Playing unfamiliar teams over the holidays is not unusual. Many high school basketball teams play out-of-town schools over the holidays to prepare for the second half of the season and the postseason.

Now that the page has turned to the new year, one Cincinnati team has an unusual opponent this weekend.

Ohio Kentucky boys basketball update A look at the top teams and stories in high school boys basketball entering the new year

Elder’s basketball team is hosting Bishop Verot from Fort Myers, Florida Friday night at 6 p.m. Verot flew to the area on New Year’s Day and played at Conner in Hebron, Kentucky Thursday afternoon.

Elder is hosting Verot because the game pairs two longtime head coaches and their wives. Elder head coach Joe Schoenfeld has 504 career wins after reaching the 500 milestone Dec. 8. Verot’s Matt Herting, in his 29th season, enters the game with 497 career victories and should reach the 500 mark soon back home in Florida.

Herting’s wife, Jill Jansen, is a Cincinnati native who graduated from Seton High School in 1996. She played volleyball for Seton while Schoenfeld’s wife, Coleen, was the junior varsity coach.

Jansen has nieces in the Cincinnati area who play middle-school volleyball in the Catholic school system, and they were able to cheer on Seton as the Saints won the Division I state volleyball championship last fall.

“I miss it so much,” Jansen said. “I loved every minute of playing volleyball for a school that has so much tradition.”

Verot is 9-4 overall this year after losing at Conner, 73-53. On Monday, the Vikings lost by seven, 60-53, to Cardinal Gibbons from Fort Lauderdale, a team that’s ranked 13^th in the state in its division.

Herting is one of the most successful head basketball coaches in southwest Florida history with several deep postseason runs. He started the Southwest Florida Association of Basketball Coaches.

In a 2020 interview in the Fort Myers News-Press, he said: “To me, the sport of basketball, I like it, but I can probably take it or leave it. But the strategy, the competition, the camaraderie, the friendships, the mentoring, that’s the stuff I love. I love the bus trips. I love the locker room after the game. I love the games. It’s not the sport as it is the relationships.”

His wife said he has had that attitude his entire career.

“I’m proud of my husband for his long career at the school,” she said. “It’s not about basketball as it is about the guys. It’s one of my husband’s favorite things to do. I can’t wait to see the competition.”

After playing Conner, the Verot Vikings will spend Thursday night and during the day Friday touring downtown Cincinnati and other local landmarks.

Jansen expects a lot of friends from Seton and Elder, who are sibling schools and neighbors to each other, to attend the game and enjoy each other’s company.

“It’s so much fun for me, seeing the boys get to bond,” Jansen said. “I get to see them have fun and I’m able to show off my hometown. I want them to see that Cincinnati has a lot to offer. We’ll take them downtown and explore the city. The culture at Elder is similar to Bishop Verot with the tradition they both have. I hope everyone has a lot of fun.”

Elder is 5-2, picking up a win against Greater Miami Conference co-leader Fairfield Saturday in the Holiday Hardwood Classic at Xavier’s Cintas Center, 61-54.

Senior guard Cam Williams had 22 points and seven assists in the game and is averaging 14.7 points and 3.8 assists. Alex Dugan posts 14 points per game.

The game should be a good test for the Panthers, who play at Huber Heights Wayne on Sunday, then start Greater Catholic League-South action with defending league champion Moeller at home Jan. 10.

The 2024-25 college football bowl season continues on Thursday, Jan. 2 and goes through Monday, Jan. 20 with the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. It’s the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff. Bowl games begin with the Celebration Bowl and the Salute to Veterans Bowl.

This article will be updated throughout the bowl season, including final scores, TV information and as matchups are announced. Check out the full bowl schedule below.

2024-25 college football bowl game schedule, scores, TV channels, matchup information

(all times ET)

Thursday, Jan. 2

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game (Sugar Bowl)
No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 5 Notre Dame
4 p.m. | ESPN
Caesars Superdome
New Orleans, Louisiana

Gator Bowl
No. 14 Ole Miss vs. Duke
8 p.m. | ESPN
EverBank Stadium
Jacksonville, Florida

Friday, Jan. 3

First Responder Bowl
North Texas vs. Texas State
4 p.m. | ESPN
Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Dallas, Texas

Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech
7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Bank of America Stadium
Charlotte, North Carolina

Saturday, Jan. 4

Bahamas Bowl
Liberty vs. Buffalo
11 a.m. | ESPN2
Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium
Nassau, Bahamas

