By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Three local high school football players who were nominated for all-state honors are finalists for the Brian Williams That’s My Boy Award that’s presented to the top student-athlete in football each year.
Two of the finalists – Covington Catholic quarterback A.J. Mayer and Ryle running back Jake Chisholm – were voted first-team all-state in their positions by Associated Press media members for the 2017 season. The other finalist is Highlands offensive lineman Michael Dunn, who was an all-state honorable mention.
A rating system that awards points for achievements in football, academics and community service determined the three finalists for the That’s My Boy Award. The winner will be announced during the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Football Foundation banquet on Thursday, Feb. 22 at the Manor House in Mason, Ohio.
Mayer led CovCath to its first 15-0 undefeated season and the Class 5A state championship. The Miami University recruit set single-season team records in passing yards (3,114), passing touchdowns (40) and completion percentage (64.1).
Chisholm rushed for a school record 2,315 yards and 33 touchdowns during his senior season at Ryle. The University of Dayton recruit also set a Northern Kentucky single-game rushing record by picking up 449 yards in a win over Simon Kenton.
Dunn, a two-year starter on the Highlands offensive line, also had a strong senior season. With him up front, the Bluebirds averaged 339 yards per game and he received a Top 26 Award from the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association.
All three of the That’s My Boy finalists are members of the National Honor Society and active in school organizations. Dunn created a charity on his own called Cleats for a Cause. He collected used cleats, reconditioned them and donated them to a youth football program.
State basketball tournament draws create interesting matchups
Northern Kentucky girls’ basketball teams could be facing each other in the opening round of the St. Elizabeth Healthcare/KHSAA Girls Sweet 16 state basketball tournament.
In a blind draw to determine pairings for the 16-team bracket, Region 8 and Region 9 were chosen as first-round opponents on Thursday, March 8 at BB&T Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.
Simon Kenton won the Region 8 championship two of the last three last years and the Pioneers have the highest power rating in the region once again this season. The leading contender for the Region 9 title is Ryle with a 20-6 record that includes two wins over Simon Kenton.
Campbell County (22-2) is the defending champion and top-ranked team in Region 10. If the Camels take the title once again, they’ll face the Region 13 champion on Wednesday, March 7 in the first round of the state tournament. The teams with the best records in Region 13 are Harlan County (19-2), North Laurel (18-5) and South Laurel (18-4).
The draw for the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys Sweet 16 state tournament was also held on Wednesday and all three regions that include Northern Kentucky teams will play first-round games in the lower half of the bracket on Thursday, March 15 at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
The matchups include Region 9 vs. Region 3, Region 10 vs. Region 2 and Region 8 vs. Region 1.
The local teams considered top contenders for boys’ state tournament berths are Covington Catholic and Cooper in Region 9, Campbell County and Scott in Region 10 and Walton-Verona and Simon Kenton in Region 8.
The entire bracket for the boys’ state basketball tournament and the girls’ state basketball tournament are posted on the khsaa.org website. Games times have not yet been determined.
Three-sport standout among inductees for NewCath Hall of Fame
Newport Central Catholic graduate Kevin Bueter played on a state champion football team, regional runner-up basketball team and regional semifinal baseball team during his senior year in 2005-06.
Bueter will get a chance to relive those glory days when he’s inducted into the NewCath Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 17 in the school gymnasium.
The other former student-athletes in this year’s induction class are Michael Zimmerman (2004), Angie Boden Reckers (1993), Pam Freppon Wurtz (1989), Kevin McDole (1976), Pat Sheridan (1967) and Walter McGaff (1937), who will be inducted posthumously.
NewCath will also honor the girls’ soccer teams that won three consecutive All “A” Classic state championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007 as this year’s Teams of Distinction.
There are two other annual awards to be presented at the banquet that will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the ceremony.
Mark Kneflin will receive the Coach Jim Connor Award for exemplifying the ideals and traditions of NewCath in his personal life. Greg Ziegler will receive the Fr. John Hegenauer Community Service Award for his commitment to the family values the school strives to impart to its students.
To reserve a seat for the banquet, send $25.00 to NewCath in cash, check or credit card before Feb. 9. All proceeds will go to the school’s athletic programs. For more information, call the high school at (859) 292-0001.
Freshman players on All “A” Classic state all-tournament team
Holy Cross freshman center Sidney Thomas and Walton-Verona freshman guard Haylee Neely were among the players named to the Kentucky All “A” Classic girls’ all-state tournament team.
Thomas scored 33 points, shot 69.5 percent (16 of 23) from the field and pulled down 19 rebounds in two games for the Indians. Her team lost to Murray, which went on to win the small-school state title.
Neely’s two-game stats included 24 points, seven assists and five steals. She was also 7-for-7 at the free throw line for the Bearcats, who lost to Williamsburg in the tournament’s only overtime game.