The girls’ basketball team will a make-up game tomorrow at home against Evansville North (11-7). The Red Devils are 9-10 right now in the season, and are 4-2 in the Hoosier Hills Conference. They will play Scottsburg next Tuesday and Silver Creek next Thursday, with Sectional beginning soon after.
As Sectional play nears, the Red Devils explained their greatest accomplishments this season.
Junior Maizy Smith waits for a rebound from a free throw during the Jeff game against Cathedral in November. The Red Devils won 49-39. They face Evansville North in a non-conference game at home tomorrow at 5 p.m. Photo by Madison Pritchard.
“I fixed my attitude and my body language on the court.” Junior Kelis Dansby
“Probably shooting several 3s in a game and gaining confidence in my shots.” Freshman Mya Corbin
“Gaining my confidence back and showing signs of growth physically and mentally from the beginning of the season to now.” Sophomore Lila Schurr
“Mastering key fundamentals and being able to get the ball down the court and my defensive efforts.” Sophomore Carlee Glenn
“I would say definitely how close we’ve gotten as a team. I came into this season wanting everyone to be a family, and I seriously feel like we did that. I wanted the underclassmen to trust me and I feel like I accomplished that as well.” Senior Katie Lawrence
“Being able to learn and grow with my teammates by my side, especially since this is my first year.” Freshman Makenna Taylor
“Dropping 10 on Castle.” Freshman Lore Darling “I say so far my biggest accomplishment would be being stronger at the role I was given when I joined the team.” Junior Kiya Boatwright
Update: JHS defeated Center Grove 75-45 in William S. Johnson Arena.
by Austin Bainbridge
Senior Michael Cooper faces off with Floyd Central’s Isaac Kaiser on Jan. 17. The Highlanders were up 12-6 in the first quarter, but JHS won the game 92-54. The Red Devils are 2-0 in the Hoosier Hills Conference. They play Center Grove this Friday at 7:30 p.m. Photo by Kirk Owen.
The JHS boys’ basketball team is starting to find traction on the slippery slopes of Indiana high school basketball, but the team has seen that the competition is tough and that it’s the new normal.
“Our biggest struggle has been getting adjusted to the fact that every team we play is giving us their best shot. Every opponent we play treats it like their state championship game. Their guys get really excited and prepared to play us,” said head boys’ basketball coach Sherron Wilkerson
The team is 1-2 on the road, and the players and coaching staff do not take that lightly.
“I think our record on the road is a very big deal; we put a lot of focus on it – that’s why we try to make our schedule as tough as possible. That’s also because every tournament game isn’t always at home, so you have to get used to playing on the road to win in the tournament,” said Wilkerson.
If the team wants to compete for a state championship they will need to win some pivotal rivalry and conference games
“I think our record on the road is a very big deal; we put a lot of focus on it – that’s why we try to make our schedule as tough as possible. That’s also because every tournament game isn’t always at home, so you have to get used to playing on the road to win in the tournament.”
Boys’ Basketball Coach Sherron Wilkerson
The team started out strong, edging out a win against Cathedral, but has lost some important games, which leaves their record standing at 8-5, which is not what people expected.
“I did not expect to have the record we have right now; we are from my own personal expectation, a little bit behind. That is because we haven’t made the adjustment to everybody giving us their best shot,” said Wilkerson.
The team has performed well in games, but players are always searching to critique and improve their own and their teammates’ skills.
“Our base problem is not bringing enough energy and hustle; we are too complacent,” said freshman guard Cornelius Weobong.
Even though the team isn’t where they expected to be right now, the return of senior Tre Singleton from injury has provided some good news. He has played a key role on the team in the past and with him back, they will most likely play better.
“Tre’s been playing on restricted minutes until he’s comfortable playing a full game, which we anticipate is right around the corner,” said Wilkerson.
Fans have rallied behind the Red Devils through the obstacles.
“The team has played very well, especially considering injuries and that they play tough competition,” said English teacher David Kummer.
The Red Devils ride a two-game game winning streak into this Friday’s matchup with Center Grove, including a 92-54 win over Floyd Central and a 41-29 win over Providence last weekend. The players and coaches are trying to find ways to replicate recent success for upcoming games.
“I have seen us excel in understanding what our roles are better; that is the one area where you never can be good enough. Everybody understands what is expected of them on a day-to-day basis. I’ve seen a lot of teams struggle with that,” said Wilkerson.
Players have made adjustments and improvements over the season. The coaching staff especially focuses on the growth of younger players to prepare them for varsity competition.
“I have definitely seen a lot of growth from our younger players, especially some sophomores who have improved a tremendous amount from last season up until now,” said Wilkerson.
The team will host Jennings County on Feb. 15 in a game where JHS will honor the legacy of Taylor High School, the former African-American school in Jeffersonville. The Red Devils will wear purple and gold jerseys, the colors of Taylor High School, during the game as part of the ceremony.
“I think the Taylor game is very important. It commemorates a point of time in this community that was extremely important to people. I think that from a historical perspective it’s very important that our students and student-athletes understand some of the things that our community has faced,” said Wilkerson.
This Friday’s non-conference game against the 8-5 Center Grove Trojans is at 7:30 p.m. Homecoming festivities are at halftime.
Junior Elijah Cheeks brings the ball up the court during the JHS game against Providence on Saturday. The Highlanders won 41-29 and will play Center Grove this Friday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at home. Photo by Sophia Goforth.
