Sports

Beyond the title

Team captains practice positive leadership and encouragement

by Layney Derricott

When the game begins, captains are expected to be leaders. The ones who motivate and guide. But what happens behind the scenes? Every high school team captain is also a student balancing expectations along with responsibilities.

Being a captain is more than just the title; it’s about showing up and really showing how important leadership is.

Senior Mattie Barker, captain of the girls’ volleyball team, finds leadership fundamental.

“Leadership, to me, is something I find very important. I think of leadership as being the person on the team that everyone can trust and come to, either on the court or off. I think being the person on the court everyone looks to and comes to when they need encouragement is a very important quality,” said Barker.

Senior Mattie Barker celebrates the Jeffersonville point against Rock Creek. Barker said she encourages her volleyball teammates as a captain. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

Junior Cooper Spaulding, one of the football captains, said discipline is the key to guiding teammates, while being trusted and an encourager.

Spaulding also said keeping up a good front, checking on everyone, and being aware of their experiences, in addition to “keeping everyone in check separately, having to worry about how people will act to each other, while making sure they treat you with respect,” are key aspects of being a team captain.

Actions depend on the captain’s guidance to make sure every team member has their best demeanor. According to senior Abi Lemon, girls’ soccer captain, respect is something that’s earned.

“Being respected matters more than being liked. If you are respected, you’re liked. Respect is better to hold more authority,” said Lemon.

In addition, having the ability to be on everyone’s good side as well as holding strong authority is important, said senior football captain Jomall Owens, Jr.

“Making sure to keep a good look out, and take care of everyone. Also while being kind and keeping up my promise to practice what I preach,” he said.

While being a leader means looking out and supporting others, it also means staying positive and adjusting to challenging situations in specific situation, said senior soccer captain Alex Lopez.

“The Eastern game changed my look on leadership. We were down in the game, (graduate) Elijah Cheeks pulled me aside and told me take a new approach to leading my team. Be more positive along with calmer when speaking to them,” he stated.

Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez looks at Coach Colin Bell right before the first half of the Red Devils’ game against Franklin. The Red Devils won 6-0. Lopez said being calm is important as a leader. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

Supporting the team’s mindsets and rebuilding confidence while encouraging helps keep players focused and proud, said Barker.

“When I notice that one of my teammates has lost confidence, I like to start by saying uplifting comments to them while playing. Like ‘Hey, great dig’ or ‘Way to find the hole in the block,’ so they keep focusing on the good things they are doing. I also will tell them to take a second and regroup, keeping up a ‘goldfish’ mindset.”

Ultimately, a captain may wear the title, but true leadership is shown through actions. Leadership isn’t defined by the title or scoreboard — it’s defined by how JHS athletes support their teammates and respond to challenges.

10 Sep 2026 by jhshyphen

Red Devils defeat Seymour on Friday for first win of the season

JHS (1-1) hosts Bedford North Lawrence this Friday

All photos by Parker McCloskey and Isaiah Stewart.

Sophomore Devaughn Walker steps off the field after a defensive stop against Seymour Friday night. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.

31 Aug 202631 Aug 2026 by jhshyphen

JHS defeats Jennings County 8-3 last night

All photos by Malachi Conrad and Isaiah Stewart.

Sophomore Haylee Alvaregna waves to the crowd as she is announced as a starter before yesterday’s game. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

26 Aug 2026 by jhshyphen

Louisville Eastern defeats Red Devils 3-2 last night

All photos by Parker McCloskey.

Junior Ariel Andres-Sandoval balances a ball on his head during warmups against Eastern last night. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

26 Aug 2026 by jhshyphen

Boys’ soccer aims for another sectional title

by Carter Glotzbach

After finishing last season with 15 wins, the boys’ soccer team expects to come back stronger this year with hopes for another sectional championship to maintain their streak.

The team has strong chemistry, with hints of it potentially edging out last year’s bond. According to players and coaches, this will be a strong suit of the team and will be put to the test throughout the season.

“Our team looks very strong and my hope is to win back to back at sectionals,” said sophomore striker Joao Beya.

The 2026-27 varsity sophomore Red Devils pose for the camera during the soccer Media Day. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

Other players agreed, saying that the team is cohesive this year.

