Category: Sports

Volleyball coach Wes Briscoe focuses on making his players ‘the best version’ of themselves

by Addison Fouts

Head coach Wes Briscoe is making his mark as Jeff High’s volleyball coach, bringing energy and leadership to the Red Devils’ program. 

This year marks Briscoe’s’ 25th year of coaching; he has coached in five state finals, and has also been awarded coach of the year honors for both girls’ and boys’ volleyball. His girls’ volleyball team heads into sectional play tonight against New Albany.

Volleyball head coach Wes Briscoe on the sidelines during a girls’ volleyball match. Briscoe coaches both the girls’ and boys’ teams. Photo by Haliun Otgonbayar.

Briscoe’s focus, however, is on his teams’ successes.

“I don’t ever have any personal goals in coaching, because it’s not about me. I’ve done just about all there is to do in coaching high school athletics,” he said. 

There is no denying Briscoe’s success when it comes to coaching. 

“I want everybody to become the best versions of themselves,” he said. “My job is to figure out how to get them to see that they are more than what they believe they are.”

Pushing his players to be the best versions of themselves is just a small part of what Briscoe does for his players as a coach.

“He made me realize that I can always be better, and that I always have room for growth,” stated varsity captain Anthony Ganchuluun, a senior. “I mean without him, I don’t think I’d be anywhere near as disciplined as I am.”

It’s a testament to the culture that Briscoe has built at Jeff High. 

“I’ve learned a lot over the past years being a player for Coach Wes,” said varsity captain Riley Dobson, a senior. “He’s taught me that putting in the extra work does pay off and your time will come right when it is supposed to.”

Beyond the court, Briscoe’s influence is felt in the classroom and community. Players describe him as more than a coach, but as someone who encourages them to succeed in all aspects of life. 

For him, though, his goal is to better all of his players.

“I just want to see people understand what it takes to play at the elite level that they think they want to be at, and just keep encouraging them to put in the work so they can get there.”  

Briscoe has one goal in mind, and it is to grow his players. He cares more about his players’ integrity and leadership than how they play on the court. 

Coach Wes Briscoe and the Red Devils break from a timeout using their signature hand sign during Senior Night against North Harrison. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen

Boys’ soccer wins sectional tournament, heads to regional tonight to face Evansville North

Red Devils win first Sectional championship since 2012 by defeating Bedford North Lawrence 5-0

Sophomore Gabriel Belandria Gonzalez stands and admires the rain during the Red Devil match-up with Jennings County in the sectional tournament. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Junior Alan Solarzano Lopez guards the ball during the JHS game against Jennings County. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Maxwell Schoonover and sophomore Ariel Andres-Sandoval celebrate their goal during the sectional game against Jennings County. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Victor Tenev runs with the ball during the match-up with Floyd Central. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Elijah Cheeks runs with the ball on the sidelines during the Floyd Central sectional game. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Coach Colin Bell gives a halftime talk to the team during the JHS game against Floyd Central game. The Red Devils won 2-1, their second victory over the Highlanders this season. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Sophomore Kevyn Santiago Cortes celebrates while his teammates run behind him during the second half of the sectional game against Floyd Central. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Junior Bryan Juarez De la Luz kicks the ball toward the goal in the sectional championship game against Bedford North Lawrence. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Elijah Cheeks holds the sectional trophy while the Red Devils celebrate. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
The entire Red Devil varsity team poses up for a photo with the sectional trophy after they defeated Bedford North Lawrence 5-0. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
by jhshyphen

Columbus East defeats Red Devils 28-9; JHS plays Jennings County this Friday

All photos by Malachi Conrad.

