Northern Kentucky University’s BB&T Arena hosted its first high school basketball game Friday night since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.
Some big-time players hit the big stage in a battle of two of the top teams in Kentucky when North Laurel traveled 180 miles from London, Kentucky, to face Covington Catholic.
The atmosphere at BB&T Arena was worth the two-year wait, with a high percentage of the lower level of the arena full, and CovCath’s Colonel Crazies student section tuning up for future games in the arena during the Ninth Region Tournament.
A lot of the fans were there to see Reed Sheppard, North Laurel’s junior phenom guard who recently committed to the University of Kentucky and John Calipari’s Wildcats.
Dozens of fans, mostly children, gathered on the floor to greet Sheppard after the game as he was interviewed by local media.
The atmosphere was a boost for both teams, who appreciated the extra preparation for their regional tournaments.
CovCath (20-4), ranked sixth in the Associated Press state poll, came away with the win, 58-50, over the fifth-ranked Jaguars (20-5).
“It was electric,” CovCath head coach Scott Ruthsatz said. “It was great to have high school basketball back here. To get a chance to come back and a really good team coming in… this is what high school basketball is all about. This setting is fantastic.”