“Our team has a great bond this year, and I’m looking forward to the season. I definitely enjoyed last year’s season, but summer training has left me excited for what is ahead this year,” said junior Kevyn Santiago.

“I’m very impressed with the bond our team made over the summer,” agreed junior Javier Santiago-Cortez. “We all played well with each other, and I think I enjoyed it more than last year.”

Senior Xavier Santiago-Cortez sits while senior Oscar Arredondo uses his cleat to mimic giving a haircut during the soccer Media Day. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

Coaches have also noticed the new team’s connection and acknowledge former players.

“I’m well impressed with the team’s bond; it has been an almost seamless transition, even with our lost seniors,” said head coach Colin Bell.

To prepare for the new season the team put in hours and hard work with early practices and conditioning sessions throughout the summer.

“We put in a lot of good work and looked good on the field, but what I think puts us ahead of our opponents is the work we put in off the field as well,” said Santiago.

More players shared Santiago’s sentiment.

“I put in a lot of hours on the field; I also had many hours off the field, and I know other players did too,” said Beya.

Santiago-Cortez added that while practice was important, some teammates also practiced with each other outside of practice as well.

“We were definitely well conditioned during the off-season. I felt in much better shape after the first month of practice,” said Santiago-Cortez.

The team’s hard work was led by the coaches, who praised the effort they’ve seen so far.

“Our summer training was very beneficial for us. We learned a lot about each player’s capabilities and their commitment to the team when we had them waking up early for practice,” said Bell.

All this hard work has the team wondering where they will place this year at sectionals and potentially even regionals. They wonder not only how far they can make it, but also which teams will pose the greatest challenge on their way there.

New Albany presents the biggest challenge, but the team looks forward to this dynamic this season.

“I think that our biggest competition is definitely New Albany. I think they were our hardest fought win last year, and I’m excited to match up with them again,” said Santiago.

However, another sectional win is the goal for the Red Devils.

“Honestly, I think that we are the best in our sectionals, but if I had to pick a team that I think would give us the best competition, I think it would be New Albany,” said Santiago-Cortez.

Bell said Southern Indiana will feature competitive soccer teams this season.

“I think that competition is pretty equal across the sectional tournament. I think that the team that’s considered the best has an equal chance when compared to the team that’s the worst, but also I think that if we show up and play our best we have the best chance of winning the tournament,” he said.

After hearing about the team’s chemistry, hard work, and competition one might wonder about where they would place in regionals.

“I think a season success would be to win sectionals, but also moving onto regionals and making it further than last year is the ultimate goal,” said Santiago-Cortez.

The 2026-27 varsity senior boys’ Red Devils pose for the camera. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

Other players agree with his sentiment. “I would be very happy to win back to back at sectionals, and continuing on to regionals would be great,” said Beya.

However, the coaching staff is looking at the bigger picture of potentially advancing in the regional tournament.

“Obviously, the goal is a sectional win, but I think a performance in regionals that is better than last year’s would satisfy my expectations,” said Bell.

14 Aug 2026 by jhshyphen

Kentucky fans react to new football coach

by Sophia Waldridge

After 13 seasons Mark Stoops brought historic stability to Kentucky and led four 10-win campaigns in 2018 and 2021. He also showed the team eight consecutive bowl games and two top-25 finishes. But after too many losing streaks and a 41-0 loss to Louisville on Dec. 1, Kentucky fired him. Will Stein is the new Kentucky coach.

Many Louisville fans are happy because they want real change and challenge. Senior Kaeleb Hayes, who is a die hard Louisville fan, said that Kentucky “needed to do it” and that the team would be “better off without Stoops and the team will get along so much better with the leadership and the stability of Stein.”

But others do not agree with Hayes and think that Stoops should not have been fired. Sophomore Eli Tate, “I think that we will have better prospects but at the same time he was a good coach and I don’t think that this one game should have caused him to be fired.”

Sophomore Cali Smith agreed with Tate and is also a Kentucky fan; she said that the team will have to come up with new critical thinking skills and “learn to adapt with a new coach with different teaching styles.”

Freshman Harper Gordon also said that the Wildcats will have to adapt and thinks that it was a good thing because “Stoops has been a bad coach for three years and gave us a horrible season.” She said the new coach Stein is better for the team because he will push them harder.

