article BluegrassPreps.com 9th Region Weekly Rankings (01/29/2018)

Big Games:

Cooper vs. Newport (Jan. 30)

Covington Catholic vs. Scott (Jan. 30) v

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), Holy Cross (Runner-Up)

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

1.Covington Catholic (18-4) – Covington Catholic had a very successful week despite a shortened roster due to illness. The Colonels won two games and secured the top seed in the upcoming district tournament. The Colonels defeated Campbell County (55-53) and Holmes (80-42). Leading the Colonels for the 22 games is C.J. Fredrick (21.3 ppg), Aiden Ruthsatz (16.3 ppg) and Jake Walter (11.3 ppg). Games coming up: Highlands (Jan.29), Scott (Jan.30) and Beechwood (Feb. 2).
Previous ranking: 1

2. Cooper (16-5) – Cooper snapped a three-game losing streak by winning two big district games. The Jaguars beat both Conner (74-42) and Ryle (74-27). Cooper had lost to Boone County (65-63) and Covington Catholic (47-32) the previous week. Leading Cooper through 21 games are Adam Kunkel (19.9 ppg. 6.9 rpg), Chris McNeil (11.2 ppg) and Braydon Runion (8.6 ppg). Games coming up: Newport (Jan. 30) and Holmes (Feb.1).
Previous ranking: 2

3. Boone County (12-9) – Played in twice, beating Conner (47-45) but losing to Simon Kenton (75-69). Through 21 games Boone County is led by Raymond Rodgers (16.9 ppg), Ethan Haynes (18.0 ppg) and Ethan Robbins(13.2 ppg). Games coming up: Ryle (Feb.1) and Seneca (Feb. 3).
Previous Ranking: 3

4. Newport (17-5) -Played twice and beat Bellevue (73-53) and Holy Cross (83-67). Through 22 games Newport is led by MeKell Burries (22.7 ppg), Tahj Harding (15.9 ppg), Donnie Miller (10.9 ppg) and Makhi McGuire (9.7 ppg). Games coming up: Cooper (Jan.30), Breathitt County (Feb. 2).
Previous Ranking: 5

5. Beechwood (13-10) – After winning the All “A” Classic regional title for the first time. Beechwood had a disappointing week with losses to district rival Holmes (76-73) and to Knott County Central (51-33). Beechwood won their first round game in the All A Classic, beating Lynn Camp (72-39).Through 23 games Beechwood is led by Scotty Draud (21.5 ppg) and C.J. Brannen (11.1 ppg) and Ben Toebbe (10.2 ppg). Games coming up: Conner (Jan. 30) and Covington Catholic (Feb. 2). Previous Ranking: 4

6. Holy Cross (10-9) – Played once and lost to Newport (83-67). Through 19 games Holy Cross is led by Parker Zimerman (17.2 ppg), Nolan Schrand (15.4 ppg) and Jordan Niehaus (12.5 ppg). Games coming up: Lexington Christian (Jan. 30) and Conner (Feb.3).
Previous Ranking: 6 



7. Newport Central Catholic (11-9) – Beat Highlands (81-66) but lost to Pendleton County (79-64).Through 20 games Newport Central Catholic is led by Brennan Hall (22.1 ppg), Brendan Luken (12.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and Branden Posey (9.5 ppg). Games coming up: Scott (Feb. 1) and Bishop Brossart (Feb.3)
Previous ranking: 7

8. Dixie Heights (12-10) – Had a successful week, beating Lloyd (75-51), Grant County (61-58) and Eastern (61-47). Through 22 games Dixie Heights is led by Tyler Schreck (13.9 ppg) and Jabari Karim (12.6 ppg). Games coming up: Holmes (Jan. 30) and Ludlow (Feb. 2). Previous Ranking: 8 3-0




9. Highlands- (10-10) — Highlands defeated Bellevue (53-49) and lost to Newport Central Catholic (81-66). Through 20 games Highlands is led by Ben Sisson (14.0 ppg). Games coming Up: Covington Catholic (Jan. 29), Anderson, Ohio (Jan. 30) and Campbell County (Feb.3).
Previous Ranking: 9 1-1

10. Holmes (8-11) – Holmes split two district games, beating Beechwood (76-73), but losing to Covington Catholic (80-42). Through 19 games Holmes is led by Kerez Race (12.9 ppg), Jarrod Miller (9.1 ppg) and Donavin Saxon 8.4 ppg). Games coming up: Dixie Heights (Jan. 30) and Cooper (Feb.1).
Previous Ranking: 10 