Senior Maxwell Schoonover looks off in the distance while the national anthem plays at the beginning of the JHS game with Columbus East on Friday. Columbus East won 28-9. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Senior Tyes McCondichie runs with the ball. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Cordell Thomas takes a breather. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Sophomore Tristan Newby looks out onto the field. Jeffersonville lost to Columbus East 28-9. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Sophomore Jaxx Long helps junior Cordell Thomas off the field. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Sophomore Darien Williams looks at his opponent after he went down in Friday’s game against Columbus East. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Senior Maverick McAllister and senior Bryce Grant tackle Columbus East in the third quarter. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Sophomore Nation Roe-McBroom attempts to catch the ball. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Senior Jamar Hobbs tries to shed the Columbus East offensive linemen. Photo by Malachi
Conrad.
Sophomore Brayden Bachman throws the ball to a JHS wide receiver. Columbus East won Friday’s game 28-9. The Red Devils next play Jennings County this Friday. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
by jhshyphen

JHS prepares to face off with New Albany tonight

by Austin Bainbridge

Both Jeff and New Albany come into tonight’s game looking to get their seasons on track.

New Albany is in the search for their first win, and Jeff has lost two straight in brutal fashion. However, a win could set their campaigns straight.

“We have to win these next three; if we do that we’ll be 5-4 and going into the playoffs, that would be a success for this young team,” said head coach Joe Washington.

This is a big rivalry for both communities, and the players are ready to perform.

Sophomore Austin Bainbridge and sophomore Jaxx Long do a pre-game handshake during the Homecoming game against Bloomington North. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

“We can beat them for sure; I mean, their 0-6. We are a way better team than them,” said sophomore fullback Jaxx Long.

Jeff comes into tonight’s match-up 2-4, trying to get back on the path to prepare for a playoff push.

“I think we have a couple games down the stretch that we’re favored in, and we can win. Columbus East will be a tough matchup, but if we do what we’re supposed to we can win that game as well,” said Washington. 

The coaches believe that the team can succeed, but it’s on the players if they want to win.

“It’s only the little things that we aren’t doing right. If the players come together and see the bigger picture and dig a little deeper, then I think the next three games can go in our favor,” said Washington.

Even though the Bulldogs come into the game winless this season, Jeff players know this isn’t a free win.

“We have to play determined and as a team. Even though they’re 0-6, a win is never free. If we all stick together I know we can walk out of there with a win,” said junior linemen Liam Jackson.

The team only has a handful of seniors starting on the roster, so there is some experience left to be desired.

Sophomore Andre Walker during the JHS-Bloomington North game last Friday. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.

“We have a very young roster, and this is the first adversity they have seen. When we went 6-4 last year a lot of these guys didn’t play. I think they just need some ‘want-to’ so we can go out and  win,” said Washington

Everybody on the team has been preparing for this game for a long time, and they’re ready to settle the rivalry for this year.

“The mentality for us is a no-brainer at this point. We know they don’t like us and we don’t like them, so there’s some bad blood, so we have to ride the wave and step up to the plate,” said Washington.

by jhshyphen

JHS celebrates homecoming this past Friday

All photos by Malachi Conrad, Parker McCloskey, Sophia Goforth, and Isaiah Stewart.

The girls’ court and queen candidates posing. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Freshman Quincy Greene and freshman Audrey Cheshire. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Freshman Reno Jones-Turner and freshman K’lynn Ellis. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Sophomore Brody Martin and Aaliyah Flowers. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Sophomore Fred Stone and Lola Rondo. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Junior Jomall Owens and junior Jaelyn Hernandez. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Junior Cordell Thomas and junior Maggie Hylton. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Braxton Abram and senior Magdalene Conrad. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Alan Glidewell and senior Claire Gualtieri. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Tre Martin and senior Katie Meyer. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Ubaldo Pille and senior Emma Pennington. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Magdalene Conrad shows her emotion after being selected as homecoming queen during halftime of Friday’s game against Bloomington North. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Senior Magdalene Conrad getting crowned. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Magdalene Conrad and senior Tre Martin celebrate their crowning at Friday’s Homecoming. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
by jhshyphen

Bloomington North defeats JHS last Friday 36-3

All photos by Malachi Conrad, Parker McCloskey, Sophia Goforth, and Isaiah Stewart.