Despite the snow, ice, and cancelled classes, JHS student photographers photographed some images of January’s cold weather as part of their Digital Photography class.
Most images are a part of their unit on black and white photography as they study the work of Ansel Adams this month.
Click on the images in the gallery below to view their photographs.
Student Council announced this week’s Spirit Days.
Crowning of the Winter Homecoming King and Queen takes place during halftime of the boys’ varsity basketball game against Center Grove this Friday, Jan. 24, according to academy coach Natalie Woods. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m.
Special education Chloe Merkle, who helped plan the festivities, said, “Be there, be happy, and enjoy your time.”
Update, Friday Night: Kaylea Beauchamp is the 2025 IHSAA Inaugural Girls’ State 135-lb Runner-Up.
Update, 4:06 p.m.: Senior Kaylea Beauchamp has advanced to the Final Four and is two wins away from a state title.
Update, 1 p.m.: Senior Kaylea Beauchamp advanced to the medal round in today’s state wrestling finals with a 2:37 pin.
by Ifrah Daber
Meet Kaylea Beauchamp, a senior athlete on the girls’ wrestling team, a Lady Devil wrestler, and regional champion that represents Jeff High in the inaugural IHSAA girls’ state tournament today.
Senior Kaylea Beauchamp competes against her Marion C. Moore High School opponent in December. Beauchamp competes today in the first IHSAA girls’ state wrestling finals. Photo by Brian Cardoza.
Beauchamp started wrestling in middle school. She was the only girl in a group of boys, making it difficult; thoughts of quitting came to her mind. She speaks of the struggle and overthinking that could come from comparing herself to the boys on her team.
“I know it’s a lot of overthinking when it comes to wrestling because you see the boys wrestling how they are, they’re nowhere near the girls. Girls wrestling is totally different, but we aren’t soft.”
Despite these challenges, she still recommended that other women try out for wrestling, stating that there are benefits that come with wrestling, from discipline to friendships.
“It teaches you far more about discipline than just getting on the mat and trying to dominate someone. It helps you gain friends, and it’s a really bonding time.”
All this discipline has paid off for Beauchamp, as she is now taking Jeff High to the first IHSAA girls’ state tournament finals today. She spoke on the feeling of representing the school at such a large event.
“It’s always fun to represent something and seeing how proud everyone is.”
JHS showed great pride in her indeed, from signing a piece of paper wishing her luck to having her teammates attending the tournament for support.
Senior Kaylea Beauchamp competes today in the inaugural IHSAA state girls’ wrestling final. Photo by Brian Cardoza.
Despite the snow, ice, and cancelled classes, JHS student photographers photographed some images of this week’s cold weather as part of their Digital Photography class.
Most images are a part of their unit on black and white photography as they study the work of Ansel Adams this month.
Click on the images in the gallery below to view their photographs.
Despite the snow, ice, and cancelled classes, JHS student photographers photographed some images of this week’s cold weather as part of their Digital Photography class.
Most images are a part of their unit on black and white photography as they study the work of Ansel Adams this month.
Click on the images in the gallery below to view their photographs.
This is the second Winter ’25 Photo Essay featuring work by JHS photographers; feel free to check out the first Winter ’25 Photo Essay as well.
Despite the snow, ice, and cancelled classes, JHS student photographers photographed some images of this week’s cold weather as part of their Digital Photography class.
Most images are a part of their unit on black and white photography as they study the work of Ansel Adams this month.
Click on the images in the gallery below to view their photographs. More will be added in the next few days as this post is updated.
Health Office assistant Donna Poole. ELA teacher Zuly Barker. ELA teacher Natalie Witherspoon. Science teacher Francesca Hernandez. ELA teacher Fannika Fahime Seifi.
The doorway becomes open. The dark winding pathway to depression is in sight. A pathway no person should have to walk no matter how young or old.
An estimated 280 million people in the world suffer from the mental illness depression. In people under the age of 50 the leading cause of death is suicide. Five percent of people self-harm by cutting themselves. Eighty-one percent of people from the ages 15-24 who have vaped say they started to decrease their stress, anxiety, or depression.
Most depression starts in late fall to early winter. The main major leading cause of depression is stressful life events. In the United States depression peaks at the age of 40 for women and 50 for men. The depression rate of people in Indiana is 32.9%.
It’s safe to say depression is a very serious and dangerous illness.
More than an estimated of 30 million people have thought about committing suicide, almost four million people have made a plan to commit suicide, and nearly two million people have committed suicide. Depression can be a very serious illness that can lead to suicide.
Suicidal thoughts in teens can turn deadly. Too many families have lost their children due to their battle with depression. It’s truly a tragic tale repeated time and time again a tale that doesn’t end with a happy ever after.
There are many ways to get help if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or actions. Texting or calling 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or going to their website at 988lifeline.org is one. Another would be texting BRAVE to 741741 and a trained crisis counselor will help.
Suicide leaves many beaten and bruised. Not just those who have tried but those who knew the ones who have or did successfully attempt. It leaves families and friends crushed, a forever scar on the inside, the scars people don’t and won’t see unless they’re shown. Sometimes showing people these scars creates new ones, but we have to learn to live with our past rather than let it haunt and taunt us. We will not and cannot stop until we have shown these people with these scars still cutting deep that they will be okay.
Lights can be turned back on, just let them. Don’t be fooled by this darkness. That walkway ends, and that door will be shut.
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