Thursday, Jan. 9

College Football Playoff Semifinal Game (Orange Bowl)
7:30 p.m. | ESPN
No. 4 Penn State vs. Sugar Bowl winner
Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, Florida

Friday, Jan. 10

College Football Playoff Semifinal Game (Cotton Bowl)
No. 3 Texas vs. No. 6 Ohio State
7:30 p.m. | ESPN
AT&T Stadium
Arlington, Texas

Monday, Jan. 20

College Football Playoff National Championship Game
7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, Georgia

2024-25 college football bowl game results

Saturday, Dec. 14

Celebration Bowl
Jackson State 28, South Carolina State 7
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, Georgia

Salute to Veterans Bowl
South Alabama 30, Western Michigan 23
9 p.m. | ESPN
Cramton Bowl
Montgomery, Alabama

Tuesday, Dec. 17

Frisco Bowl
No. 25 Memphis 42,  West Virginia 37 
9 p.m. | ESPN
Toyota Stadium
Frisco, Texas

Wednesday, Dec. 18

Boca Raton Bowl
James Madison 27, Western Kentucky 17
FAU Stadium
Boca Raton, Florida

LA Bowl
No. 24 UNLV 24, Cal 13
SoFi Stadium
Inglewood, California

Thursday, Dec. 19

New Orleans Bowl
Sam Houston 31, Georgia Southern 26
Caesars Superdome
New Orleans, Louisiana

Friday, Dec. 20

Cure Bowl
Ohio 30, Jacksonville State 27
Camping World Stadium
Orlando, Florida

Gasparilla Bowl
Florida 33, Tulane 8
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida

College Football Playoff First Round Game
No. 5 Notre Dame 27, No. 8 Indiana 17
South Bend, Indiana

Saturday, Dec. 21

College Football Playoff First Round Game
No. 4 Penn State 38, No. 10 SMU 10
University Park, Pennsylvania

College Football Playoff First Round Game
No. 3 Texas 38, No. 16 Clemson 24
Austin, Texas

College Football Playoff First Round Game
No. 6 Ohio State 42, No. 7 Tennessee 17 
Columbus, Ohio

Monday, Dec. 23

Myrtle Beach Bowl
UTSA 44, Coastal Carolina 15
Brooks Stadium
Conway, South Carolina

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Northern Illinois 28, Fresno State 20
Albertsons Stadium
Boise, Idaho

Tuesday, Dec. 24

Hawai’i Bowl
South Florida 41, San Jose State 39 (5OT) 
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex
Honolulu, Hawai’i

Thursday, Dec. 26

GameAbove Sports Bowl
Toledo 48, Pitt 46 (6OT)
Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan

Rate Bowl
Kansas State 44, Rutgers 41
Chase Field
Phoenix, Arizona

68 Ventures Bowl
Arkansas State 38, Bowling Green 31
Hancock Whitney Stadium
Mobile, Alabama

Friday, Dec. 27

Armed Forces Bowl
Navy 21, Oklahoma 20
Amon G. Carter Stadium
Fort Worth, Texas

Birmingham Bowl
Vanderbilt 35, Georgia Tech 27
Protective Stadium
Birmingham, Alabama

Liberty Bowl
Arkansas 39, Texas Tech 26
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
Memphis, Tennessee

Holiday Bowl
No. 21 Syracuse 52, Washington State 35
Snapdragon Stadium
San Diego, CA

Las Vegas Bowl
USC 35, Texas A&M 31
Allegiant Stadium
Las Vegas, Nevada

Saturday, Dec. 28

Fenway Bowl
UConn 27, North Carolina 14
Fenway Park
Boston, Massachusetts

Pinstripe Bowl
Nebraska 20, Boston College 15
Yankee Stadium
Bronx, New York

New Mexico Bowl
TCU 34, Louisiana 3
University Stadium
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Pop-Tarts Bowl
No. 18 Iowa State 42, No. 13 Miami (Fla.) 41
Camping World Stadium
Orlando, Florida

Arizona Bowl
Miami (Ohio) 43, Colorado State 17
Arizona Stadium
Tucson, Arizona

Military Bowl
East Carolina 26, NC State 21
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Annapolis, Maryland

Alamo Bowl
No. 17 BYU 36, No. 23 Colorado 14
Alamodome
San Antonio, Texas

Independence Bowl
No. 22 Army 27, Louisiana Tech 6
Independence Stadium
Shreveport, Louisiana

