article Inside the 9th Region 2/7

With two weeks left in the regular season, the district seeds have been determined and we have a pretty clear idea of who SHOULD represent each district in the region tournament. Here is where each team is ranked as of now:

1. Covington Catholic (22-4)

The Colonels continue to dominate the area as they extended their win streak to 10 games with wins over Scott (82-46) and Beechwood (77-37). Aiden Ruthsatz (23 pts), Cole Vonhandorf (20 pts), and AJ Mayer (18 pts) led a balanced attack in the blowout win over Scott. In the win over Beechwood, Vonhandorf led the way with 22 points, 10 rebounds while Ruthsatz had 20 points, and Casey Nowak had 15. Jake Walter pulled down 10 boards in the win to clinch the #1 seed in the 35th district.

Up Next: 2/9 at Dixie Heights; 2/11 v Dunbar at Thomas More

2. Cooper (19-4)

Cooper extended their win streak to 5 games with convincing wins over Newport (68-53) and St Henry (84-25). Brayden Runion had a career high 26 points, 13 rebounds in the win over Newport, while Blaine Walters had 13 and Sean McNeil finished with 12 points. In the win over St Henry, the trio of Adam Kunkel (19 pts), Sean McNeil (16 pts) , and Chris McNeil (11 pts) led a group of 10 different players to score in the game for Cooper.

Up Next: 2/8 v Newport Central Catholic; 2/10 at Campbell County

3. Dixie Heights (23-3)

The Colonels own the longest win streak in the region at 11 games after picking up wins over Holmes (68-40), Ludlow (64-38), and Lockland, OH (67-40) last week. Reed Bradfield (15 pts), Cam Thornberry (14 pts), and Hunter Meyer (11 pts) all reached double figures in the blowout win over Holmes, while Bradfield had 16 and Meyer had 12 points in the win over Ludlow to clinch the 34th district number 1 seed. Bradfield also led the Colonels with 20 points in the win over Lockland.

Up Next: 2/7 at Holy Cross; 2/9 v Covington Catholic

4. Newport Central Catholic (17-8)

After a slow start, the Breds have now won 10 of their last 11, including wins over Dayton (70-47), Bishop Brossart (65-44), and St Henry (71-40) this past week. Brennan Hall paced four Breds to reach double figures with 15 points in the win over Dayton, while Luke Moeves had 17 points and Trey Wurtz had a double double (14 pts, 12 rbs) in the win over Brossart.

Up Next: 2/8 at Cooper; 2/10 at Holmes; 2/11 v Roger Bacon, OH

5. Lloyd (17-9)

The Juggs clinched the #2 seed in the 34th district with wins over Villa Madonna (85-52) and St Henry (65-40) and ended the week with a 77-67 win over Eminence. Isaiah Voet had 21 pts, 11 rbs in the win over Villa, followed by Devin McClendon with 17 pts, Sterling Hamilton with 15 pts, and Evan Molitor with 10 pts. Hamilton finished with a game high 19 points in the win over St Henry.

Up Next: 2/7 at Walton Verona; 2/10 v Highlands

6. Highlands (12-13)

Kyle Finfrock (18 pts, 12 rbs), Jacob Noe (12 pts), Griffin Huber (10pts), and Braden Posey (10 pts) all reached double figures in a 75-45 win over Villa Madonna. The Birds followed that win with a 57-45 win over Ludlow to close the week.

Up Next: 2/10 at Lloyd

7. Conner (12-11)

The Cougars extended their win streak to 4 games with wins over Scott (63-49) and Holy Cross (63-60). Spencer Hemmerich (23 pts, 11 rbs) and Travin Connley (13 pts) led the way in the win over Scott, while the trio of Connley (20 pts), Tanner Craddock (19 pts), and Hemmerich (15 pts) combined for 44 of Conner's 63 points in the win over Holy Cross.

Up Next: 2/7 v Grant County

8. Newport (13-12)

It was a tough week for the Wildcats as they came away with losses to both Cooper (68-53) and Campbell County (76-53). MeKell Burries had a team high 18 points in the loss to Cooper, followed by Donnie Miller with 11 and Tahj Harding with 10 points. In the loss to Campbell County, Miller had 16, while Harding finished with 11 pts, 10 rbs.

Up Next: 2/7 v Breathitt County; 2/10 at Bracken County

9. Beechwood (12-10)

The Tigers picked up a nice win over Ryle (55-53) behind 12 pts, 16 rbs from Owen Alcorn and 11 points from both Ben Toebbe and Scotty Draud. In the Tigers other game last week, Ben Toebbe scored 20 points in a 77-37 loss to Covcath.

Up Next: 2/7 v St Henry; 2/11 at Holy Cross

10. Holmes (10-14)

The Bulldogs have now lost 4 straight and 7 of 9 after losing to Dixie Heights (68-40) and Clinton County (75-54) last week.

Up Next: 2/7 v Boone County; 2/10 v Newport Central Catholic

11. Boone County (6-18)

The Rebels got their first district win of the season in a 67-60 win over Ryle but couldn't keep the momentum going as they fell to Seneca (66-61) on the road in their other game last week. Raymond Rodgers had a game high 28 points in the win over Ryle, while Ethan Haynes scored 17 points and Ethan Nyman scored 11 points in the loss to Seneca.

Up Next: 2/7 at Holmes; 2/10 v Grant County

12. Ryle (12-14)

The Raiders losing streak is now at 4 games after losses to Beechwood (55-53), Boone County (67-60), and Williamstown (66-62). Vince Rankin led Ryle with 13 points in the loss to Beechwood, while Austin McDaniel had a double double (10 pts, 13 rbs). In the loss to Boone County, Aaron O'Hara scored 14 points, while Braden Cheesman and Josh Puthoff both scored 12 points, each. Cheesman (15 pts), Rankin (13 pts), and O'Hara (12 pts) all reached double figures in the loss to Williamstown.