Kentucky fans aren’t too happy, but most of them are rallying for the new coach and can’t wait to see how he trains the team differently and if they’ll get any better under different and new leadership.

18 Dec 2025 by jhshyphen

Column: Transfer portal has turned college sports into free agency

by Jaxon Sturgeon

College sports used to be about development, watching players grow through the program, build chemistry with teammates, and represent their school with pride. Now, with the rise of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, that’s starting to change. What once felt like a unique part of college athletics is starting to look a lot more like professional free agency.

The transfer portal was originally meant to give athletes more freedom. Before it existed, players who wanted to transfer often had to sit out a year or go through a messy process. The new system made it easier and fairer for athletes to move if they weren’t happy. But when NIL money entered the picture, things took a sharp turn. Now, the best players aren’t transferring for playing time; instead, they’re transferring for the biggest paycheck.

Top programs can now essentially “buy” players by offering them huge NIL deals. Big schools with massive fan bases and booster support have the money to make these offers. Small programs, on the other hand, can’t compete financially. A player might spend two years developing at a smaller school, then leave for a powerhouse program that can offer more exposure and a better NIL deal. It’s frustrating for coaches who invest time into developing talent, only to lose that talent once the player becomes valuable.

Because of this, college recruiting has started to feel more like pro free agency. Coaches aren’t just trying to recruit high school players anymore; they’re constantly re-recruiting their own athletes, hoping they won’t jump ship. Players, too, are learning to treat college as a business, weighing offers and sponsorships like professional athletes. While that might sound fair on the surface, after all, they deserve to profit from their talent, it also strips away some of what made college sports special: loyalty, team growth, and long term development.

In the end, the combination of the transfer portal and NIL has made college sports more about money than development. While it’s great that athletes finally have more control over their careers, it’s hard not to feel like the spirit of college athletics is being lost along the way.

If things keep heading in this direction, it’s going to start feeling less like college sports and more like the pros.

10 Nov 202511 Nov 2025 by jhshyphen

Scrimmage helps Red Devils prepare for their season

All photos by Isaiah Stewart.

The Red Devils walk out of the locker room at the beginning of the scrimmage game last Friday, August 15. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.

19 Aug 2025 by jhshyphen

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.

25 Nov 2024 by jhshyphen

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.

4 Oct 20244 Oct 2024 by jhshyphen

Football team builds up for a year of redemption, prepares to face rival New Albany Saturday morning

by Ifrah Daber

Recent JHS football teams haven’t been known for their wins, especially with their 0-10 record in 2023. Since the beginning of the school year, however, many JHS football fans have noticed the team’s growth. As of Sept. 28, the varsity Red Devils are 4-2, with wins against Seymour, Bedford North Lawrence, Louisville Fern Creek, and Silver Creek.

The JHS varsity team practices drills. Players were separated into offense and defense. The Red Devils will play New Albany this Saturday at 11 a.m. Photo by Ifrah Daber.

This new school year is a chance for redemption for the Red Devils, and they have taken this challenge with pride.

First-year head coach Joe Washington leads these players and has shaped them for the season. He spoke about discipline and the importance of focus, along with prioritizing the fundamentals, when discussing the team’s success this year.

“Our biggest strength is our defense, and our biggest weakness is likely that we are new on offense,” Washington stated. He elaborated that the team was newer to some offensive plays and going by the book.

“It’s a rival and all records go out the window. It’s us versus us this week.” Washington stated about how he and the team viewed the upcoming game against New Albany.

Despite the challenge of learning and perfecting an offense with his team, Washington still shows confidence. He stated that the players are excited and have been playing well. The positive sentiment is not just believed by the coach, but also by many of the teammates.

One example is senior running back Dayzir Hughes, who has just begun his third year on the team. Hughes attributed the coaching staff’s dedication to the sport to the team’s improvement.

“They put heart into it; the coaches take the time,” Hughes stated.

Senior Glorie Tshimanga, a main tackle on the team for the last three years, described the biggest team weakness as their running game but also said the Red Devils have greatly improved in areas of defense.

He, too, credited the team’s improvement to the coaching of Washington and their other coaches, along with the team’s strong improvement in defense.

“All about a winning mindset, and showing that the team is capable,” stated sophomore Bryce Treat, an offensive guard who recently joined the team.

