Category: Sports

Students protest ICE during Friday’s homecoming game

by Areli Hernandez

While student walk-outs protesting ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) have occurred at several local high schools and across Indiana recently, a small group of JHS students stood together to make their voices be heard at last Friday’s homecoming game to bring awareness to current events.

Students make their way down to the main gym while lifting their signs up high on Feb 13. Junior Tristan Cooley hopes his message brings awareness to many. “I want the audience to see that even people in cities like Jeffersonville — even high school students in the cities of Jeffersonville where there isn’t a large ICE presence — see this as an issue where the government needs to do something about it.” Photo by Areli Hernandez.
Freshman Khloe Garcia holds a Mexican flag and sign on Feb 13. The planned protest went through several changes by student organizers before last Friday. Regardless of changes to the protest, Garcia said she intends to inspire others with their action. “To me as long as we are speaking up about what’s going on in the world right now — I think that’s all that matters. We are not here to change the thoughts of anyone, but to encourage others to speak up.” Photo by Areli Hernandez.
Students stand while raising their signs on Feb 13. Despite the mixed emotions, senior Makensie Moriarity remains determined. “I feel very upset, sad, angry, and I wish it didn’t come to this, but we are here and we’re going to make our difference.” Photo by Areli Hernandez.
Chanting continues throughout the homecoming game on Feb 13. Sophomore Makenzi Middleton said she recognizes the impact of the youth while addressing common assumptions. “A lot of people think that kids don’t understand what’s going on with politics, but we are not too young to be affected by them. The world needs to be more peaceful, loving, and supportive because we all bleed the same color— we are all humans, have families, and emotions.” Photo by Areli Hernandez.
The student-led protest continues following halftime at the Feb 13 homecoming game. Senior Lily Whitson’s said her motivation stems from her closest loved ones. “I know a lot of my family doesn’t have the voice to speak out, so I’m doing my best to be the voice for them.” Photo by Areli Hernandez.
The student-led protest continues following halftime on Feb 13. Cooley expressed his personal perspective, “I don’t agree with what’s going on in our country right now, and I want to speak out about it —history shows we can’t stay silent.” Photo by Areli Hernandez.
by jhshyphen

Homecoming royalty crowned at Friday night’s JHS-Bedford game

All photos by Magdalene Conrad and Abygail Lawson. Click on each photo below to view the gallery.

Senior queen candidates Kaydee Merrifield, Kendall Curry, Riley Dobson, and Kyndal McCartin pose for a picture. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Sophomore homecoming court representatives Malik Fulton and Mya Corbin. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Freshman homecoming court representatives Quincy Greene and Kylie Lantrip. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Senior queen candidate Kaydee Merrifield and sophomore Dennis Van Duyn. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Junior homecoming court representatives Parker McCloskey and Alayah Brown. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Senior king candidate Ubaldo Pille Jaramillo and senior queen candidate Kendall Curry. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Senior king candidate Jacob Lantrip and senior queen candidate Riley Dobson. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Senior king candidate Victor Tenev and senior queen candidate Kyndal McCartin Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Sophomore homecoming court representatives Kai Helton and Lorelei Darling. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Freshman homecoming court representatives Reno Jones-Turner and Allison Sharp. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Junior homecoming court representatives Ke’Mari Smith & Kynnadee Harris. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Senior Ubaldo Pille Jaramillo is crowned by previous homecoming king, Luke Church. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Senior Riley Dobson crowned winter homecoming queen. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Senior Riley Dobson celebrates with last winter’s homecoming queen, Violet Fondrisi, during Friday night’s ceremony. Photo by Abygail Lawson
Seniors Riley Dobson and Ubaldo Pille Jaramillo pose for a photo after being crowned homecoming king and queen. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

by jhshyphen

JHS defeats Bedford North Lawrence 75-42 on Friday as Red Devils celebrate homecoming

Some students displayed signs protesting ICE during the game

All photos by Malachi Conrad and Abygail Lawson. Click on each image in the gallery below to view photographs.

Check back tomorrow for homecoming festivity photographs, including images of the crowning.

