Kentucky

Crimson Tide Takes Down Kentucky, Again

Published

12 months ago

March 15, 2025

The 5th-ranked and 3rd-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide destroyed the Kentucky Wildcats 99-70 in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament on Friday night. The win gave the Tide a 3-0 record against UK this year, the first time Bama has ever beaten the Wildcats three times in a season. The only other teams to have matched this feat are Florida and Tennessee. Alabama improved to 25-7 and Kentucky fell to 22-11. The Tide will play Florida at approximately 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday. The game will follow top-seeded Auburn playing 4th-seeded Tennessee at noon CT.

Coach Nate Oats stayed with the starting lineup of Mark Sears, Labaron Philon, Chris Youngblood, Grant Nelson, and Clifford Omoruyi. The Tide started off strong, grabbing an early lead, and never letting it go. The story of the half was Philon, and the Tide’s defense. Bama was able to forge ahead despite missing all of their nine three point attempts. Philon was a magician in the paint, exploding past defenders and scoring all sorts of ways at the rim.

Jarin Stevenson finally made a three pointer for the Tide with around six minutes left in the half. Nelson made the team’s second from distance with 4:46 left for a 36-30 lead. The Tide led 47-38 going into the locker room at halftime, but only 45-38 once play resumed. Multiple times this season Bama has had baskets that were awarded on goaltending calls taken away, and actually happened in both halves in this game.

In the first half the Tide shot 16-37 for 43% with only 2-13 from three point range. Alabama made 11-13 free throws for 85%, grabbed 20 rebounds, had seven steals, one block, six assists, and four turnovers. Philon led the way with 10 points, three assists, one block, and three steals. Nelson and Omoruyi both scored seven. and Sears, Mo Dioubate, and Stevenson added a half a dozen each.

‘The Wildcats shot 12-31 for 39% in the first half with 3-9 from behind the arc UK had 20 rebounds, two blocks, one steal, six assists, and eight turnovers. Amari Williams and Travis Perry scored 11 and 10 points respectively to lead the Kentucky scoring.

The Tide used the same lineup to begin the 2nd half. Youngblood and Philon hit early three pointers to push the lead out to 52-42 with 17:51 left. Philon was all over the court, continuing his outstanding start. Dioubate pushed the lead out to 13 when he drained a long three pointer with 16:20 remaining for a 57-44 lead. Stevenson and Aden Holloway took the torch and ran with it over a several minute period. Dioubate, Youngblood, and Sears joined into the three point brigade, and the Tide was on cruise control.

Sears scored nine straight points for 83-60 lead with 7:35 left. After the timeout one of Sears’ baskets was taken away on another reversed goaltending call. Stevenson and Philon took over and with the help of Holloway, were never threatened the rest of the day. Holloway made two late free throws to reach 99 points, but the Tide couldn’t reach the century mark.

In the second half the Tide blistered the nets, shooting 20-34 for 59% and 9-16 for 56% from deep. Bama also made 5-8 free throws in the half. Overall Alabama finished 36-71 for 51%, 11-29 for 38% from behind the arc, and made 16-21 free throws with 17 assists, four blocks, 11 steals, and turned it over 10 times. Philon scored 21 points, had four assists, three rebounds, one block, and three steals. Stevenson seems to come alive in the postseason and scored 16 on 6-8 shooting with 3-5 from behind the arc and added four rebounds, an assist, a block, and three steals. Holloway had 13 with four assists, Sears added 13 of his own with four assists, and Dioubate scored 13 with eight rebounds, two blocks, and steal.
Kentucky was held to 9-25 shooting in the second half by the suddenly resurgent Alabama defense.

The Cats hit 2-10 from deep and just 12-21 at the charity stripe in the period. Overall UK was 21-56 for 38%, 5-19 from three point range, and 22-35 on freebies. The Wildcats turned it over 16 times, dished 12 assists, blocked three shots, and had six steals. Andrew Carr led the team with 18 points, followed by Williams with 16 points and seven rebounds.
After the game Oats said ““we have some tough minded kids, we wanted to press them (Kentucky) and we were able to score 29 points off of 16 turnovers.” This was the worst loss in the SEC Tournament In Kentucky’s illustrious history. Oats continues to take Alabama basketball to places it has never been.

Next up a battle with the team that is playing better than anyone in the country right now, the Florida Gators. The Tide seems poised to be able to handle the rematch of several days ago, and would love to make up for the loss UF handed them at Coleman Coliseum.

Tip is at 2:30 CT. Roll Tide

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Kentucky

Woman dies in head-on collision in Bullitt County

Published

10 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Woman dies in head-on collision in Bullitt County

Kentucky State Police is investigating after a Shepherdsville woman died Feb. 28 in a two-vehicle crash in Bullitt County.