Senior Tre Martin running with the flag to start the game. Martin was crowned Homecoming king later in the evening. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Sophomore Austin Bainbridge and sophomore Jaxx Long do a pre-game handshake during the Homecoming game against Bloomington North. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Jomall Owens and junior Nation Roe-McBroom taking a moment before the game. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Junior Cordell Thomas throws the football to a wide receiver during the JHS game against Bloomington North on Friday. The Cougars won 36-3. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Freshman Dominique Patterson tackles Bloomington North, leading to a fumble and Jeff’s
possession. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
The Inferno pose up for the camera. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
The Jeff band performs between plays during Friday night’s Homecoming game. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
The Jeff Step team performs during the first quarter of last Friday’s Homecoming game against Bloomington North. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Sophomore Mason Longest lines up before the snap. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Maxwell Schoonover locks in before the game. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Sophomore Andre Walker during the JHS-Bloomington North game last Friday. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.
JHS and Bloomington North go head-to-head on the Bill Ware field last Friday. Photo by Sophia Goforth.
Senior Maxwell Schoonover balances the football before kicking off. Photo by Sophia Goforth.
The Jeff Cheer team performs their second stunt of the night. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Junior Cordell Thomas stands on the field. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
JHS Red Devils during last week’s Homecoming game against Bloomington North. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.
Senior Maxwell Schoonover kicks the ball for a field goal against Bloomington North last Friday night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Cordell Thomas hands the ball to junior Benji Rice, who runs the ball during Friday’s game against Bloomington North. The Cougars won 36-3. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Jomall Owens walks toward his teammates during the JHS-Bloomington North game last week. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Two JHS defensive players tackle one of Bloomington North’s players before getting the ball. Photo by Sophia Goforth.
The defense team lines up at the 10-yard line. Photo by Sophia Goforth.
Jeff’s offense team holds off Bloomington from the ball during last week’s Homecoming game. Photo by Sophia Goforth.
The Jeff Cheer team perform a stunt. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
by jhshyphen

Boys’ soccer prepares for sectional

by Aubrey Cummings

Pushing themselves as hard as they can for the 80 minutes that the match lasts. Heads up and hearts pounding every touch of the ball sends it moving across the field. With a shared goal, getting the ball into the net, the team moves as a unit across the field.

Ranked 36th in the state and 27th in their class, the varsity boys’ soccer team is moving along in their season. 

Currently they are 12-3-1 and are second in the Hoosier Hills Conference for varsity and are 7-5-2 for JV.  As the end of their season begins to approach for both teams they all begin to prepare for sectionals, with a normal goal of wanting to win sectionals and advance to regionals.

Head varsity coach Collin Bell explained, “It’s all about the game that is happening.  One game at a time, one set of 80 minutes. If we push ourselves for those 80 minutes and commit ourselves for those 80 minutes, we will be successful.”

This was shown in their game against Franklin this year. The team had many teams cut from their schedule and many new ones added. They have faced tougher teams than they normally would.  They do this to better themselves and to allow for them to be better prepared for the competition at the end.

“It’s all about the game that is happening.  One game at a time, one set of 80 minutes. If we push ourselves for those 80 minutes and commit ourselves for those 80 minutes, we will be successful.”

Head Coach Collin Bell

“I think it’s a great change because it allows for us to adjust to playing new teams that we haven’t seen before, so it is a good way for us to test ourselves against teams that are considered better teams,“ said junior Alan Solorzano Lopez.

Junior Alan Soloranzo Lopez kicks the ball during the Male High School game. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

The varsity team isn’t the only one beginning to prepare for sectionals.  Six of the JV members have the opportunity to go with the varsity boys to the sectional games.

“Knowing there’s a chance for us to go with the varsity team to sectionals encourages us on JV to push ourselves harder to show we are the best to try and claim our spots,” stated freshman JV member Dominic Cummings.

