article BluegrassPreps.com 9th Region Weekly Rankings (1/1/2018)

Big District Games:

Holy Cross vs. Covington Catholic (Jan. 2)

St. Henry vs. Dixie Heights (Jan. 3)

Ryle vs. Boone County (Jan. 3)

Holy Cross vs. Holmes (Jan. 5)

Boone County vs. Cooper (Jan. 5)

Newport vs. Highlands (Jan. 5)

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 Catholic (Winner), Newport (Runner-Up)

1. Cooper (12-2) – Enjoyed a successful weekend at the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic, winning the championship. Cooper posted wins against Paul Laurence Dunbar (53-48), Madison Central (52-42), Skills Factory (78-65) and Rocky River (57-47). Leading Cooper through 14 games are Adam Kunkel (22.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg), Chris McNeil (11.2 ppg) and Braydon Runion (9.3 ppg). Games coming up: Highlands (Jan. 2) and Boone County (Jan.5)

Previous ranking: 1

2. Covington Catholic (9-3) – After a disappointing showing at the King of the Bluegrass the previous week, the Colonels traveled to Florida to play in the Battle of The Villages. Covington Catholic had a very successful week, playing against extremely talented teams from different states and taking third place in the tournament. The Colonels defeated Florida Prep (61-60) and Pickerington Central (75-68), but lost to Leesburg (Fla.) (54-42). Leading the Colonels through 12 games is C.J. Fredrick (21.1 ppg), Aiden Ruthsatz (17.8 ppg) and Jake Walter (10.4 ppg). Games coming up: Holy Cross (Jan. 2), Conner (Jan. 5) and Oak Hill (Converse) at the Kentucky-Indiana Hall of Fame Classic (Jan. 6 at Central Hardin).

Previous ranking: 2

3. Boone County (8-5) – Played three times and posted wins against Henry County (81-33) and Western Hills (88-56). The Rebels also lost to West Jessamine (90-79). Through 13 games Boone County is led by Raymond Rodgers (17.3 ppg), Ethan Haynes (15.5 ppt) and Ethan Robbins (15.7 ppg). Games coming up: Ryle (Jan. 3), Cooper (Jan. 5) and Sayre (Jan. 6).

Previous Ranking: 4

4. Newport Central Catholic (8-5) – Played three times and posted wins against Waggner (76-73) and McCracken County (73-65). NewCath also lost to Butler (79-76). NewCath is led by Brennan Hall (24.8 ppg), Brendan Luken (12.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and Branden Posey (9.1 ppg). Games coming up: Frederick Douglass (Jan. 6).

Previous ranking: 5

5. Newport (9-4) – Suffered through a tough week, beating Apollo (81-78) but losing to both Collins (67-53) and Mayfield (79-67). Through 13 games Newport is led by MeKell Burries (23.2 ppg), Tahj Harding (16.1 ppg) and Makhi McGuire (11.4 ppg). Games coming up: Augusta (Jan. 3) and Highlands (Jan. 5).

Previous ranking: 4

6. Holy Cross (6-6) – Played in three games, with a win against Dixie Heights (61-58) but two losses to Ashland Blazer (78-60) and Vestavia Hills (64-61). Through 12 games Holy Cross is led by Parker Zimerman (15.5 ppg), Nolan Schrand (15.7 ppg) and Jordan Niehuas (14.3 ppg). Games coming up: Covington Catholic (Jan. 2) and Holmes (Jan. 5).

Previous Ranking: 8

7. Holmes (4-6) – Played in three games, with a win against Ohio County (62-43). Holmes also lost to Waren Central (67-53) and Marshall County (55-40). * No Stats available from last week: Through 10 games Holmes is led by Kerez Race (15.5 ppg), Jarrod Miller (11.7 ppg) and Donavin Saxon (13.0 ppg). Games coming up: Scott (Jan. 2), Holy Cross (Jan. 5) and Mason County (Jan. 6).

Previous Ranking: 6

8. Ryle (6-5) – Played once last week and lost to Meade County (67-45). Through 11 games Ryle is led by: Vince Rankin (20.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg) and Jacob Tarvin (8.7 ppg). Games coming up: Boone County (Jan.3), Dixie Heights (Jan.5) and Beechwood (Jan. 6).

Previous Ranking: 5

9. Highlands - (6-6) — The Bluebirds had a successful week, beating Powell County (49-48) and Anderson County (62-59). Highlands also lost to Montgomery County (60-47). Through 12 games Highlands is led by Roddy Gabbard (9.1 ppg). Games coming Up: Cooper (Jan. 2) and Newport (Jan. 5).

Previous Ranking:12

10. Beechwood (6-7) – Played in three games, with a win against Frederick Douglass (62-55), but two losses to Conner (76-60) and Madisonville North Hopkins (59-56). Through 13 games Beechwood is led by Scotty Draud (21.5 ppg) and C.J. Brannen (11.5 ppg).Games coming up: Norwood (Jan.5) and Ryle ( Jan.6).

Previous Ranking: 7

11. St. Henry (5-6) - Played once and lost to Bishop Brossart (50-43). After 11 games Wyatt Vieth leads the team in scoring (10.6 ppg). Games coming up: Dixie Heights ( Jan. 3) and Lexington Catholic ( Jan.5).

Previous Ranking: 10

12. Lloyd (5-5) – Split two games, losing to Union County (60-46) and beating East Dayton Christian (54-39). * No Stats available. Lloyd is led by Jordan Fann (17.7 ppg), Jamal Neal (16.5 ppg) and Evan Molitor (10.7 ppg). Games coming up: Bishop Brossart (Jan. 2), Conner (Jan. 3) and Henry County (Jan. 6).

