article BluegrassPreps.com 9th Region Rankings 12/26/17

Game of the Week: Cooper beating Covington Catholic (62-59)

Biggest win: Newport beating Lexington Catholic (59-57)

New Number One: Cooper

Surprise Team: Boone

Prediction 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 (Winner), Newport (Runner Up)

1. Cooper (8-2) – Had a successful weekend at the King of the Bluegrass, losing to state No. 1 Trinity (72-61) but won three games last week against Pulaski County (74-52), Fairdale (71-60) and Covington Catholic (62-59).Games coming up: Traditional Holiday Classic(Lexington Catholic).Leading Cooper for 10 games are Adam Kunkel (20.9 ppg. 9.5 rpg), Chris McNeil (10.9 ppg) and Braydon Runion (9.9 ppg). Previous ranking: 2

2. Covington Catholic (8-2) – After being ranked in the USA Top 25 in the country, the Colonels had a disappointing week playing in King of the Bluegrass. The Colonels defeated Ensworth, Tennesse (84-59) and Ballard (71-61) and lost to Fern Creek (70-62) and Cooper (62-59). Leading the Colonels for the ten games is C.J. Fredrick (21.2 ppg), Aiden Ruthsatz (18.1 ppg) and Jake Walter (9.9 ppg. 6.6 rpg). Games coming up: Battle of the Village at the Village, FL. Previous ranking: 1

3. Newport (8-2) – Had a very successful week at the Swauger Holidy Classic. Had nice wins against state ranked Lexington Catholic (59-57), Bishop Brossart (59-43) and Lewis County (75-63).Through 10 games Newport is led by MeKell Burries(23.4 ppg), Tahj Harding (17.8 ppg) and Makhi McGuire(10.5 ppg).Games coming up: Apollo Fairfield Inn Invitational ( Apollo). Previous Ranking:4

4. Boone County (6-4) – During the week played in two games and defeated Lloyd (72-48) and Frankfort (63-51). Through 10 games Boone County is led by Ethan Haynes(14.7 ppg), Ethan Robbins(13.2 ppg) and Raymond Rodgers(16.9 ppg). Games coming up: Lawrence Holiday Tournament ( Dec.29- 30). Previous Ranking: 8

5. Newport Central Catholic (6-4) – Played in only two games, losing to Eastern (74-66) and beating Roger Bacon (49-45). Through 10 games Newport Central Catholic is led by Brennan Hall (25.6 ppg), Brendan Luken (13.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and Branden Posey (8.9 ppg). Games coming up: Jeff and Julie Beyke Classic at South Oldham ( Dec.27). Previous ranking: 6

6. Holmes (3-4) – Holmes had a disappointing week losing all three games. Holmes lost to Campbell County (79-65), Waggener (64-46) and Paintsville (51-48). * No Stats available from last week: Through seven games Holmes is led by Kerez Race (15.5 ppg), Jarrod Miller (11.7 ppg) and Donavin Saxon (13.0 ppg). Games coming up: Warren Central(Dec.27),Ohio County(Dec.28),Marshall County(Dec.29). Previous Ranking: 3

7. Beechwood (5-5) –Beechwood played in only two games winning one against Williamstown (90-44) but losing to Campbell County (96-88). Through 10 games Beechwood is led by: Scott Draud( 21.8 ppg) and C.J. Brannen (11.7 ppg). Games coming up: Central Bank Classic at Lexington Christian ( Dec.27-29). Previous Ranking: 12

8. Holy Cross (5-4) – Played in three games, with a win against Russell (76-68) but two losses to Scott (76-56) and Aiken (79-74). Through nine games Holy Cross is led by Parker Zimmerman (15.5 ppg), Nolan Schrand ( 16.0 ppg) and Jordan Niehuas(13.3 ppg). Games coming up: Ashland Invitational ( Dec.27-29). Previous Ranking: 7

9. Ryle (6-4) –Had a rough week losing against Bishop Brossart (63-41) and Lexington Catholic (91-43), but winning against Ludlow (70-37). * No stats availble from Previous week: Through 10 games Ryle is led by: Vince Rankin (20.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg) and Jacob Tarvin (10.7 ppg).Games coming up: Meade County ( Dec.29). Previous Ranking: 5

10.St. Henry (5-5) - Played in two games at the Huck Turner Tip- off Classic. The Crusaders beat Western Hills (67-64) but lost to LaRue County(62-51). After 10 games Wyatt Vieth leads the team in scoring (11.1 ppg). Games coming up: Bishop Brossart (Dec.28). Previous Ranking: 13

11. Lloyd (4-4) – Played in only one game losing to Boone County (72-48). * 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: 9

12. Highlands (4-5) — The Bluebird winning streak reached four games after beating Bishop Brossart (50-48). But the streak was snapped after losing to Mason County (72-61). Through nine games Highlands is led by Roddy Gabbard (8.9 ppg). Games coming Up: Gateway Holiday Classic (Dec. 28-30). Previous Ranking:10

13. Dixie Heights (4-7) – Coach Stainforth first year has been filled with ups and downs. After having a busy week at the Simon Kenton Invitation, Dixie Heights had wins against Russell (80-73) and Aiken (75-71). Dixie Heights had losses to Collins (72-69) and Mason County (61-48). Games coming up: Ashland Invitational ( Dec.27-29). *Stats not available Previous Ranking:11

14. Conner (2-9) – The Cougars snapped a losing streak of six games by beating Russell (58-56). But Conner lost to Collins (76-68) and Simon Kenton (79-53). Through 11 games Conner is led by Tanner Craddock (10.4 ppg). Games coming up: Simon Central Bank Classic at Lexington Christian (Dec. 28-29). Previous Ranking: 14

15. Bellevue (5-5) – Had a busy week, losing games to Lewis County (55-52) and Bishop Brossart (57-37), but winning against Villa Madonna (51-42) and Henry County (57-44). No stats available: Through 10 games Bellevue is led by: Brett Maehren (18.5 ppg, m8.8 rpg) and Tommy Ratterman (11.5 ppg). Games coming up: JBR/ Straightedge Holiday Tournament (Dec. 27). Previous Ranking:15

16. Villa Madonna (7-6) - Played two games, winning one and losing one. Villa Madonna defeated St. Francis (65-58), but lost to Bellevue (51-42). Through 13 games played Villa is led by Sean McIntyre (13.9 ppg) and Ben Zalla (11.7 ppg).0 Games coming up: Bishop Brosssart (Dec.30). Previous Ranking: 16

17. Ludlow (2-10) – Played four games, losing to Simon Kenton (72-34), Lewis County (75-40), Henry County (58-36) and Ryle (70-37). No Stats avaialbe, 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: North College Hill (Dec.28). Previous Ranking:17

18. Dayton (1-9) - Lost to Calvary Christian (68-57) and New Richmond (62-52). Games coming up this week: Beth Haven (Dec.28) and Whitefield Academy ( Dec.28). * Note: No Stats available Previous Ranking: 18

19. Heritage Academy (1-5) – Heritage recorded its first win of the season by defeating Silver Grove (82-71) . Through six games Heritage Academy is led by Jacob Chalk (18.5 ppg). Games coming up: Wendy’s Classic at Portsmouth, Ohio (Dec. 30) Previous Ranking: 19

Does Walters play a lot of minutes. I understand the ppg numbers because of the type of offense they run; but the rebounding numbers I would think should be higher than 7 pg.

I'm sure I saw Paintsville defeat Holmes 51 to 48,

Are the district winner predictions based on anything other than guessing? Or, is it based upon W/Ls, Head to Head matchups, or what has been observed?