By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Nineteen players and coaches representing 12 high schools will be inducted into the Northern Kentucky Athletic Directors Hall of Fame during ceremonies scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 9, at Receptions in Erlanger.
This year’s class includes David Henley, head coach of Holmes boys basketball teams that won three consecutive 9th Region championships from 2007 to 2009. The Bulldogs lost in the 2008 state final and won the 2009 “Sweet 16” state championship to finish with a 36-2 record.
There’s also a record-setting state champion from Bellevue on the list. Jim Cavana won state titles in boys 1-meter diving eight consecutive years from 1955 to 1963.
John Finn and Tim Shields are other former coaches who will be inducted. Finn posted more than 500 career victories in 33 season as Simon Kenton’s baseball coach. Shields won three 9th Region championships in girls basketball and one in baseball during his coaching career at Conner.
The four female inductees include Lisa Brewer of Newport Central Catholic, Stephanie Ripberger of Highlands, Lauren Tibbs of Scott and Jenna Crittendon of Ryle.
Tibbs was named Player of the Year in volleyball and basketball by local coaches and set team records in both sports. She finished her basketball career in 2011 with more than 2,500 points and 1,100 rebounds.
Keith Greene of Newport is another exception basketball player among the inductees. He was named to 9th Region all-tournaments teams in 1991 and 1992. In the first round of the 1992 tournament, he scored 39 points in his team’s 114-112 loss to Highlands, the highest scoring game in tournament history.
The complete list of the 2023 inductees is below. Tickets required to attend the ceremony are $45 and must be ordered three weeks prior to Nov. 9. To order tickets, email Grady Brown at grady.brown@newport.kyschools.us.
N.KY. ATHLETIC DIRECTORS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Bellevue — Jim Cavana. Brossart — Earl Greis. Campbell County — Greg Menetry Jr. Conner — Tim Shields, Brad Arlinghaus, Trevor Stellman.
Highlands — Stephanie Ripberger, Joe Ross. Holmes — Tim Sullivan, David Henley, Virgil Lemons. Ludlow — Mike Caple. Newport — Keith Greene.
Newport Catholic — Steve Mason, Lisa Brewer. Ryle — Jenna Crittendon. Scott — Lauren Tibbs. Simon Kenton — John Finn, Dave Obel.
Tom Potter Award — Pete Collins (Dixie Heights).
Mel Webster Scholarship — Brooke Shewmaker (Brossart)