Senior Terrence Nord does his pregame introduction with junior Caleb Jones right before tip-off of Friday’s homecoming game against Bedford North Lawrence. The Red Devils won 75-42 and improved to 7-11 overall this season. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Senior Zion Mitchell wins the tip-off against BNL. Jeffersonville defeated the Stars 75-42 at Friday’s homecoming game. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Senior Elijah Cheeks passes the ball to the right wing. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Some JHS students held signs in the crowd to protest ICE during Friday night’s home game against Bedford North Lawrence. Photo by Abygail Lawson.
Some JHS students in the crowd hold signs protesting ICE during Friday night’s homecoming game against Bedford North Lawrence. Photo by Abygail Lawson.
Some JHS students in the crowd hold signs protesting ICE during Friday night’s homecoming game against Bedford North Lawrence. Photo by Abygail Lawson.
Sophomore Fred Stone takes the open lane and makes a lay-up against the BNL defense. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Senior Terrence Nord takes a breather in the 1st quarter of Friday’s homecoming game against BNL. Nord helped the Red Devils win 75-42. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Caleb Jones plays defense during Friday’s homecoming game at Johnson Arena. JHS won 75-42 on homecoming night. Photo by Abygail Lawson.
The JHS pep band performs a halftime song before the homecoming court unveiling. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Caleb Jones attempts a lay-up in the 3rd quarter. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
The Red Devils gather during a time-out to talk strategy during Friday’s home game against Bedford North Lawrence. Photo by Abygail Lawson.
The Red Devils cheer on their teammates after a made 3-pointer. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen

Red Devils face Bedford North Lawrence at homecoming game tonight

by Austin Bainbridge

Jeff is looking to get back into the win column at tonight’s Homecoming game after a three-game slide as the Red Devils make their final push to sectionals.

Jeff faces Southern Indiana rival Bedford North Lawrence at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Johnson Arena.

“I think that this upcoming game is just a must win.  We’ve been having a hard season and a hard time connecting as a team. So hopeful we can breeze through this game and prepare ourselves for sectionals,” said sophomore center Mason Longest.

The players are always looking for a good crowd to get them ready to play.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of important people at that game, and it’s just going to give us the fire to win and we’re just going to play hard,” said sophomore center Demauri Crosby.

But having the belief in their skills has gotten the team as far as they are.

“I see a lot of confidence in the team, and that doesn’t come from nowhere; it comes from success, and I think a win against BNL would definitely help with that confidence,” said head coach Sherron Wilkerson.

BNL is struggling in the height department, topping out at 6 ‘3, and Jeff is waiting to exploit that.

“I think we’ll be able to get a lot of post touches, and we should be able to easily get a lot of rebounds,” said Crosby.

The first stat everyone looks at is the team’s record, but the players say it hasn’t been that simple with many of the teams they’ve played.  

“Don’t look at the (opponent’s)record. I mean, it’s an Indianapolis team, so they’re obviously going pay hard.  So, we just need to come home and play harder. We played a Warren Central team with a bad record and lost, so don’t regard that,” said Crosby.

Graphic by Magdalene Conrad.

This is Senior Night and homecoming, where a king and queen will be crowned, and with that the coaches don’t just see a celebration, but a lesson.

“I hope it affects the seniors in a way that we’re running out of games. We’re running out of opportunities to get the stuff that needs to be addressed addressed, so there needs to be a sense of urgency,” said Wilkerson.

Moving forward after BNL tonight, Jeff will end this season playing four straight games against .500 teams, and they’re looking to make final adjustments before the playoffs.

“Those teams obviously aren’t powerhouses, but we can’t count them out. I think they will be a great chance to get everything in tune for when it matters most in sectionals,” said Longest.

by jhshyphen

Wrestlers’ successes stem from habits formed throughout the season

by Aubrey Cummings

Wrestling, the sport of the strong-bodied and strong-minded, may be wrapping up its season, but recent competitions are results of training and mentality from throughout the season. 

Both boys and girls wrestlers are competing in their final matches, as girls’ wrestling just sent junior Abi Lemon to the state finals, and the boys’ wrestlers get ready to compete in regionals this weekend at JHS.

As junior wrestler Scarlett McRae said, “Wrestling isn’t just a sport; it’s a daily choice to suffer so you can stand taller later.”

While Red Devils wrestlers are standing taller as they compete this winter, the season technically begins in the early months of the school year with conditioning.

Sophomore Jaylen Howard gets a pin for the Red Devils. Howard advances to regionals to compete this weekend. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

In the fall is when the fun – or suffering – actually begins. The girls’ season officially starts right after fall break each year, and the boys are not far behind, starting at the end of October. 

Sophomore wrestler Jaylen Howard said, “Wresting is more than just a winter sport because it starts the day school starts in August and ends July the next year — just in time for the season to start again, creating a never-ending cycle.”