A preliminary investigation shows the crash, which occurred at 7:34 p.m. at the intersection of KY 44 East and Watergate Drive, began when the passenger-side tires of a Toyota Tacoma heading westbound on KY 44 East dropped off the right side of the roadway and onto a steep shoulder, Master Trooper Bryan Washer said in a statement March 1.

The teenage driver “overcorrected, causing the vehicle to cross the centerline into the eastbound lane and into the path of a Ford Escape.”

Due to a head-on collision, the Ford Escape went down a small embankment and overturned on its roof before coming to rest, Washer said. The driver of the Ford Escape, Sarah Weisman, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Bullitt County Coroner’s Office. The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was not injured from the crash.

Trooper Scott Wheatley and Detective Brad Holloman of the State Police conducted the initial investigation into the crash, Washer said. Holloman continues to investigate.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@usatodayco.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter

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Kentucky

Three NKY girls wrestlers win titles, including a third for Emma Moore

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Three NKY girls wrestlers win titles, including a third for Emma Moore

LEXINGTON, KY – The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has sponsored a girls state tournament for three seasons.

That’s three seasons of wrestling over the dirt at Alltech Arena at Kentucky Horse Park

That’s three seasons of the girls having their own day to crown winners and placers.

And three seasons of Emma Moore climbing up the podium, taking her place as a Kentucky state champion.

Moore, a Walton-Verona senior who said she picked up the sport once the KHSAA started sanctioning, has gone 12-0 in her three trips to state with eight pins and a tech fall on the record.

“I feel great,” Moore said of ending her preps career on top again. “I feel like I made a lot of growth season and I’m really proud of what I was able to accomplish.”

Moore won the all-Northern Kentucky state final at 107 pounds, besting Ryle eighth grader Peyton Brinkman, 13-5. Moore beat Brinkman with a 17-1 tech fall in the regional championship, but had to battle with Brinkman for three complete periods in the state final.

“I felt like she was better at stopping my attacks today,” Moore said. “But, I just make sure to get to my offense and wrestle like myself.”

Brinkman was one of three Brinkmans to place at the state tournament. While younger sister finished as runner-up, older twin brothers and Ryle sophomores Aiden and Bryant placed second and fifth respectively.

Moore’s championship was the 14th in Walton-Verona history. Of those 14, three came from Emma, two came from brother Spencer and two more came from brother Ryan.

Highlands junior Emma Hood grinds out 152-pound championship

Emma Hood had a 3-0 lead in the 152-pound KHSAA state final and just around a minute needed to hold on to win her first championship.

When opponent Bralyn Maynard of Prestonsburg tried to get out of Hood’s grasp, she bent Hood’s leg sideways at the knee, causing Hood to immediately react to the injury. Hood’s injury time ticked away before she hopped up, ready to continue on.

With the knee barking, Maynard scored a quick reversal and cut Hood’s lead to 3-2. For 44 seconds, Hood had Maynard wrestling on top, but unable to score any more points.

“That last minute was just pure fight or flight,” Hood said. “After the knee, adrenaline kinda kicks in and I really couldn’t feel it at all for the last minute of the match.

“She gets the reversal with about 46 seconds left. The whole time I’m replaying how it felt last year to lose to her and making sure that didn’t happen again.”

Hood was a runner-up last year, losing to Maynard by a pin in the match’s final seconds. The championship was the fourth state placement for Hood, who also placed fifth in 2024 and eighth in the Kentucky Wrestling Coaches Association girls tournament in 2023 that ran before KHSAA sanctioned a tournament.

With the win, Hood became the first wrestler in Highlands history ‒ boy or girl ‒ to win a KHSAA wrestling championship.

Cooper freshman Aaliyah Svec finishes off undefeated season

Aaliyah Svec’s freshman season is one that will hard to improve on, but she’s up for the challenge.

Svec’s first season as a high schooler saw her go 19-0 for the year, claiming Kentucky’s 138-pound state championship. She didn’t even wrestle a full-length match in the postseason, going 8-0 across the regional and state tournaments with six pins and a pair of tech falls.

One of those pins came in the 138-pound final as Svec pinned North Hardin’s Payton Perry in the third period while Svec was already sitting with an 8-2 lead.

“It’s absolutely wild,” Svec said. “I never thought I would be here. I’ve grown up doing this sport and I’m just so, so grateful for these opportunities.”

Like Hood, Svec’s championship was also historic for Cooper as she also became the first wrestling state champion ‒boy or girl ‒ in the program’s history.