11. Lloyd (8-12) – Played in three games, losing to Dixie Heights ( 75-51) and Gallatin County (72-44) but beating Ludlow (68-48). Through 20 games Lloyd is led by Jordan Fann (14.9 ppg) and Jamal Neal (14.6 ppg). Games coming up: St Henry (Feb. 2) and Eminence (Feb. 3).
Previous Ranking: 11 



12. St. Henry (7-11) – Played twice, losing to Pendleton County (95-63) and Campbell County (83-55). After 16 games Wyatt Vieth leads the team in scoring (8.8 ppg). Games coming up: Villa Madonna ( Jan.30), Williamstown (Jan.31) and Lloyd Memorial ( Feb. 2).
Previous Ranking: 12 




13. Conner (6-16) – Lost to Cooper (74-42) and Boone County (47-45).Through 22 games Conner is led by Tanner Craddock (10.5 ppg) and Jared Hicks (10.5 ppg). Games coming up: Beechwood (Jan. 30) and Holy Cross (Feb. 3).
Previous Ranking: 13 


14. Ryle (6-14) – After having a strong beginning of the year, Ryle has lost 10 straight games. Ryle lost to Carroll County (64-62) and Cooper (74-27). No Stats available , Stats from Previous week. Through 20 games Ryle is led by Vince Rankin (17.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and Jacob Tarvin (7.5 ppg). Games coming up: Owen County (Jan. 30), Boone County (Feb.1) and Shelby County (Feb.3). 
Previous Ranking: 14





15. Bellevue (9-12) – Played three games, beating Heritage Academy (63-22) and losing to both Newport (78-50) and Highlands (53-49). Through 21 games Bellevue is led by Brett Maehren (16.1 ppg. 7.9 rpg) and Tommy Ratterman (12.9 ppg). Games coming up: Calvary Christian (Jan.30) and Villa Madonna ( Feb.2). 
Previous Ranking:15 




16. Villa Madonna (11-10) – Played in three games last week. Villa beat Silver Grove (68-43) and Ludlow (57-43), but lost to Trimble County (62-56). Through 21 games played Villa is led by Sean McIntyre (13.5 ppg) and Ben Zalla (12.2 ppg). Games coming up: Heritage Academy ( Jan.29), St Henry ( Jan.30) and Bellevue (Feb.2).
Previous Ranking: 16 



17. Ludlow (4-16) – Lost to Villa Madonna (57-43) and Lloyd Memorial (68-48), but beat Dayton (56-45). * No Stats available , Stats from Previous week. Through 20 games Ludlow is led by Trey Donahue (13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg) and Ian Vallandingham (8.6 ppg). Games coming up: Dixie Heights (Feb.2).
Previous Ranking: 17 



18. Dayton (4-17) - Dayton lost twice last week, falling short to Ludlow (56-45) and Bishop Brossart ( 66-35). The Greendevils also beat Silver Grove (60-27). Games coming up this week: St. Patrick (Jan. 30) and Calvary Christian (Feb.2). * No Stats available , Stats from Previous week. Through 21 games Dayton is led by Michael Marksberry (10.0 ppg.) and Julian Jimenez (10.4 ppg.).
Previous Ranking: 18 



19. Heritage Academy (1-13) – Losing streak is now at eight games. Last week Heritage lost to Bellevue (63-22) and Portland Christian (66-43). Through 14 games Heritage is led by Jacob Chalk (12.8 ppg.). Games coming up: Villa Madonna (Jan. 29), Silver Grove (Feb.2) and Covington Latin (Feb. 3)
Previous Ranking: 19

Not bad but I have to disagree on some of them.

1. Covington Catholic

2. Cooper

3. Newport

4. Boone County - I would still take Newport over Boone head to head

5. NCC - they're almost at full strength and losses came when pieces were missing or hurt.

6. Holy Cross - Feb. 10 is the day this team is focused on to avoid Cov Cath in round 1.

7. Holmes - winning on the road v. Beechwood puts them over the Tigers. One bad loss on the year, at Holy Cross. Have beat Newport, Highlands, and Beechwood. Will learn more about them this week after Dixie and Cooper games.

8. Beechwood - great All-A win but losses to Lloyd, Conner, and Dixie are hurting them. Be interesting to see how they compete against Cov Cath.

9. Dixie - no real impressive wins so far. Their wins have come against opponents with a 39.9% winning percentage. Smart scheduling for a first year coach.

10. Highlands

Not bad but I have to disagree on some of them.

 

1. Covington Catholic

2. Cooper

3. Newport

4. Boone County - I would still take Newport over Boone head to head

5. NCC - they're almost at full strength and losses came when pieces were missing or hurt.

6. Holy Cross - Feb. 10 is the day this team is focused on to avoid Cov Cath in round 1.

7. Holmes - winning on the road v. Beechwood puts them over the Tigers. One bad loss on the year, at Holy Cross. Have beat Newport, Highlands, and Beechwood. Will learn more about them this week after Dixie and Cooper games.