Previous Ranking: 11

13. Dixie Heights (5-9) – Had a busy week at the Ashland Invitational, Dixie Heights posted a win against Breathitt County (64-46). Dixie Heights also had losses to Owensboro Catholic (51-50) and Holy Cross (61-58). Games coming up: St. Henry ( Jan.3) and Ryle (Jan.5). *Stats not available

Previous Ranking:13

14. Conner (4-10) – Conner had a successful week, winning twice and losing once. Conner beat Beechwood (76-60) and Tates Creek (63-53). The Cougars also lost to Lexington Christian (83-56). Through 14 games Conner is led by Tanner Craddock (10.5 ppg) and Jared Hicks (10.2 ppg). Games coming up: Lloyd (Jan. 3) and Covington Catholic (Jan. 5).

Previous Ranking: 14

15. Bellevue (6-7) – Had a busy week, playing in the JBR/Straightedge Holiday Tournament. The Tigers lost games to Harrison County (63-49) and Nicholas County (68-32), but defeated Bracken County (69-51). Through 13 games Bellevue is led by Brett Maehren (18.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Tommy Ratterman (12.4 ppg). Games coming up: Seven Hills (Jan. 2) and Ludlow (Jan. 4).

Previous Ranking: 15

16. Villa Madonna (7-7) - Played once and lost to Bishop Brossart (58-31). Through 14 games played Villa is led by Sean McIntyre (13.9 ppg) and Ben Zalla (11.7 ppg). Games coming up: Dayton (Jan.5).

Previous Ranking: 16

17. Ludlow (2-11) – Lost to North College Hill (72-35) in its only game. Through 13 games Ludlow is led by Trey Donahue (12.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg.) and Justin Blackburn ( 8.5 ppg. and 5.0 rpg). Games coming up: Bellevue (Jan. 4).

Previous Ranking: 17

18. Dayton (2-10) - Lost to Whitefield Academy (65-37) and beat Beth Haven (64-60). Games coming up this week: Heritage Academy (Jan. 4) and Villa Madonna (Jan. 5). * Note: No Stats available

Previous Ranking: 18

19. Heritage Academy (1-5) – Heritage’s game against Ohio Valley Christian game was canceled, its only scheduled contest of the week. Through six games Heritage Academy is led by Jacob Chalk (18.5 ppg). Games coming up: Dayton (Jan. 4) and Covington Latin (Jan. 6).

Previous Ranking: 19

Assuming we're allowed to disagree....

If Boone is the 3rd best team let's just skip districts and the region and just let CovCath and Cooper play a best-of-5.

Boone has no wins to warrant being 3rd. They beat NCC with NCC being short-handed. Move both Newport and NCC up. Then you can debate where Boone belongs.

Doesn’t matter if they were short handed or not! If that’s the case then Cooper win against Cov Cath doesn’t count, Newport win against Lex Cath doesn’t count because both were missing starters!

Newport lost two games that’s why they dropped!

Doesn’t matter if they were short handed or not! If that’s the case then Cooper win against Cov Cath doesn’t count, Newport win against Lex Cath doesn’t count because both were missing starters!

Newport lost two games that’s why they dropped!

CovCath and Cooper are both very good and very close . I could make an argument for both being #1.

At full strength I'm taking both teams from Newport over the Rebels.

And what's with all of the exclamation points?

There is no argument! Cooper beat Cov Cath!

There is no argument! Cooper beat Cov Cath!

Again, no issue with Cooper being #1 but ignoring who played or didn't play is silly.

I'd also ask you which LexCath players didn't play. When I look at the box score it looks like their top 6 scorers played. And by using your logic Newport beat LexCath!!!!!!! so that should help Newport, right?

Doesn’t matter if they were short handed or not! If that’s the case then Cooper win against Cov Cath doesn’t count, Newport win against Lex Cath doesn’t count because both were missing starters!

Newport lost two games that’s why they dropped!

Covcath wasn't short there best 3 players against cooper.

NCC starting big man was out of the lineup and that was a major factor in game 5 of the season. That was a long time ago. An I think NCC Performance this past week with a win against Waggener a top 20 team an 3pt defeat to a top 10 team in Butler should have put them at number 3 without a doubt. Who did Boone play this past week?

Newport just lost this past week to two average teams! That’s why they dropped!

Boone beat New Cath! Doesn’t matter who played or who didn’t play!

Newport just lost this past week to two average teams! That’s why they dropped!

Boone beat New Cath! Doesn’t matter who played or who didn’t play!

Sure it matters. Why wouldn't it matter? Like I said this past week said enough for NCC an the teams they played an beat. Who did Boone play? Nobody near the likes of waggner and Butler! Give them some credit.

Newport just lost this past week to two average teams! That’s why they dropped!

Boone beat New Cath! Doesn’t matter who played or who didn’t play!

So if you were an AP voter in 1983 you would have voted Chaminade ahead of Ralph Sampson's UVA team?

New Cath lost to Boone County! How do we know if he would of helped or not helped! Until they play again, this week Boone is ahead of New Cath!

The writers doing the rankings for college basketball isn’t taking in consideration that Kentucky has two players out!

They didn’t have one the best over all players on the team not playing!

Lol.. So we're basing that off a win a month ago? But this past week games mean nothing? Boone beat 2 below avg teams an got blown out by west Jessamine. But waggner an Butler are both better in RANKINGS THAN WEST. But it's your opinion on these rankings so I don't put to much stock into this at all!

They have the same records! Both teams have bad losses!

If we were doing strength of schedule Cov Cath would be over Cooper! Even though they lost to them