What most people don’t know is that, unlike some sports, wrestling doesn’t end with an in-season break.  As soon as the technical season ends, wrestlers jump right into the off-season, whether it be coaching local elementary students or going to meets across the country.

“It’s a year-round thing. Every single weekend is seen as a new opportunity to get more matches in. Anything less and you’re selling yourself short while your competition is getting better,” 2024 graduate and wrestler Dawson Slaughter explained.

Off-season isn’t just about training for those in high school. It’s also about teaching those who may eventually participate in high school.  The Jeff wrestling program is bigger than just the high school.

Junior Abi Lemon shows determination during a wrestling meet. Lemon is a four-sport athlete who advanced to the state finals this season. Submitted photo.

“Wrestling’s a year round thing, whether you’re helping younger kids with their wrestling careers or trying to improve yourself for the next season,” said Lemon, a four-sport athlete who advanced to the state finals this year.

Middle and elementary school wrestlers are considered a part of the Team Jeff wrestling program and family, too.  Jeff High wrestlers teach and practice with these younger athletes, so they know a friendly face in the coming years.

“Going to the middle schools allows for us to become greater leaders and know who we are leaving the program to when we are finished,” said senior Abril Andres.

Wrestling has never been described as an easy sport.  In order to compete, participants must have a strong mind.  They must be able to fight the odds and keep going. This is what makes wrestling what it is.

As junior wrestler Will Honaker said, “The definition of wrestling is to struggle.”

This shows not only the difficulty of wrestling but also the mindset the participants are in.  They know going into it that it’s not going to be easy, but still, they do it.

by jhshyphen

Red Devils defeat Seymour 69-41 on Senior Night

All photos by Magdalene Conrad, Kirk Owen, and Parker McCloskey. Click on each photo in the gallery below.

Sophomore MaKenna Taylor highfives her teammates during the announcement of the starting five. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
The Jeffersonville Girls’ Basketball team, coaches, family, and friends gather for a photo after Senior Night celebrations. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Senior Kelis Dansby looks to rebound during the warm-up period for Jeffersonville. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Before the game the team pledged to the flag, presented by the JROTC Apollo. Photo by Kirk Owen.
Senior Maizy Smith goes for a fade away shot with three Seymour players surrounding her. Photo by Kirk Owen.
Senior Kelis Dansby performs a layup during Tuesday’s game against Seymour. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Maizy Smith takes a shot contested by Seymour’s senior Claire Skaggs. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Sophomore Alicia Mangrum takes a shot for Jeffersonville. Mangrum scored 20 points in the game. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Sophomore Alicia Mangrum hits a jump shot for 2 points in the first quarter. Photo by Kirk Owen.
Senior Kelis Dansby drives the ball against her Seymour defender. Dansby scored 10 points. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
The Red Devils cheer on their teammates during the match-up against Seymour. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Sophomore MaKenna Taylor performs a jump-shot. She scored 10 points in the Tuesday night win over Seymour. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Sophomore MaKenna Taylor shoots a three-pointer for the Red Devils. The Red Devils faced Seymour this past Tuesday. Jeffersonville defeated the Owls 69-41. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
by jhshyphen

Jeff High defeats Floyd Central, Providence over the weekend

All photos by Malachi Conrad and Macaleb Conrad. Click on each photo in the gallery below.

Senior Zion Mitchell attempts a layup through contact. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Coach Sherron Wilkerson gives his team advice and motivates them to win the game. Jeff beat Floyd Central 49-48 on Jan. 16 in the closing seconds of the game. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Sophomore Fred Stone shoots a 3-pointer in the 2nd quarter against Floyd Central on Friday. Jeff won 49-48 in the final seconds with a go-ahead basket by senior Terrence Nord. by Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Vontrell James looks to pass the ball at the Jeff-FC game on Friday. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Sophomore Mason Longest looks to pass the ball while being defended at Floyd Central on Friday night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
The starting lineup in Jeffersonville’s game against Providence talks to each other before the jump ball. The Red Devils beat Providence 50-39 Saturday night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Jacob Wilkerson shoots a wide-open mid-range shot against Providence. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Vontrell James scans the floor, preparing to pass the ball. Photo by Macaleb Conrad.
Senior Germaine Perry begins to drive the ball in the third quarter. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Jacob Wilkerson makes a layup at the end of the game. The 50-39 win against Providence capped off two days of victories against local teams for Jeff High. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
by jhshyphen

Hoosier fans anxiously await Monday’s national championship football game

by Brennan Zoeller and Jilliann Denbo

From taking down No. 9 Alabama 38-3, to then embarrassing No. 5 Oregon 56-22, the undefeated 15-0 Hoosiers don’t seem to be slowing down as they head into Monday’s national championship game against Miami (13-2).  

