Senior Camden White brings leadership, energy to JHS tennis

by Allison Sharp

Senior boys’ tennis player Camden White gets out of his car while grabbing his supplies for the first tennis match of the season. As he grabs his racket and water, he waves over to his friends that are calling him over. He realizes that this is going to be the first match to start off his last year playing tennis.

“I think after my full four years I am just done with the sport. It takes a lot of time and I want to be able to focus on my education more,” said White. 

Even though White will not continue playing tennis after high school, he still has his senior year to play. 

“I am most excited for overnight tournaments, because it is good team bonding and the tournaments are very competitive, so it makes them a lot of fun.”  

However to White, tennis is more than about fun times. 

“Although tennis is a team sport it comes down to you individually and how you win and how you play reflects on the whole team. You have to rely on yourself mentally to handle the situations.”

He’s been handling these situations since his freshman year when he started playing and has continued to rely on his mentality during tough times of the sport. 

A teammate of White’s, senior KJ Westbay, said, “Camden brings good energy every day and is always positive, like always brings my attitude up when I’m feeling down.” 

This shows not just how good of a tennis player White is, but a contribution to the JHS tennis team. Even with all of White’s tennis practices throughout the week he tries to make some time in his free time or hanging out with his friends. During these times, White will play pickleball with friends, and loves to golf. Though his schedule may be very busy, White loves the sport and has grown from when he started playing. 

“Camden is a good leader; he’s a good leader of the sportsmanship we want to see on the team and he’s a good leader on the off season. Like I mentioned earlier he puts a lot of time in the offseason working on his game, it is a good example to the underclassmen,” said assistant coach Emma Ellis. 

White has loved playing tennis for his high school career and even though he won’t be playing when he goes to college, he will always remember the skills and mindsets that the sport has given him. 

“People can learn how to handle their emotions more because it puts you under a lot of pressure by yourself and it shows how you handle certain situations.” 

Favorite ColorNavy Blue
Favorite MovieDivergent
BirthdayJune 21 
Favorite foodSushi 

Championship Victory

Red Devils defeat New Albany 2-1 last night to win Hoosier Hills Conference

Photos by Malachi Conrad and Parker McCloskey. Additional reporting by Austin Bainbridge.

Behind the Scenes

Drew Davis uses soccer to teach life lessons

by Louis Stifler

Junior varsity soccer coach Drew Davis crouches down on to the ground to discuss the product of the half with his team. He describes how their Evansville Reitz opponents play and the weakness his players may leverage for their success and what they might improve on in the next half.

“He tells me what to do and we just win games and that’s what it’s all about,” said freshman Ryan McKinley, a JV soccer starter.

Not only does he help them on the field but he teaches them other lessons, especially off the field. 

“It’s teaching them to work with others and learning that you won’t win everything, but if you stay the course with the right game plan you will be successful in life,” recounted Davis. “It teaches discipline and responsibility in that you sacrifice stuff for others.”

Coach Davis has been in the soccer program for 13 years. He has also coached at several other schools and played during his high school years.

“I would say when I started to get to high school and would watch games with friends it was more than anything I could really imagine,” remarked Davis.

Out of all the years, though, Coach Davis said that this year is different for the soccer program. 

“I think that this team from top to bottom is the best team since I have been here. It’s a marriage of skill and belief,” stated Davis. 

Junior varsity soccer coach Drew Davis instructs freshman Ryan McKinley during the Providence game. Photo by Louis Stifler.

This team seems to have something different to it that both the coaches and the players see.

“It is a lot more accepting and a lot more people have come out,” said sophomore JV player Ryland Prichard.

The atmosphere of the teams signifies that there is a different fire this year. Over the years it was building up. The coaches can feel it, and so can the players. 

“My goal would one day to be fighting for a state title. You do that by not just winning games, but getting good grades, being a leader,on and off the field, and just being a role model,” stated Davis. 

This soccer program has improved under all of those who support it. 

Davis said the JHS soccer success has been special, especially in “the years when JV had an undefeated season — which I never thought I’d do — and the varsity season last year as we went as far as I did as a player.” 

Coach Davis has brought this program back up higher than ever and he plans to bring it even higher as a teacher, a leader, but especially as a coach. 

“I love coaching because I enjoy giving back to others and watching them enjoy the experience I got out of the sport and being a part of a building project, watching it grow and get.”

Freshman Camron Bell chases his soccer dreams

by Javian DeLa Luz Garcia

Freshman Camron Bell listens intently as head coach Drew Davis instructs the players on what to do during practice.

“I look forward to scoring a lot of goals and making it to sectionals and regionals,” said Bell. He is a part of the junior varsity JHS soccer team. He hopes to be a regular starter in junior varsity, and eventually be a part of the varsity soccer squad.