Northern Kentucky girls wrestling state placers

107 – 1. Emma Moore (Walton-Verona), 2. Peyton Brinkman (Ryle); 114 – 6. Leah Boggs (Campbell County); 138 – 1. Aaliyah Svec (Cooper), 6. Preslee Steiber (Ryle); 152 – 1. Emma Hood (Highlands), 7. Devon Banks, Simon Kenton; 165 – 5. McAyla Steffen (Campbell County); 235 – 6. Fanta Mariko, Cooper.

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Kentucky

Which Northern Kentucky boys basketball teams can win regional titles?

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Which Northern Kentucky boys basketball teams can win regional titles?

The best week of the boys Kentucky high school basketball season is here, as the regional tournaments begin.

Three boys basketball tournaments with Northern Kentucky teams begin next week as they try to punch their ticket to Rupp Arena. They are all in their traditional homes: The Eighth Region takes place at Henry County, the Ninth Region at Truist Arena and the 10th Region at the Mason County Fieldhouse. Here is a look at those brackets.

Eighth Region (at Henry County)

Wednesday, March 4: Henry County (19-11) vs. South Oldham (20-8), 6:30 p.m.; Simon Kenton (16-10) vs. Spencer County (19-13), 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 5: Walton-Verona (17-15) vs. North Oldham (22-5), 6:30 p.m.; Woodford County (17-7) vs. Gallatin County (11-20), 8 p.m.

Monday, March 9: Semifinals – March 4 winners, 6:30 p.m.; March 5 winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: Simon Kenton edged Walton-Verona 56-51 for the 32nd District championship. Bray Bilton was the tournament MVP. SK did not play Spencer County this year, and lost to South Oldham in its half of the draw by 20. North Oldham and Woodford County are considered the two favorites, and are both 8-0 in the region as they have not played each other. WV lost to North Oldham by 20 on Feb. 6.

Ninth Region (at NKU’s Truist Arena)

Saturday, March 7: Highlands (25-5) vs. Conner (14-12), 1 p.m.; Covington Catholic (28-2) vs. Dixie Heights (18-12), 2:30 p.m.; Lloyd Memorial (22-4) vs. Holy Cross (21-9), 6:30 p.m.; Ryle (21-8) vs. Newport (21-9), 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 8: Semifinals – Highlands/Conner vs. CovCath/Dixie winners, 6:30 p.m.; Lloyd/Holy Cross vs. Ryle/Newport winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: CovCath is the overwhelming favorite. Its only losses are to other top Kentucky teams Male and Madison Central. CovCath has not played Lloyd or Newport but has beaten the other five teams in the field by an average of 27 points. The Colonels’ closest win against Ninth Region competition is by 18 (72-54) against its first opponent, Dixie Heights.

Conner beat Highlands 72-58 on Feb. 10. Ryle beat Conner by 12 in the 33rd District final for its first district title since 2014. Ryle beat Newport 45-30 on Dec. 17 but Newport has won seven of nine heading into the regional.

Lloyd is the hottest team in the region besides CovCath, winning 12 straight including a 21-point victory over Dixie in the 34th District final. Lloyd beat Holy Cross by 10, 63-53, on Jan. 6. Lloyd and Newport did not play each other this season, and time will tell if either can challenge CovCath if they get that chance. But barring injuries, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than the Colonels going to Rupp.

10th Region (at Mason County Fieldhouse)

Wednesday, March 4: Scott (15-14) vs. Mason County (7-19), 6 p.m.; Pendleton County (17-12) vs. George Rogers Clark (26-4), 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 5: Montgomery County (17-12) vs. Bracken County (14-15), 6 p.m.; Campbell County (21-9) vs. Nicholas County (20-12), 8 p.m.

Monday, March 9: Semifinals – March 4 winners, 6 p.m.; March 5 winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: George Rogers Clark is the heavy favorite here. Scott beat the host Royals 64-59 Dec. 18 in Taylor Mill. The hosts have struggled all year but won the 39th District. Scott survived a wild finish in the 37th District semifinals, with Jordan Clemons hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer after a steal to give the Eagles a win over Brossart. Freshman Benjamin Brown has averaged 23 points per game in half a season. Pendleton County won the 38th District behind junior Kamden O’Hara, one of Northern Kentucky’s best shooters (15.4 ppg., 100 3-pointers). They drew the short straw after tourney favorite GRC lost the 40th District final to Montgomery County, 73-66. Campbell County has won four straight, including two dominant wins in the 37th District tournament. The streak started with a 90-89 win over its first-round regional opponent Nicholas County Feb. 13. Sophomore standout Austin Davie put up 50 points against Nicholas. Campbell lost by 12 to potential semifinal opponent Montgomery County Jan. 23.

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