On Monday, Indiana hopes to win it all in Miami. Since 1899, the Hoosiers have never won a football national championship and have been among the programs with the most football losses.

Hoosier fans hope that changes Monday night.

“I think they’ve worked harder than anyone else and deserve it. They’re professional when it counts and don’t show mercy, which is why they’re so good,” said sophomore John Steele.

Some are sure Indiana will beat Miami, but others are still nervous only because they are used to losing.

“Miami is obviously a great team, but I think we may be even better. I am still nervous but I think some of those nerves stem from so many years of watching IU football lose. I’ve been conditioned to expect us to lose and I am still trying to remind myself that we have a real possibility to win the national championship,” said Northaven Academic improvement coordinator Kelly Allen, an IU fan.

This national championship game is bringing many long-time fans together to watch their all time favorite team.

“Family had a lot to do with me being an IU fan. But in 1987 I was 15 years old watching Keith Smart hit a last second shot to win the basketball national championship against Syracuse. If you have to pick a moment, that’s when I knew I was a Hoosier,” said IU fan Robert Denbo.

Fans have always been giving a lot to the IU community, doing anything they can to show true support.

“I show my support for my team by sharing stuff on social media and wearing my IU gear. I give to the Alumni Association as well. IU has the largest Alumni Association in the entire nation and it has the most people raising lots of money by going to games and by watching games on TV,” said Northaven principal and Hoosier fan Laura Morris.

While some fans have been cheering from home on their TVs , others have actually been going to the games.

“Seeing the joy on IU fans’ (of all ages) faces as they attend these games has been so exciting. It has been a thrilling time for fans,” Allen said from experience after being to many games.

When Allen says “of all ages,” she means it. Students all the way to teachers and parents have been ecstatic and call it a “miracle.”

“It’s crazy. I went from not even thinking about Indiana when it came to football as a fan, to now about to win a national championship. It’s a miracle,” said sophomore Liam Wooden.

The Hoosiers football team has brought hope to many, and this hope is shown and expressed in different ways, reaching all audiences.

“The way the team works together to accomplish this year’s wins has given me so much hope. Our Heisman (winner Fernando) Mendoza has also been performing better than amazing. Since 1975 I’ve been an IU fan and they’ve never come this far,” said JHS graduate and IU fan Kathleen Brennan.

With the national championship on Monday, Indiana fans are pumped up more than ever, with very high expectations.

“I think Indiana has a pretty good chance of beating Miami in the national championship because the Hoosiers have proven to be a powerhouse with trust in each other throughout the season,” stated Josie Zoeller, 2024 JHS graduate.

No. 1 Indiana (15-0) will play No. 10 Miami (13-2) in the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026:

  • Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
  • TV/Radio: Broadcast on ESPN. Radio coverage is available through the IU Alumni Association, featuring Don Fischer’s call synced to the telecast. 

by jhshyphen

JHS defeats New Albany 60-48 in Hoosier Hills Conference match-up

All photos by Magdalene Conrad and Parker McCloskey. Click on each photo in the gallery below.

Senior Kelis Dansby is called during the starting five walkout and performs her signature handshake with junior Lila Schur before last night’s game at New Albany High School. JHS won 60-48. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Senior Kiya Boatwright tips off for the Lady Red Devils. Jeffersonville defeated the Bulldogs 60-48 last night in a Hoosier Hills Conference match-up. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
S
Senior Kiya Boatwright shoots a layup for the Lady Red Devils against New Albany junior guard Alyviah Lewis-Redd. JHS won 60-48. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Sophomore Makenna Taylor competes and shoots during last night’s Hoosier Hills Conference game at New Albany. JHS won 60-48 after taking control during the second half. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Sophomore Alicia Mangrum dribbles the ball. JHS defeated New Albany 60-48 last night. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Sophomore Mckenna Taylor prepares to pass the ball. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Sophomore Makenna Taylor shoots a three pointer during last night’s game at New Albany. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Senior Kelis Dansby shoots a free throw during last night’s 60-48 win against New Albany. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Kiya Boatwright shoots the ball from mid-range as New Albany plays defense. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Kelis Dansby brings the ball up the court against New Albany last night. The Red Devils took control of the game in the second half. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
by jhshyphen