“I’m proud of how far I made it in soccer, because the level I am at is extremely difficult and hard,” said Bell. 

He is a normal kid. He goes to school and he hangs out with his friends; however; one of his main aspects in life is playing soccer. His main passion in life is playing soccer.

“I strive to go pro because it is my dream. It is my passion, I love this sport and I want to go pro in it,” said Bell.

Though he strives to go pro now, he has always had a passion for soccer from an early age.

“When I was three years old, my mom wanted me to try out a sport, so I chose soccer.”

After choosing soccer Bell has fallen in love with the sport of soccer ever since. His coach, Davis, is the one who trains Bell and the JV team.

“I think that he is not someone who tiptoes into challenges. He throws himself into challenges. He puts 110% effort in all factors of the game,” said coach Davis.

Freshman Camron Bell. Photo by Mason McGuire.

Freshman Cayden Stolte, Bell’s teammate, agreed with Davis, describing him as a good goalscorer for the team. 

Although his life mostly consists of sports he also gives effort into school. Bell has to be on top of his school work to be able to play in this soccer team. The school has requirements to be able to play in a school team.

“Nothing below a D and if you have a D you have to have no missing assignments,” said Bell.

Having to deal with both his school and athlete life, Bell finds himself sometimes being overwhelmed by the pressure.

“Balancing them both is hard… because you have to get good grades and study and sometimes they interfere. I study at home, get good grades, and go out and play on the field,” said Bell.

It’s this philosophy that drives Bell towards success in the sport of soccer.

“Never give up, chase your dreams no matter the setbacks. And that life will get hard, just never stop trying.”

Floyd Central defeats Red Devils 42-0 on Friday

JHS to face Connersville this Friday

All photos by Malachi Conrad and Eva Harbeson.

Briscoe’s influence reaches beyond the court

Volleyball coach uses athletics to teach life lessons

by Bryce Treat 

For coach Wes Briscoe, volleyball is about more than winning games. As the JHS head boys’ and girls’ volleyball coach, he focuses on helping athletes grow through challenges, build confidence, and become the best versions of themselves.

Now in his ninth season coaching the girls’ volleyball program, Briscoe believes growth happens when athletes push beyond their comfort zones. His philosophy is reflected in one phrase that players across the program immediately recognize: “Be a jungle tiger.”

Coach Wes Briscoe talks to the team after the first set against New Albany Tuesday night. Photo by Logan Vidt.

His coaching journey began long before arriving at JHS. As a high school student, Briscoe helped coach youth sports before taking his first official coaching position at Corydon Central. Through those experiences, he learned that no two athletes are exactly alike.

“It’s more about knowing what the specific athlete needs and coaching them to be the best version of themselves,” he said.

Briscoe often encourages athletes to embrace difficult situations rather than avoid them. He believes the most growth occurs when players are willing to challenge themselves and learn from mistakes.

That message has stuck with many of his athletes. Junior Samantha Dues explained that one of Briscoe’s most important lessons is that mistakes are part of the learning process.

“He reiterates how we all make mistakes, but we know how to learn from them,” Dues said.

Briscoe’s focus on growth extends beyond volleyball skills. One of the most important lessons he shares with athletes is simple:

“Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing.” He hopes players carry that lesson with them long after their playing days are over.

Junior Ryder Lott described Briscoe’s coaching style as a balance between giving players independence and helping them improve when needed. More importantly, Lott said Briscoe stands out because of the connections he builds with athletes.

“He has a relationship with all the players. He cares about all his players,” Lott said.

The culture Briscoe has created within the volleyball program extends beyond practices and matches. Dues noted that after every match, players are encouraged to compliment a teammate, even after a loss. The tradition helps build team chemistry and reminds players to support one another regardless of the outcome.

Junior Caeley McDaniel described practices as strict but encouraging. She credits Briscoe with helping her stay motivated and encouraging her to be kinder to others. She describes Briscoe in three words: “loud, determined, and spunky.”

When adversity strikes, Briscoe encourages athletes to persevere rather than give up. His influence can also be seen in the confidence he gives his players. Dues recalled a memorable moment during her sophomore season when he trusted her to contribute during sectionals despite having less experience than some of her teammates.

“He had the confidence in me to perform for my team during sectionals, even when I had less experience than the others,” she said.

For junior Caleb Solmon, Briscoe’s success is evident in the growth of the program itself. Watching varsity players develop has motivated him to improve his own game, and he said Briscoe has helped transform inexperienced athletes into successful competitors.

“He’s made people who have never played volleyball become state contenders,” Solmon said.

