2024 Girls Basketball season leaps to a start

Last season, the Lady Birds had a win-loss record of 22-9 in the regular season. They were 6-0 in districts, being the district champions, beating Newport 71-37. Within the region, the girl’s team went 11-5, making it to the second round, but it fell short to Ryle in the last seconds, ending with a score of 49-43. I 

“We are spending more time in practice working on those things… Also looking at things we did well and continue to work on that area,” said Coach Ja Richey when asked what she’s doing in reflection on last season.

This season includes 10 home games, 11 away games, and 3 tournaments: the Donna Murphy Classic, Lady Invitational of the South, and the Camel Classic. The Donna Murphy Classic will be held at Newport High School on the weekend of December 7th, the Lady Invitational of the South will be held at Allen County-Scottsville on December 27th, and the Camel Classic will be held at Campbell County High School on the weekend of February 8th.

Cooper High School and Notre Dame Academy are this season’s most significant competitors. When playing them last year, they lost 61-30 to Cooper in the regular season and beat  39-37 to NDA during the 9th region tournament. Cooper was 31-5 in the season and had an RPI of .71600. NDA was 21-10 in the season and had an RPI of .62800.

“The 9th Region is always loaded, and we will have to beat them all to reach our goal…” said Richey.

Richey hopes her team has a breakout season. The coaching staff is spending time preparing by having the girls work on individual and team skills while practicing six days a week. The team’s ultimate goal is to win the region and make a run at state. 

“I’m hoping all my returning players up their level of play, so they all have breakout seasons!”

Kaylee Mills is said to be the most intelligent player of the season. 

“I am reflecting on how well we did in the region tournament and our loss to Ryle, which has allowed me to have a different mindset this season,” said Mills.

Mills prepared for this season by working with her teammates to return to the basketball groove. 

“I am most confident about our size, ability to shoot the ball well, and ability to run with the other teams because of our speed.”

The teams’ first game is at home against Dixie Heights at 7:30 on Tuesday, December 3. 

                                                           2024 Boys Basketball season kicks off

Last season, the Birds had a win-loss record of 17-16 in the regular season. They were 4-2 within the district, being the runner-ups, losing to Newport 63-48. They were 8-9 in the region, making it to the first round but falling to Cooper 81-46. Not needed 

“I’m reflecting on last season by ensuring we compete at a high level every day. That we build a collective toughness and togetherness that will keep us moving forward when we face adversity,” Head Coach Kevin Listerman said.

This season includes 15 home games, 10 away games, and two tournaments: the Ashland Invitational and Larry Smith Classic. 

The Ashland Invitational will be held at Ashland Blazer on December 27, and the Larry Smith Classic will be held at Bracken County’s Igloo Gym the weekend of February 8. 

The team’s most significant competitors this season are Newport High School and NCC, two district opponents. When playing them last year during the regular season, the team lost 76-26 against Newport and beat NCC 76-71. Newport was 32-4 with an RPI of .69300, and NCC was 8-22 with an RPI of .45000.

“Our preseason workouts have been very solid and I am excited to see what this group can accomplish this season,” Listerman said.

The team is training in the weight room during the off-season to prepare for the upcoming season. 

“We have a lot of juniors who will need to step up for us this year.”

Brady Carnohan (11) is said to be the season’s breakout player. 

“We have to prepare because we lost a lot of people and have to adjust to a younger roster,” Carnohan said.

Carnohan is spending time preparing by practicing throughout the summer and learning the offense. His goal for the season is to make it to the region and possibly win the district. 

“I’m most confident about working as a team; the juniors have been together since 6th grade, so we know how to play well together,” Carnohan said.

Nathan Rickard is said to be a critical piece of the team this season. Rickard is spending time preparing by playing with his team and learning to share the ball, and his goal for the season is to win the district. 

“The level of competition from last year and being more physical this year,”  Rickard said. 

The teams’ first game is at Scott at 7:30 on Monday, December 2.