article BluegrassPreps.com 9th Region Rankings 12/18/17

Game of the Week: Covington Catholic vs. Cincinnati Moeller: Coming in Moeller was ranked No. 1 in Cincinnati (also ranked in the top 25 in nation) and Covington Catholic was ranked No. 1 in Northern Kentucky. This one was sold out almost two days in advance and many D1 coaches attended this showdown. Covington Catholic posted a 58-53 victory. Covington Catholic was led by C.J. Fredrick (23 points), Aiden Ruthsatz (15 points) and Jake Walter (10 points). Many observers believe this was one of the best atmospheres for an area high school basketball game in years.

 

Best holiday tournament games coming up:
King of the Bluegrass(Fairdale): Covington Catholic and Cooper

 

Swauger Holiday Classic- Ryle, Bellevue, Newport and Ludlow

 

Simon Kenton Invitational Tournament- Conner, Dixie Heights and Holy Cross

 

 

Freshman success: Both players lead their team in scoring

 

Wyatt Vieth – St. Henry (10.4 ppg)

 

Scott Draud ( 21.0 ppg) (Beechwood)

 

Surprise players not listen in Top 10:

 

Parker Zimmerman (17.3 ppg.) (Holy Cross)

 

Vince Rankin (20.2 ppg. 10.0 rpg.) (Ryle)

 

 

Prediction for 9th Region Tournament :

 

33rd District: Cooper (Winner), Boone County (Runner Up)

 

34th District: Dixie Heights ( Winner), St. Henry (Runner Up)

 

35th District: Covington Catholic (Winner), Holmes (Runner Up)

 

36th District: Newport Central Catholic (Winner), Newport (Runner Up)


 

Biggest Win: Boone County beating Newport Central Catholic (74-66)

 

Covington Catholic beating Cincinnati Moeller (Top 25 in Nation) (58-53)

 

 

 

1. Covington Catholic (5-0) – Had a successful week playing two GCL schools before sell-out crowds. The Colonels defeated Moeller (58-53) and La Salle (67-43). Leading the Colonels for the five three games is C.J. Fredrick (21.0 ppg), Aiden Ruthsatz (18.4 ppg) and Jake Walter (11.8 ppg. 7.2 rpg.). Games coming up: King of the Bluegrass(Fairdale).

 

Previous ranking: 1

 

2. Cooper (5-1) – Won two games last week against Ryle (77-32) and Cincinnati Clark Montessori (66-38). Games coming up: King of the Bluegrass(Fairdale). Leading Cooper for the first four games are Adam Kunkel (18.5 ppg. 9.5 rpg), Chris McNeil (11.8 ppg. ) and Braydon Runion (8.5 ppg.)
Previous ranking: 2

 

3. Holmes (3-1) – Played in only one game and defeated Lloyd (66-55). Through four games Holmes is led by Kerez Race (15.5 ppg.), Jarrod Miller (11.7 ppg.) and Donavin Saxon (13.0 ppg.) Games coming up: Campbell County(Dec.19),Waggener(Dec.21),Paintsville(Dec.22).Previous Ranking: 5



 

4. Newport (5-2) – The Wildcats played in three games last week and went 2-1 . Had a nice wins against Beechwood (84-68) and Conner (60-57) but suffered a loss to 10th Region powerhouse Campbell County (64-59). Through seven games Newport is led by MeKell Burries (23.9ppg.), Tahj Harding (16.9 ppg.) and Makhi McGuire(11.6 ppg.). Games coming up: Swauger Holiday Classic( Bellevue). Previous Ranking: 6

 

 


5. Newport Central Catholic (5-3) – Had a disappointing week, losing to Boone County (74-66) and Cincinnati Deer Park(80-78 in OT). They also won against district opponent Dayton (97-42). Through eight games NewCath is led by Brennan Hall (24.2 ppg.), Brendan Luken (16.3 ppg. 9.7 rpg.) and Branden Posey (9.4 ppg.) Games coming up: Roger Bacon (Dec.19) and Eastern ( Dec.23).Previous ranking: 3

 

6. Ryle (5-2) –Had a big week playing against big rivals Conner and Cooper. The Raiders lost to Cooper 77-32 and beat Conner, 61-54. Through seven games Ryle is led by: Vince Rankin (20.2 ppg. 10.0 rpg.) and Jacob Tarvin (10.7 ppg). Games coming up: Swauger Holiday Classic( Bellevue).Previous Ranking: 4

 

7. Holy Cross (4-2) – Played in three games, with wins against Lloyd (56-41) and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (56-53) but a loss to Sosuth Oldam (75-86) and Campbell County ( 59-77). Through seven games Holy Cross is led by Parker Zimmerman (17.3 ppg.), Nolan Schrand (13.8 ppg) and Jordan Niehuas (13.7 ppg.). Games coming up: Simon Kenton Invitational Tournamen Previous Ranking: 10


 

8. Boone County (4-4) – During the week played in three games and defeated Williamstown ( 63-29) and Newport Central Catholic (74-66), but lost to Indian Hill (56-59). Through eight games Boone County is led by Ethan Haynes(15.0 ppg.), Ethan Robbins(14.3 ppg.) and Raymond Rodgers(15.6ppg.). Games coming up: Lloyd ( Dec.20) and Frankfort (Dec.22).Previous Ranking:9