Of course, players also remember Briscoe’s lighter moments. Solmon recalled one memorable incident when a player had to run 35 laps after catching the volleyball twice during a game, a story that has become part of team lore.

Whether he’s reminding athletes to be a “jungle tiger,” encouraging teammates to support one another, or helping players develop confidence in themselves, Briscoe’s impact extends far beyond volleyball. Through his leadership, Red Devil athletes continue to grow not only as players, but as people.

Junior Jaylianah Burris waves goodbye as the Red Devils and coach Wes Briscoe celebrate their win against Rock Creek. The Red Devils defeated the Lions 3-0. Photo by Shelby Keesee.

New Albany defeats JHS in volleyball 3-0 last night

Photos by Isaiah Stewart and Logan Vidt.

Youth not an obstacle for volleyball team

Red Devils face New Albany tonight

by Carter Glotzbach 

This past year JHS girls’ volleyball had one of their best seasons yet, and with a solid start to this year’s season and rival New Albany visiting tonight, it’s clear that the young team is ready to grow up.

Head coach Wes Briscoe sees new potential for growth in this year’s team. 

“This year’s team is one of my favorites, but it’s really hard to say how they stack up to last year considering how young they are. I also think that you’ll see some breakout seasons from new key players because they’re not having to wait behind older ones,” said Briscoe. 

Managers like junior Ryder Lott agree with the head coach’s sentiment. 

“I think the team is really young, but working with them I see a lot of potential in them,” said Lott.

While a younger team is usually viewed as a disadvantage, some see an opportunity. Assistant coach Mackenzie Wilkins said a younger team often provides best opportunity to teach new skills.  

“A younger team is a gift, in my opinion, because they are much more willing to learn and try new things,” she said. 

Junior Kaylee McDaniel states the team is unified despite the youth. 

“I think our team is definitely younger, but we have a much stronger bond and are more willing to play as a team,” she said. 

Junior Haliun Otgonbayar serves an ace during the JHS game against Rock Creek Academy. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.

Junior Haliun Otgonbayar agrees that the Red Devils have an exceptionally strong connection this year.

“We definitely are a tighter knit group and have a closer bond with each other. I think that definitely makes us more dedicated to the team,” said Otgonbayar.

Coach Briscoe recognizes the team’s unity, stating, “I’ve seen it a lot during practice. This year’s team has a much stronger bond than last year’s, and they are definitely more willing to play as a team.”

Players will rely on these bonds as they face local competition this season.

“Some of our biggest competitors are always at the Providence tournament, and last year they gave us some great competition. This year I hope we can make it further than last year’s team, but we’re still really young,” said Briscoe.

The Red Devils understand the strength of their schedule. 

“Providence is definitely a team to look out, for as well as New Albany, Charlestown and Floyd Central,” said McDaniel.

“I think that Floyd Central and New Albany are definitely the biggest competition that we have this year,” added Otgonbayar. 

Coach Briscoe sees the possibility of break-out performances this season. 

“I would keep an eye out for Kaylie Fuller,” he said. “She has shown a lot of potential in practice and could definitely be a high-level player with a few years of work. She’s a great practice player.”

Leadership from team veterans is expected as the volleyball team continues to play in the coming weeks.

“Jordyn Miller is a player I expect to do well this year. She’s a multi-sport athlete, but she’s definitely been working hard to earn her place on the team. Another player with good work ethic is Charlotte Hatfield — she has shown a lot of potential and worked hard in the off-season,” said Briscoe  

The Red Devils huddle up before the game against Christian Academy. Photo by Logan Vidt.

Lott said consistent play will be important as the season continues.

“I see a lot of potential in the team offensively, but I think they need to work on their consistency. If they can keep it up throughout the sets then I think they could have a top tier offense.”

JHS faces New Albany at home tonight, and will visit North Harrison on Sept. 21 before hosting Floyd Central Sept. 29.

Cross country program seeks support as athletes continue to excel

Editor’s Note: This story was completed before recent coaching changes with the cross country team.

by Isaiah Gatton and Elijah Lahrman

As the cross country season continues, the growing team hopes for increased support and recognition.

Former head coach Sam Mull spent 21 years involved with the program, first as an assistant before eventually becoming head coach. As a former JHS runner himself, Mull experienced the challenges of the sport firsthand.

“So when I was here, I did every sport possible, but I was mainly a runner. I did football, did basketball, wrestled, swam, cross-country, and track, but I was a track runner, mainly,” said Mull.

Mull said cross country presents a unique mental challenge because runners are constantly competing against some of the best athletes in the state and the daunting fact that it’s running.

“This is probably the toughest mental sport that you’ll ever participate in,” he said.