Monday, Dec. 30

Music City Bowl
No. 19 Missouri 27, Iowa 24
Nissan Stadium
Nashville, Tennessee

Tuesday, Dec. 31

ReliaQuest Bowl
Michigan 19, No. 11 Alabama 11
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida

Sun Bowl
Louisville 35, Washington 34
Sun Bowl
El Paso, Texas

Citrus Bowl
No. 20 Illinois 21, No. 15 South Carolina 17 
Camping World Stadium
Orlando, Florida

Texas Bowl
LSU 44, Baylor 31
NRG Stadium
Houston, Texas

Tuesday, Dec. 31

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game (Fiesta Bowl)
No. 4 Penn State 31, No. 9 Boise State 14
State Farm Stadium
Glendale, Arizona

Wednesday, Jan. 1

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game (Peach Bowl)
No. 3 Texas 39, No. 12 Arizona State 31 (2OT)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, Georgia

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game (Rose Bowl)
No. 6 Ohio State 41, No. 1 Oregon 21
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, California

Here’s a complete list of scores from the College Football Playoff since its first season in 2014:

College Football Playoff: Scores

2014 season

• Rose Bowl: No. 2 Oregon 59, No. 3 Florida State 20
• Sugar Bowl: No. 4 Ohio State 42, No. 1 Alabama 35
• CFP National Championship Game: No. 4 Ohio State 42, No. 2 Oregon 20

2015 season

• Orange Bowl: No. 1 Clemson 37, No. 4 Oklahoma 17
• Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Alabama 38, No. 3 Michigan State 0
• CFP National Championship Game: No. 2 Alabama 45, No. 1 Clemson 40

2016 season

• Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Clemson 31, No. 3 Ohio State 0
• Peach Bowl: No. 1 Alabama 24, No. 4 Washington 7
• CFP National Championship Game: No. 2 Clemson 35, No. 1 Alabama 31

2017 season

• Rose Bowl: No. 3 Georgia 54, No. 2 Oklahoma 48 (2OT)
• Sugar Bowl: No. 4 Alabama 24, No. 1 Clemson 6
• CFP National Championship Game: No. 4 Alabama 26, No. 3 Georgia 23 (OT)

2018 season

• Orange Bowl: No. 1 Alabama 45, No. 4 Oklahoma 34
• Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Clemson 30, No. 3 Notre Dame 3
• CFP National Championship Game: No. 2 Clemson 44, No. 1 Alabama 16

2019 season

• Peach Bowl: No. 1 LSU 63, No. 4 Oklahoma 28
• Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Clemson 29, No. 2 Ohio State 23
• CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 LSU 42, No. 3 Clemson 25

2020 season

• Rose Bowl: No. 1 Alabama 31, No. 4 Notre Dame 14
• Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Ohio State 49, No. 2 Clemson 28
• CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 Alabama 52, No. 3 Ohio State 24

2021 season

• Cotton Bowl: No. 1 Alabama 27, No. 4 Cincinnati 6
• Orange Bowl: No. 3 Georgia 34, No. 2 Michigan 11
• CFP National Championship Game: No. 3 Georgia 33, No. 1 Alabama 18

2022 season

• Peach Bowl: No. 1 Georgia 42, No. 4 Ohio State 41
• Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 TCU 51, No. 2 Michigan 45
• CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 Georgia 65, No. 3 TCU 7

2023 season

• Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan 27, No. 4 Alabama 20
• Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington 37, No. 3 Texas 31
• CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 Michigan 34, No. 2 Washington 13

Here’s a look at some of the upcoming CFP title game locations and dates:

• 2024 season (Jan. 20, 2025): Atlanta, Georgia
• 2025 season (Jan.19, 2026): Miami, Florida

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The vehicle of a Melbourne woman missing since 2014 has been discovered in a retention pond just over a mile from her home, with human remains found inside, authorities confirmed.

Investigators say Katya Belaya was last seen in September 2014. She told her children she was heading to the store but never arrived. 

Belaya drove off in her minivan, which was located on Dec. 20, 2024, by Sunshine State Sonar, following new information provided by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office the day prior.

MORE HEADLINES: 

“We received additional information on that case that was not posted online — cellphone ping data from that evening — and that is ultimately what led us to that particular area where we located that vehicle,” said Mike Sullivan with Sunshine State Sonar.

The remains found inside the van are being analyzed, and DNA test results are pending. Authorities are working to determine how the vehicle ended up in the pond. The investigation remains ongoing.

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