By Terry Boehmker
NKy Tribune sports reporter
The leading scorers on the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams that won 9th Region championships this season will be playing in the Ohio-Kentucky Senior All-Star Games on Saturday at Thomas More College.
Holmes guard Jynea Harris is on the Kentucky roster for the girls’ all-star game at 5:30 p.m. She averaged 14 point for the Bulldogs, who made it to the quarterfinals of the state tournament and finished with a 29-5 record.
Newport Central Catholic forward Ben Weyer is a member of the Kentucky boys’ all-star team that will play in the 7:30 p.m. game. He was voted 9th Region Player of the Year after averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds for Thoroughbreds, who made it to the state semifinals.
Campbell County center Matt Wilson is also on the Kentucky roster for the boys’ all-star game. He averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds in his senior season and was voted 10th Region Player of the Year.
The Kentucky girls’ roster includes Jenkins senior Whitney Creech, who scored 5,506 points during her seven-year varsity career to set a new state record. Creech also set a state record by averaging 50.3 points per game this season.
Proceeds from the Ohio-Kentucky Senior All-Star Game go to Ronald McDonald House, an organization that provides lodging for families of children who are in the hospital.
On Friday, all-star players will participate in a Slam Jam Festival at Thomas More that’s open to the public free of charge. There will 3-point shooting and slam dunk contests along with 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 games.
CovCath football team will play Friday night home games next season
Covington Catholic is still raising the money it needs to install permanent lights on its football field, but the Colonels will be playing most of its home games on Friday nights next season.
The school has made arrangements to use temporary lighting for Friday night home games against Sycamore on Sept. 2, Lexington Catholic on Sept. 9 and Beechwood on Sept. 16, according to athletic director Tony Bacigalupo.
CovCath’s only Saturday afternoon game next season will be against Dixie Heights on Oct. 22. The final home game will be played under the lights on Friday, Oct. 28 at the Dixie Heights stadium.
Adding permanent lights to the CovCath football/soccer field is part of an ongoing capital campaign drive to upgrade academic and athletic facilities on the high school campus.
New artificial turf was installed on the field last summer. The long-range plans also include renovating the press box and restroom facilities, adding new bleachers and creating additional parking.
Conner point guard joining national champion Thomas More team
Taylor Gambrel, starting point guard on the Conner girls’ basketball team the last three seasons, will continue her career at Thomas More College, the two-time NCAA Division III national champion.
Gambrel was the floor leader on the Conner team that made it to the 9th Region semifinals this year. She was named to the regional all-tournament team and voted one of the top 10 players in Northern Kentucky by local coaches.
She’ll be joining a Thomas More team that had five seniors on the roster this season when the Saints won the Division III championship and finished with a perfect 33-0 record for the second consecutive year.