To people who have been around Northern Kentucky basketball, it is no secret that Newport High School has one of the most storied programs in the area.  A tradition that includes the unforgettable Donna Murphy, Kentucky’s first Ms. Basketball; John Turner, the All State Center, who went on to become a two time All-American at the University of Louisville; the legendary Stan Arnzen who amassed 452 victories, 5 Regional Championships, and 16 NKAC titles; two KHSAA State Championship Game appearances (1935 & 1954); Frog Redmond, Al Howe, Dick Vories, Eugene Britton, Billy Bonner...
The banners that hang in the Stan Arnzen Sports Complex tell the story of 12 regional championships, the last earned in 1962, until last Sunday. This once dominant program had all but forgotten the tradition and pride of the Cats’ Den and Arnzen’s Pregame Circle.  That is until 9 seniors made it their mission to return the program they love to the glory of yesteryear.  For the first time since 1962 the Newport Wildcats Boys’ Basketball team has captured the 9th Region Crown, and fought its way to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s Sweet 16.   
To celebrate the season and send the team off to state, the Newport Independent School District has devised the following itinerary:
 
Presale tickets will be sold at NHS for $8 through Tuesday, March 16th
Student bus seats will be reserved for $7 through Tuesday, March 16th
Community pep rally, Tuesday, March 16th at 5:30 PM in Newport High School’s Stan Arnzen Sports Complex
School pep rally, Wednesday, March 17th at 8:15 AM
Team bus with police escort to Rupp Arena, will drive past all NIS schools Wednesday, March 17th between  9:00 – 9:20AM
1st Round Game, Wednesday, March 17th at 6:30 PM at Rupp Arena
 
Updated Sweet 16 bracket (click here)

The Newport Preschool Center, located in Newport Middle School, has earned Kentucky’s top child care program rating.  Operating in partnership between Newport Independent Schools and Children, Inc., the Newport Preschool Center received a four STAR rating from STARS for KIDS NOW, part of Kentucky’s KIDS NOW Early Childhood Initiative. There are only thirteen 4 STAR programs in Kentucky.
Under Kentucky’s voluntary quality rating system for child care, programs are granted ratings from one to four STARS. The STAR ratings indicate that the program meets quality indicators above those standards required by licensing regulations.  
This program has offered Newport families a full day preschool program since 2005, and is dedicated to getting children ready to succeed in school.  The program operates opposite NIS and Head Start’s half day preschool programs.  Enrollment is open to children ages three, four and five who live in the NIS district or have parents employed by the district. The Newport Preschool is a United Way funded program that complements its first priority of preparing children for kindergarten.

Schools will be in session Friday, March 19th for a regular school day.