKU teammates bring hoops heaven
Gracie Beimesche said former Kentucky men’s basketball player Jacob Toppin is her favorite Wildcat because “he’s tall like me.” Cole Taylor, meanwhile, prefers football. “But I also like basketball,” he said. “My dad, my grandpa and a bunch of my relatives played football.” Beimesche and Taylor were two of at least 50 children in grades […]
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Reds Community Fund, St. Elizabeth Healthcare to help Augusta with athletic field renovations
Augusta baseball coach and principal Robin Kelsch didn’t mention the 8-5 loss at Bellevue on April 26, 2021. What Kelsch recalled Wednesday, however, was the email detailing a strange set of instructions at Bellevue Vets Field: no sunflower seeds or metal cleats allowed. The Cincinnati Reds Community Fund and St. Elizabeth Healthcare are helping Augusta […]
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Wever, Beatty win Edgewood/Tri-State Running Company 5K Run/Walk titles
Ethan Wever was a little disappointed Tuesday. The Erlanger native earned a free pair of running shoes for winning the 45th annual Edgewood/Tri-State Running Company Independence Day 5K at Presidents Park. His time of 16 minutes, seven-tenths of a second was nearly 16 seconds faster than Joey Carroll’s 16.16.3 and 50 ticks ahead of Salah […]
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From comedy to camaraderie: Covington Street Hockey League celebrates five-year anniversary
It started five years ago with eight guys having a beer and pretending to be National Hockey League stars. The Covington Street Hockey League has exponentially grown. There’s a rink at Barb Cook Park on Ashland Avenue, a Monday night league and pickup games Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. “There’s about 130 skaters and about […]