He explained that unlike team sports, athletes advance as individuals, and ultimately how well they do depends on them. 

“If you’re a 100-meter runner, you’re not competing against 475 other teams in the state; you’re competing against a 1000 other kids in the state. And you’ve got to advance against those thousand each week and get knocked out and knocked out until you make it to the final, final level. It’s a very, very difficult sport to advance in,” said Mull.

While the sport itself presents challenges, Mull said the Jeffersonville cross country program faces another problem: a lack of recognition and funding compared with other sports.

“We don’t get recognized as much as other team sports, such as basketball and football. Results are often overlooked or discredited. And when it comes to funding for equipment, it’s often overlooked. And I’ve had to go outside the school on many occasions to get basic equipment that schools should provide for both sports,” said Mull.

Members of the 2026-27 cross-country team pose for a photo before their first meet on August 15. Photo by Aby Lawson.

The lack of support is something athletes have noticed as well. Senior cross country runner Lizette Gonzalez said the team needs more support from the school and community in order to grow.

“The team needs more girls, more support from school, parents, friends, and others so we can thrive as a team. ‘Cause right now, our backbone is basically Mull. He’s the one that’s been getting us everything, either funding or fundraisers, or just paying out of pocket,” said Gonzalez.

Mull also had problems getting funding for his other sport, track and field, saying that the condition of the equipment isn’t up to the standard needed due to having the same hurdles for 30 years, and how the track itself is not up to the condition of other schools, suggesting that it may need to be updated to 8 to 10 lanes.

Athletic director AJ Moye said the JHS athletic programs often have to generate their own funding rather than relying on a large yearly athletic budget.

“We have to generate a lot of our own revenue. We have to generate a lot of our own funds to help out our students and help our student-athletes get better facilities, get better things,” he said.

Moye said the athletic department works to form partnerships with businesses and promote student-athletes both on and off the field.

“We show them our student-athletes; we show them not only what they do in terms of their athletic fields, but man, we show them in the classroom,” said Moye. “It’s not like every year I’m getting $250,000. So I have to go out and form partnerships, go out, market our student-athletes.”

Despite these challenges, Mull said there are positive signs for the cross country team this year. The girls’ team has grown, with Mull saying the program has more athletes this year than in any of his previous four seasons. The boys’ team, however, remains at around eight runners, a number that has stayed relatively consistent over the past few years.

“We have a lot of girls. Most girls I’ve had in the four years I’ve had the team. Boys, looks like we’re sitting at eight, which we’ve stayed at for the past couple of years, and I would like to see that grow, but we just continue to truck along with what we’ve got, keep encouraging people to come out,” said Mull.

For students who might want to try running, Mull encourages them not to discount themselves.

“It’s one of those things that you got to come out, and you just got to prove yourself day in and day out, and a lot of people find that maybe it’s not for them, but there’s another handful of those kids that also find out that it is very rewarding and they find out being much better than they thought they were,” he said.

With more students joining the team and greater support from the school and community, the cross country program has an opportunity to continue growing both on and off the course.

Junior Marcus Baker runs in the cross country team’s first meet of the season on August 15. Photo by Aby Lawson.

Junior Marcus Baker has been part of the cross-country team for three years and has contributed a lot of his efforts to the team, motivating everyone, showing up to practice, and overall being a figurehead. 

“I think cross country is a mental sport for everybody. I think it is good for people to go out and run. Get out all your personal stuff at home,” said Baker. “For me, running helps with my mental stuff, getting all my stress out.”

Baker looks past the fact that cross country can be a difficult and physical sport. Instead, he sees it as a way to decompress and hang out with friends. For him and many other runners, cross country is more than just a sport; it is also a way to improve their mental well-being and build relationships with their teammates. 

Funding is important for the continued growth of the cross country program, providing better equipment, uniforms, and transportation for the team.

“It would be cool to get some new uniforms,” said Baker. 

With more financial support from the school and community, the team could have more opportunities to improve, compete, and attract new runners. As the cross country team continues to grow each year, support from the community could play an important role in helping the program reach its full potential.

“The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare,” stated Mull.

JHS defeats Jennings County 4-0 on Saturday

Red Devils improve to 8-1-1 this season

Photos by Reilly Davis.

Seniors Jomall Owens and Jaelyn Hernandez crowned homecoming royalty on Friday

Photos by Malachi Conrad and Shelby Keesee.

Kokomo defeats JHS 34-0 on Friday

Red Devils travel to Floyd Central this Friday

All photos by Malachi Conrad, Shelby Keesee, and Mason Ridge.

JHS defeats Floyd Central 3-1 last night

All photos by Parker McCloskey.