8. Beechwood - great All-A win but losses to Lloyd, Conner, and Dixie are hurting them. Be interesting to see how they compete against Cov Cath.

9. Dixie - no real impressive wins so far. Their wins have come against opponents with a 39.9% winning percentage. Smart scheduling for a first year coach.

10. Highlands

After CovCath and Cooper, they are all about equal. Boone is the only team in the 9th Region and break through with a win against the Big Two with their win over Cooper, thats why they are third. Boone has three really good players and is the only team IMO of beating either of the Big two. Newport is good for a few games, then loses at home to Beechwood. Look at Newport's free throws the other night against Holy Cross and that is why I can't see them as a factor in the region. NewCath is a team too watch out for come the regional. I think NewCath will win their district over Newport, but for this week's ratings we are just basing it on what they have done. I agree with you NewCath is going to make a run at tournament time.

That is the same Boone team to lose to cooper without Adam and then win when they had Adam. So how consistent are they really? And Newport also beat this Boone team in a head to head matchup and Boone also loss to beechwood and holy cross. Newport also beat holy cross twice and beechwood once

These rankings seem to be lacking more so than in the years past. Not sure what changed. The logic just doesn’t seem to make much sense.

Also, sense there seems to be an anti-Newport sentiment feel to the rankings, I figure I’ll toss them some love, and say, Newport beat Bellevue 78-50 last week. Not 73-53. That was in the All A.

That said, 1-2 may be locked right now, say unless Newport somehow wins tomorrow night at Cooper, but 3-5 is also a lock, Boone-Newport-NewCath, in whatever order. After the top 5, it’s a considerable dropoff, understanding that anyone can beat anybody on a given night. Thus, is why we play the games.

That is the same Boone team to lose to cooper without Adam and then win when they had Adam. So how consistent are they really? And Newport also beat this Boone team in a head to head matchup and Boone also loss to beechwood and holy cross. Newport also beat holy cross twice and beechwood once

Please explain to me!

The Boone county team you have ranked third got beat this year by holy cross, beechwood and Newport. So you just brought up a loss in the championship where Newport lost to beechwood but never talked about the fact that Boone county lost to both of those teams. They also got beat by holy cross who Newport pounded twice this season. So I don’t understand what ranks Boone so high when they have one good win over cooper and 9 losses.

The Boone county team you have ranked third got beat this year by holy cross, beechwood and Newport. So you just brought up a loss in the championship where Newport lost to beechwood but never talked about the fact that Boone county lost to both of those teams. They also got beat by holy cross who Newport pounded twice this season. So I don’t understand what ranks Boone so high when they have one good win over cooper and 9 losses.

Those 3 losses for Boone came in the first 4 games of the season. They also played two of those games with out a starter, Parker Kyle, who is the secondary ball handler and a top defensive player for the Rebels. He only played 5 minutes in the game against Newport also. This is not the same team as the one back in the December.

If that’s the case then Newport lost to beechwood because Makhi McGuire didn’t play nothing but two minutes the whole game and that allowed beechwood to double Burries the whole game because they didn’t have another shooter on the floor.

If that’s the case then Newport lost to beechwood because Makhi McGuire didn’t play nothing but two minutes the whole game and that allowed beechwood to double Burries the whole game because they didn’t have another shooter on the floor.

What does that have to do with Boone? You were talking about Boone losing to those three teams.

That Newport hasn’t really had any losses that you can bring up besides beechwood but one of their starters and big contributors didn’t play. When Newport has everybody playing they are tough to beat and a better team than Boone from top to bottom.

That Newport hasn’t really had any losses that you can bring up besides beechwood but one of their starters and big contributors didn’t play. When Newport has everybody playing they are tough to beat and a better team than Boone from top to bottom.

Ummm, Newport lost to a very bad Holmes team. The Wildcats also got blown off the floor by Collins and Mayfield in consecutive days, not a good look, and then barely beat a bad Apollo team in overtime. No one is saying Boone is great, but at full strength as they proved against Cooper, they are the No. 3 team in the region. I like Newport's talent, but talent does not always mean a better team. They beat Boone a while back and that is to their credit.

Newport lost to Holmes like the 5th game of the season. They played terrible in that tournament from what I’ve heard and we will see at the end of the year who does better and see if these rankings change.

I would think some of the bottom feeders on this list would be starting to think about making coaching changes for next year. If not maybe they ought to be.