Photos by Madison Pritchard, Kirk Owen and Stella Siewert
Red Devils beat Cathedral Saturday night as Homecoming royalty is crowned
Category: Sports
Red Devils begin season of high expectations this weekend
by Austin Bainbridge
Head coach Sherron Wilkerson sits at his desk, planning practices and workouts and developing ways to help players improve. During the offseason, Wilkerson has to put in a lot of effort to maintain one of Indiana’s best high school teams.
“To win a state championship as a team we must be disciplined and mentally tough,” said Wilkerson.
JHS has a tough schedule and has high expectations from players and coaches alike this season, but the players aren’t concerned about the pressure.
“I’m not worried about the competition; our coaches have given us everything we need to win,” said freshman Cornelius Weobong.
The coaches help the players improve, but the players know to get better they have to work on their own time to meet the expectations they’ll face this season.
“I work out with the team, but I also do pushups every night. I also jump a lot to improve my vertical,” said varsity player and senior PJ Douglas.
“To win a state championship as a team we must be disciplined and mentally tough.”
Basketball Coach Sherron Wilkerson
This commitment is essential for the Red Devils, who are expected to contend for a state championship.
“This season is different because we are in contention for a state championship, and that’s huge for this team,” said Wilkerson.
The players have a good reason to believe in their skills, as they train intensely. The players know what’s at stake.
“I train hard seven days a week so that we can make and win a state championship,” said Weobong.
The confidence of everyone surrounding JHS, especially the fans, is high.
“I think they are going to win a state championship, and I’m excited to see it,” said English teacher David Kummer.
The hype for this team has very good reason, too. The coaches have helped the players get better since the final game of last year’s 20-8 season that ended in a 52-51 semi-state finals loss to Ben Davis.
“My coaches have really helped me improve my game by showing me what I need to work on,” said Weobong.
These players feel that confidence. They worked hard all summer and fall getting ready for the first game.
“Practice is a big part of what we do. It translates directly into games,” said Douglas.
The fans are also hoping to help this team out on the court
Kummer said, “Fans contribute to the team during the games with big crowds that can motivate this team to play better.”
This team’s hope for the season is sky-high, and they are ready to get on the court and meet those expectations.
“As a team, we put in the work, and are ready to back up the expectations,” said Douglas.
JHS faces Cathedral High School at home this Saturday; the boys’ and girls’ teams will play. The theme is “White Out,” and the fall Homecoming crowning postponed due to weather will take place at halftime of the boys’ varsity game.
Homecoming celebrated this weekend after several weeks of delays due to weather
by Shelby Keesee
At long last, after weeks of deferral, Jeff High’s long awaited Homecoming is set to take place this weekend.
Yet what is Homecoming – and why are we thrilled?
Homecoming is the celebration of school traditions and the highlighting of certain students whose goals are to become Homecoming King and Queen. Others may attend to commemorate JHS, dress fancily, or simply to socialize with peers while showing Red Devil spirit.
Poor weather conditions several weeks ago are to blame for the event’s delay. Storms producing heavy rains and weather warnings were present in the area prior to the original date.
After discussions with Student Council sponsor Natalie Woods, principal Pam Hall and the administrative team decided to postpone Homecoming to the first boys’ and girls’ basketball home game to give the courts their deserving recognition.
“We did not want to have our Homecoming court out there in their dresses or in their nice suits getting drenched, so we made the decision to look for an alternative date,” stated Hall.
Although Homecoming has been delayed, voter decisions have remained intact and up-to-date.
“The student population has already voted, so the first round of votes are for all those people who signed up that want to be on court or candidates, and then they are chosen by vote by their class,” stated Woods. “The second round of votes are just for the King and Queen, so the whole school gets to vote for the King and Queen of their choice.”
Results from the voting window have stayed exceptionally quiet, but the royalty and court members will be announced this Saturday night.
“We have 20 Homecoming court members. We have four duos of seniors – so we have four boys and four girls for seniors, and then we have two boys and two girls for each junior, sophomore and freshman classes,” said Woods. “Our seniors come make up the King and Queen candidates, and then our juniors, sophomores and freshmen make up what’s known as the Homecoming court.”
While attending Homecoming, JROTC Saber Team presentations are expected, along with a more formal ceremony where students are presented to JHS community members, staff and other students.
Both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams will play this Saturday; the theme is “White Out.”
Cheerleaders secure their bid to Nationals in Orlando
by Madison Pritchard
Jeff High Cheer has done it again. This marks the fourth year in a row that the team has gotten a bid to make their way to Nationals. They competed at the UCA Hoosier Hills Regional competition on Nov. 17 and received their bid to attend.
“I feel grateful and fortunate that we have been able to make it to Nationals for four years straight. I’m proud of my teammates for working hard the past six months. And I’m excited to make some more memories in Orlando,” stated senior cheerleader Violet Fondrisi, who competed at the regional.
The work doesn’t stop there, though. The cheerleading team still has a long season ahead of them.
“I take it one day at a time, and I think about how our hardest practices will only make us better,” Fondrisi said about their intense preparation.
The moment they received their bid was bittersweet, especially for the seniors on the team.
When asked about her goals for the season and Nationals, Fondrisi stated that she hopes the seniors are able to “enjoy one of (their) last experiences being a Jeff High cheerleader.”
Jeff High Cheer is hopeful for their season, and they plan to win big once they hit the mat in Orlando.
Girls’ swim and dive team competes at first meet of season
All photos by Romier Hunter-Lawrence and Maggie Nifong.
Taylor High School graduates share Clark County history in interview with Hyphen, WJHI
All photos by Ifrah Daber and Andrea Campbell.
Readers can learn more on the history of Taylor High School by examining Greta Reel’s May, 2020 Hyphen story.
Editor’s Note: This story will be updated as JHS media and other student organizations examine the history and legacy of Jeffersonville’s Taylor High School.
Feature Photo: Covering the Red Devils
Red Devil volleyball begins Round 1 of Sectional, playing tonight against Providence
Cross country teams driven by unity, focus
by Isabella Stewart
The cross country team has grown significantly this year, starting with the size of the team. Coach Sam Mull, who also coaches track, has seen growth from runners this year and encourages each runner to run track for the spring.
This year’s cross country team has a fair amount of the same team as the previous year; the only major difference is that this year’s girls’ team is slightly larger than in past years. Coach Mull is always welcoming more.
Cross country is a coed sport. Team members practice everyday from 2:45 to 4:30, and the girls and boys practice and then attend meets together.
Freshman Marcus Baker described the intensity of running for a high school team.
“As a student who went to Parkview Middle School, I can say this is a different experience than back in middle school. I feel like I have run better this season than any other, and I think the reason is the coach.”
Mull said, “The best part about coaching is watching kids who don’t believe in themselves do something they thought they couldn’t.” That’s something that motivates him everyday because he loves to watch them grow significantly as a person and as a runner.
Senior Isa Santos Moore is in his first year of running cross country, and his brother, junior Ari Santos Moore, is the reason he got into it. Isa stated that running cross country is a team sport that requires a mental focus.
“Journaling and talking to myself really help me run because focusing on my mentality is what is going to get me through the race with the help of my teammates.”
Senior Brian Juarez said unity is an important part of the cross country team’s success.
“What makes a great team is their loyalty, responsibility, accountability, and always being there for each other holding each and everyone accountable,” he said.
Coach Mull added, “Cohesiveness as a group: a group of kids who all get along and then from there cross country is based on discipline as a runner and strength.”
The cross country teams head into a Hoosier Hills COnference tournament tomorrow at Columbus East.
Struck shares deeper understanding of JHS weight room for students and athletes
by Sarah Baloucoune and D’Zyiah Moore
Training is essential for athletes who wish to progress in their sport, but also for people who want to be in good shape and live long. With that said, the JHS weight room plays a key role in making any Jeffersonville high schooler improve their abilities with the help of the coaching staff.
Coach Danny Struck is a professional in weightlifting and wrestling. He dedicated his life to sports and helping people reach their full potential while training. His students from all grades play different sports, from volleyball to wrestling, and even bowling and track. Everyone could use a bit of help from the weight room, he said.
The National Institute of Health shows how the use of weight rooms can improve strength and dexterity, making it good for anyone.
The weight room, renovated 15 years ago by Struck, is a refuge for students hungry for power and training. The funds and donations raised by the wrestling coach helped him turn it into a multifunctional room in which students can practice weightlifting, speed training, and yoga on a daily basis.
With that being said, the weight room is a source of help and support for physical, mental, and psychological health, as it makes student-athletes push their limits and unwind from the stresses of the day, while also staying active and focusing on their health. It is good for injury prevention and power training, which is an aid when living an active life.
According to Struck, the room isn’t only beneficial for athletes, but for anyone, as it helps anyone in everyday life, such as running, lifting objects like groceries, walking a long time without getting tired, and keeping a clean and fresh mind.
Struck said the weight room is open to all students, as long as they respect the materials and other people using it with them. He added that he wants the weight room to be more inclusive by opening it to more female students.
Accessing the weight room is easy – students just need to be a student of Coach Struck’s classes or be in one of the school sports teams with a coach who uses the weight room as training.
More than a class, the weight room is like a second family that helps each other and wants to see each person improve and become a better version of themselves.
There you have brothers, sisters, friends and allies as “the best part of the weight room is supporting each other,” according to senior Mekhi Cooper, a member of the wrestling and tennis teams.
It’s also a “non-judgmental group with nice people,” according to senior Emily Bailey, a member of the bowling team.
Students who are interested in using the weight room should talk to their counselor, as Coach Struck is always open to new members.