Doing this allows for younger boys to know what they may have the chance to experience in the near future.  This allows for the program to continue to grow.  The future also depends on some of the varsity boys as well as the JV.

“The pressure feels greater not just because I am a goalie, but also because I am a freshman, so I am representing more than just my varsity team but also my classmates on JV,” said varsity freshman Jafet Benitez-Rubio.

Benitez-Rubio is not just on the varsity team; he is the starter goalie as a freshman.  This is significant every, and everyone knows it.  The student section in games makes sure everyone knows by cheering “He’s a freshman” whenever he stops a ball from going in.

The team’s spirits are high as ever.  The team feels confident and are preparing to have a different outcome than last year where they lost in the final round to Seymour.

The Red Devils play Jennings County next Monday in the opening round of sectionals at Floyd Central High School at 7 p.m.

Senior Shlomo Tshimbalanga guards the ball from his defending New Albany opponent. JHS won 2-0. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

by jhshyphen

New Albany defeats JHS 5-0 last night

Senior Katrina Britt welcomes the fans as her name is called in the starting lineup at last night’s game against New Albany. The Bulldogs won 5-0. The Red Devils play at Center Grove this Saturday. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
The Red Devil soccer team huddles before the game against New Albany last night. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Junior Abi Lemon passes the ball during the JHS game against New Albany. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Junior Scarlett McRae passes the ball. The Red Devils lost 5-0 to New Albany last night. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Junior Layana Cosby receives a pass. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
by jhshyphen

Tennis team heads into sectional play next week

by Mikail Cetiner

The boys’ tennis season is coming to an end, and that only means one thing — sectional is close.

The Jeff tennis team is really excited and nervous because for most of them, this is their first time playing in a sectional.

Senior William Burnette serves for Red Devil tennis. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

According to singles 1 senior William Brunette, “It is very exciting, but also very stressful to play sectionals.”

The tennis team works hard and takes the practice really seriously. “We work on a lot of basic strategies to prepare for sectionals; the main focus is playing with energy and focus and staying present during matches that can often be very intense,” head coach Jerid Inman said.

Even though the practice is hard and intense, many tennis players decide to stay after practice, and one of them is junior Alex Nef.

“I stay after practice to work on my weak points so I can be ready for Sectionals.”  

“We have a lot of new varsity players this year,” coach Inman said, “so we need to practice more intensely so the varsity players can learn how to play under a lot of pressure.”

Sectionals also have a side effect for the J.V players, “Sectionals affect J.V really much because we won’t have any matches since sectionals only is for varsity,” junior J.V player Ian Hoyer said.

According to senior J.V player Micah Cabell, “J.V should be taken more seriously because most of them are the future of the varsity team.”

“Even though we have no matches we will still practice and play against each other for next year,” J.V coach Clint Fackler said.

Sectional begins Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Boys’ tennis heads into sectional next week. Photo by Jackson Anderson.
by jhshyphen

Girls’ soccer defeats Columbus East 4-1

All photos by Malachi Conrad.

The Red Devils celebrate after scoring a goal to tie the game against Columbus East. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Senior Aubrey Cummings strikes the ball at the half-field for her teammates to receive. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Abi Lemon kicks the ball and passes to her open teammate. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Freshman Haylee Alvaregna strikes the ball down the field. JHS went on to beat Columbus East 4-1 Tuesday night, Sept. 23. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Laela Rudicel and junior Abi Lemon jump into each other to celebrate going up 2-1 against Columbus East Tuesday night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Abi Lemon cuts off an Columbus East player and attempts to steal the ball. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Arianna Adams throws the ball infield to her teammate. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Sophomore Samy Carrillo subs in for junior Abi Lemon, and they show each other support. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Layana Cosby watches the ongoing actions and prepares her next move. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Sophomore Hailey Franco Hernandez chases the ball along with a Columbus East defender to attempt a shot on the goal. The Red Devils won 4-1 to improve to 6-1-1 on the season. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen