By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Greg McQueary, one of the most successful coaches in the history of the Boone County boys basketball program, is stepping down after 15 years with the Rebels.
McQueary had a 242-203 record as Boone County’s head coach. Ten of his 15 teams finished with a winning record and five of them won 20 games or more. In 2012, the Rebels won the 9th Region championship and finished 27-8 to set a team record for most wins in a season.
McQueary was named 9th Region Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008 by the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches. The Northern Kentucky Basketball Coaches Association voted him Coach of the Year in 2009 when the Rebels lost in the regional final and in 2012 when they won the regional championship.
Over the last four seasons, however, Boone County had a 35-81 record and none of those teams made it to the 33rd District final to qualify for the regional tournament.
“Thanks to all the players and assistant coaches, who have enriched my life the past 15 seasons, for your energy and effort,” McQueary said in a letter announcing his resignation. “Also, a special thanks to Jay Leftin for coaching (with me) my entire tenure. I would be remiss if I did not thank my wife and children for making those sacrifices which have enabled me to proudly coach the Rebels all of these years. It is with great pride and fond memories that I leave the basketball program.”
McQueary was head coach at Bardstown and Caldwell County before coming to Boone County. His career coaching record is 391-382 in 28 seasons. The only Boone County boys basketball coach who had more wins than him was Jay Mulcahy, who was 261-210 over 16 seasons.
Boone County is one of five Northern Kentucky high schools that will have a new boys head basketball coach next season. The others are Dayton (Ron Kinmon), Newport Central Catholic (Ron Dawn), Ryle (Keaton Belcher) and Walton-Verona (Mike Hester).
Local bowlers advance to survivor rounds in national tournament
Jonathan Cummins, the first Simon Kenton student to win a state singles title in bowling last February, placed fifth in the qualifying round of boys singles competition at the U.S. High School Bowling National Championships in Indianapolis.
Even though he graduated in May, Cummings was eligible for the national high school tournament. He got off to a good start with a four-game total of 964 in the qualifying round on Sunday at Royal Pin Expo Bowl. He then rolled a 259 in the first survivor round and moved up to fourth in the standings with a 1,223 pin total going into the round of 64 on Monday morning.
In girls singles, recent Boone County graduate Kara Strong placed 17th in the girls singles qualifying round with a four-game total of 867. In the first survivor round, she rolled a 203 that lifted her pin total to 1,070 and advanced to the round of 48 on Monday.
Bowlers from 21 states entered the national high school tournament sponsored by the U.S. High School Bowling Foundation. Next year’s tournament will be held in Cincinnati.
Simon Kenton grad places seventh in steeplechase at national meet
Simon Kenton graduate Kyle Mastin placed seventh in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase event at USA Track & Field under-20 national championship meet in Florida.
Mastin, who just finished his freshman year at Northern Kentucky University, completed the course that includes hurdles and water jumps in 9:39.36. He was one of 12 qualifiers who competed in the under-20 age group event.
Last summer, Mastin won the 2,000-meter steeplechase event in the boys 17-18 age group at the National Junior Olympic Championships. In his final year at Simon Kenton, he was a Class 3A regional champion champion in both cross country and track. He finished sixth in the state cross country meet and second in the 3200 run at the state track meet.