Up Next: 2/7 v Scott; 2/9 at Holy Cross

13. Holy Cross (5-15)

Nolan Schrand (13 pts) and Ty Houston (11 pts) both scored in double figures in a 56-54 overtime win over Lexington Christian. In their other game of the week, Holy Cross lost their 8th game by 5 points or less as Conner beat them 63-60.

Up Next: 2/7 v Dixie Heights; 2/9 v Ryle; 2/11 v Beechwood

14. St Henry (5-17)

The Crusaders losing streak extended to 4 games and 14 of the past 15 after losses to Cooper (84-25), Lloyd (65-40), and Newcath (71-40).

Up Next: 2/7 at Beechwood; 2/10 v Walton Verona

15. Ludlow (9-14)

The Panthers went 2-2 last week with wins over Bellevue (53-34) and Silver Grove (70-42) and losses to Highlands (57-45) and Dixie Heights (64-38)

Up Next: 2/7 at Silver Grove; 2/9 v Heritage Adademy

16. Villa Madonna (11-12)

The Blue Lightning clinched the Division III conference title with wins over Bellevue (64-50) and Dayton (64-62) but did lose to Highlands (75-45) in their other game last week. Thomas Schutzman had 30 points, 11 rebounds in the win over Bellevue, while Will Martin had 13 pts, 11 rbs. Schutzman and Sean McIntyre both scored 21 points in the win over Dayton.

Up Next: 2/9 at Calvary Christian; 2/11 at Gallatin County

17. Dayton (9-17)

Draven Garcia led Dayton with 13 points in a 70-47 loss to Newcath and 22 points in a 72-43 win over Calvary Christian. In the Devils' other game of the week, Villa Madonna defeated Dayton 64-62.

Up Next: 2/10 at Bellevue; 2/11 at Washington County

18. Bellevue (7-17)

Bellevue went 1-3 last week with losses to Ludlow (53-34), Campbell County (73-49), and Villa Madonna (64-50) with the win coming against Calvary Christian, 65-49. Will Ryan scored 13 to lead the Tigers against Ludlow and 10 against Campbell County. Tommy Ratterman (15 pts) and Brett Maehren (13 pts) also scored double figures against Campbell County.

Up Next: 2/8 at Bishop Brossart; 2/10 v Dayton; 2/11 at Carroll County

Agree? Disagree? Thoughts?

Why the sudden switch of Lloyd and Highlands? Highlands has already defeated Lloyd this year and they play again this Friday. Be interesting to see if Highlands plays Finfrock or keeps him out and gives him a few more days to heal up.

Highlands also beat Ludlow 57-35!

Highlands also beat Ludlow 57-35!

according to KHSAA it was 57-45.

Holmes loses by 28 and 21 and they move up 1 spot from last week? I know Ryle is struggling but I'd still put them ahead of the Bulldogs. Other than that, I think it looks good. Nice job as always Walter.

Great job sir.

Sterling Hamilton also posted 40 points in the victory over Eminence

Why the sudden switch of Lloyd and Highlands? Highlands has already defeated Lloyd this year and they play again this Friday. Be interesting to see if Highlands plays Finfrock or keeps him out and gives him a few more days to heal up.

The Juggs recently played NewCath and Dixie losing by only 3 points and 2 points respectively. Highlands on the other hand lost recently to NewCath by 15, and to Dixie by 19.

The Birds and Juggs go head to head Feb 10th @ Lloyd where we can find out for sure.

The game of which you speak where Highlands beat the Juggs by 5 took place Dec. 22 at the Simon Kenton Invitational.

The Juggs recently played NewCath and Dixie losing by only 3 points and 2 points respectively. Highlands on the other hand lost recently to NewCath by 15, and to Dixie by 19.

 

The Birds and Juggs go head to head Feb 10th @ Lloyd where we can find out for sure.

 

The game of which you speak where Highlands beat the Juggs by 5 took place Dec. 22 at the Simon Kenton Invitational.

I do realize that, but a win is a win is it not? I believe at that time there was talk of Lloyd being perhaps as high as number 4 in NKY. Honestly does not matter in the grand scheme of things as the only game that really matters to Highlands is the Newport game which will determine if they get a chance to play at BBT Arena which would be a nice step forward for the program.

Why teams are where they are this week and my thought process:

Highlands-Lloyd...can't go wrong with either team at 5 but I chose Lloyd because they seem to be playing better as of late and December 22nd was over a month ago. Using that argument, should I rank Holmes ahead of Highlands since they beat them head to head at the beginning of December? No way you can continue to use that game to judge which team is better right now. Luckily for us, the debate of Lloyd/Highlands will end in a few days.

Conner-Newport have both been pretty consistent, for the most part, which is why they fell at 7-8.

Ryle lost to Boone and Beechwood...I don't think anyone can make an argument for them as a top 10 team right now. Maybe ahead of Holmes, but Holmes didn't have Hollis when Ryle beat them.

Holmes moved to #10 by default but Boone could be there next week if they beat Holmes tonight. Tough to truly gauge where Holmes should be ranked since they have had their opening night starting 5/rotation for maybe 7 or 8 games this season.

The top 10 next week will likely be different again after the top 4 for the simple fact that 5 through 12 can all beat one another any given night, which has been proven every week.

This is Walter's home court. Respect!

Walter I very rarely comment on b ball because it just isn't my sport and I only follow at tourney time but I think it's cool that you do this every week, every year. Thank you.

Is Dixie closer to CovCath and Cooper or are they closer to the rest of NKY?

Is Dixie closer to CovCath and Cooper or are they closer to the rest of NKY?

Will be answered tonight at Dixie around 9:00 PM.