Despite Treat being newer to the team, he has great trust in his teammates.

Even some student managers chose to speak up about their faith in the team, including freshman Kendall Washington. Coach Washington’s daughter and football team manager stated that the team’s biggest strength is their camaraderie and brotherhood.

She stated that team discipline and a professional approach are the keys to the team’s success. She said that the Red Devils will do well if they keep it together and do not fall back into bad habits.

The team wants to take this year as a new start for JHS football. The words of the team and the coach show that they are focused and ready for more wins down the road.

“Jeff is back and better,” Treat stated, letting students know to look forward to the coming season.

JHS faces local rival New Albany (3-3) in a rare morning home game this Saturday at 11 a.m.

The JHS varsity team practices drills. Players were separated into offense and defense. The Red Devils take a 4-2 record into this weekend’s game against the New Albany Bulldogs (3-3). Photo by Ifrah Daber.

4 Oct 202423 Oct 2024 by jhshyphen

New x Two: Jeff High Basketball Rebounds With New Boys and Girls Basketball Coaches

Coach Melissa Voyles – Girls Basketball

Coach Melissa (Missy) Voyles took the head coaching job at Jeff High because it presented a great opportunity and a great challenge. Prior to coaching at Jeff, Voyles had coached at North Harrison. However, she wanted the chance to coach at a division 4A (the high school sports division for the largest schools) school like Jeff. She also saw the girls basketball team as a program with potential. “It’s always a program that could really be dominant,” she says.

Despite her optimism, there was a clear challenge for the Red Devils this year: injuries. Voyles said this season they had five ACL tears, one broken wrist, and two concussions. “I have never seen this many injuries,” she says. Despite these challenges she has been pleased with the level of dedication her players have shown, saying, “They play hard every day. I can’t fault them for that.” With this dedication has come improvement, according to Voyles.

Going into the season in a tough conference, and after losing a lot of senior talent last year, Voyles says, “I knew it would be a big struggle win-or-loss wise.” However, she credits her team’s leadership and hard work with their success this year, specifically, she credited Neveah Bates (junior), Baily Gibson (senior), Ajia Estes (senior), Tatum McFarland (sophomore), and Sofia Reese (sophomore) with creating a contagious positive atmosphere on the team.

For the postseason, the goal was simple for Voyles. “I want to compete with Bedford.” On Feb. 5, 2021, Jeffersonville fell to Bedford North Lawrence 62-36 in the Sectional Semi-final. Despite their season coming to an end, the Devils were able to keep the game within 10 points with the fourth-ranked Stars, until the fourth quarter.

Coach Andrew Grantz – Boys Basketball

Coach Andrew Grantz says he took the boys basketball job at Jeff High for many reasons, including “the history, the tradition, and the fan support here at Jeff.” Grantz also wanted to return to coaching in Indiana, and with the talent at Jeff High, he was excited at the opportunity to build the program.

For Grantz, the biggest difference between this job and his past coaching gigs is the community. “You know, Providence was a great place to be,” he says, “but you know with a private school, you’re pulling from all different directions.” He feels that the closeness in the Jeff High community really sets the program apart, and unlike Fort Myers, Florida (where he was for a past coaching job), basketball is a bigger deal here in Indiana.

For Grantz, his pride in his team was on display after the first semester when he learned the team had a GPA of 3.4 (highest in program history according to Grantz). For him this accomplishment was important as a coach because “they’re setting themselves up for life after basketball,” he says.

Leading up to the season, with all the confusion about COVID-19, he says the goal was simple: “Let’s just play games.” He also felt that despite the loss of a talented senior class last year, the team would be strong.

Despite his optimism, he does feel one of the major challenges was Jeff’s lack of a consistent feeder program. “Whenever I was younger there was the JYBL (Jeff Youth Basketball League), and if you look at the run Jeff had in the ’90s, that happened right after JYBL started,” Grantz says. He hopes to be able to tackle this problem, which he believes will really help the program as it has before.

Looking toward the end of the season, his goal for his team is simple: “We want to reach our full potential… if we do that or come close to that we have a chance to make a run in the postseason.” Over the season, he says the team has “had flashes of it.” But to reach his goal it’s about “putting it all together at once.”

By Max Fisher

19 Mar 202119 Mar 2021 by Max_Fisher