9. Lloyd (4-3) – During the week played in three games and defeated Williamstown (76-64) and two losses to Holmes (55-66) and Holmes (41-56). * No Stats available Previous week Lloyd is led by Jordan Fann (17.7 ppg.), Jamal Neal (16.5 ppg.) and Evan Molitor (10.7 ppg.). Games coming up: Boone County ( Dec.20).Previous Ranking: 8

 

 

 

10. Highlands- (4-4) — The winning streak is at four games for the Bluebirds. Highlands had wins against Trinity Grammar (77-47), Ludlow (84-48) and Bishop Brossart (50-48). Through eight games Highlands is led by Roddy Gabbard (8.4 ppg.). Games coming Up: Mason County (Dec.21) and Gateway Holiday Classic. Previous Ranking:14


 

 

11. Dixie Heights (2-5) – After having a losing streak of four games, Dixie Heights bounced back and had wins against Beechwood (72-48) and Villa Madonna (81-61). Dixie Heights’ only loss came to Campbell County (61-64). Games coming up: Simon Kenton Invitational Tournament. *Stats not available
Previous Ranking:13





12. Beechwood (4-4) – Had a bad week not only losing two games but had to cancel a game with Simon Kenton due to a flu bug going around. The two losses were against Newport ( 68-84) and Dixie Heights (72-47). Through eight games Beechwood is led by: Scott Draud( 21.0 ppg) and Ben Toebbe (10.3 ppg). Games coming up: Williamstown (Dec.21) and Campbell County(Dec.22).
Previous Ranking: 7

 

 


13.St. Henry (4-4)- After losing a heartbreaker to Highlands in the last seconds, St. Henry bounced back winning games against Bellevue (64-38) and Dayton (74-39) . After eight games Wyatt Vieth leads the team in scoring (10.4 ppg.). Games coming up: Huck Turner Tip- Off Classic. 
Previous Ranking: 11



 

14-Conner (1-7) – The losing streak continues to seven games. Played in three games against Simon Kenton ( 48-74, Ryle ( 54-61) and Newport( 57-60). Through five games Conner is led by Tanner Craddock (10.5 ppg.). Games coming up: Simon Kenton Invitational Tournament Previous Ranking: 12


 

 

15. Bellevue (3-3) – Had a bad week, losing two games to St. Henry ( 38-64) and Calvary Christian (67-70). Through seven games Bellevue is led by: Brett Maehren ( 18.5 ppg. 8.8 rpg) and Tommy Ratterman (11.5 ppg.) Games coming up: Swauger Holiday Classic( Bellevue).Previous Ranking:15



 

16. Villa Madonna (6-5) — Played five games, winning three and losing twice. Villa Madonna’s wins came against Ludlow (62-54), Walden (73-52) and Brown ( 68-66). The only losses came against Dixie Heights ( 61-81) and Louisville Collegiate ( 58-70). Through the eleven games played Villa is led by Sean McIntyre (13.7 ppg.)and Ben Zalla (12.3 ppg.) Games coming up: Bellevue (Dec.18) and St. Francis ( Dec.18). Previous Ranking: 16





17. Ludlow (2-6) – Played three games, lost two games against Villa Madonna (54-62) and Highlands (48-84) but won against Silver Grove (67-29). Previous stats from last week: Trey Donahue (12.3 ppg and 5.0 rpg.) and Justin Blackburn ( 10.0 ppg. and 6.0 rpg.) Games coming up: Simon Kenton( Dec. 18) and at Swauger Holiday Classic. Previous Ranking:17


 

18. Dayton (1-7)-Lost to Newport Central Catholic ( 42-97) and Saint Henry (39-74). Picked up their first win of the season against Silver Grove (67-37). Games coming up this week: Calvary Christian (Dec.18). * Note: No Stats available
Previous Ranking: 18


 


19. Heritage Academy (0-5) – Lost two games last week against Calvary Christian ( 82-41) and Augusta( 63-23). Games coming up: Silver Grove( Dec. 19) and Brown (Dec.21).Note: No Stats available Previous ranking: 19

Great summary! I feel like I now have everything I need to know about the 9th region!

You might want to add the Pegasus Sports Network Best in Hoops Tournament at Oldham County HS (12/21-23) as one of the top holiday tournaments.

 

Grant County will be representing NKY in the tournament.

 

Included among the 8 teams are three teams ranked as the favorites or co-favorites in their respective regions: Warren Central (4th), John Hardin (5th), and Oldham Co (8th).

 

I realize Grant isn't from the ninth, but I mention it because I know a lot of NKY fans "cross-over", watching 9th, 10th, and some 8th region teams.

Outstanding report, thanks for doing the ratings. Holmes and NCC travel to Rowan County for the Kentucky bank classic as well.

Always appreciate the effort that goes into these weekly breakdowns, and as a 9th Region junkie I rate these threads way high up there as my most anticipated threads year after year. Thanks for keeping us in the loop of what's been happening week after week, and what players and teams to keep an eye on. :thumb:

I'd put Holy Cross ahead of Ryle. Ryle's body of work is unimpressive thus far to warrant that high of a ranking. NCC is tough b/c of injuries. At full strength I'd have them in front of Newport slightly.