article BluegrassPreps.com 9th Region Final Rankings and Post-season Players to Watch

The district tournaments begin this week around the 9th Region at various sites. CovCath, Cooper and Dixie Heights are prohibitive favorites in their districts. If any of those three teams lose in district action, it will be the result of a major upset.

Keep an eye on the 36th District, as NewCath vs. Highlands could be a dandy in the first round. If NewCath defeats Highlands, they will likely face rival Newport in the championship game. Two weeks ago, Newport snapped a 16-game losing streak in the series against NewCath. That game was played on the Wildcats home floor, this one will be on a neutral court at Highlands.

On another note, former Holmes star Mark Elmer recent passed away. He was a key member of the 1980 Holmes team that won the 9th Region championship and advanced to the state semifinals when the event was played at Freedom Hall in Louisville. Mark started next to Holmes all-state guard Dicky Beal on that 1980 team that was coached by Reynolds Flynn.

Speaking of Holmes, this marks 40 years since the Bulldogs won the 1978 regional championship and advanced to the state title game against Shelby County. In that game, Shelby County star Charles Hurt had the controversial block that appeared to be goaltending on a Doug Schloemer shot. Hurt’s hand clearly went through the net and knocked the ball out of the cylinder as the Rockets won in overtime. That Sweet 16 classic game is 40 years old this March.

1. Covington Catholic (26-4) –The Colonels have won 14 straight games after defeating both Simon Kenton (82-55) and Madison Central (63-45). Leading the Colonels through 30 games is C.J. Fredrick (22.8 ppg), Aiden Ruthsatz (14.6 ppg) and Jake Walter (12.0 ppg). 1st Round District Game: Beechwood (Feb. 21). Previous ranking: 1




2. Cooper (22-5) – Cooper has a seven-game winning streak after beating Dixie Heights (88-37) and Scott (66-34). Leading Cooper through 27 games are Adam Kunkel (21.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg), Chris McNeil (10.3 ppg) and Braydon Runion (9.5 ppg). Please see bracket for next game. The Jaguars play the winner of Conner/Heritage Academy. Previous ranking: 2



3. Newport (22-6) – Newport had a very successful week, beating Dayton (81-46) and St. Henry (80-60). Through 28 games Newport is led by MeKell Burries (21.9 ppg), Tahj Harding (14.9 ppg), Donnie Miller (10.8 ppg) and Makhi McGuire (10.5 ppg). Please see bracket for next game. The Wildcats play the winner of Bellevue/Dayton on Feb 21. Previous Ranking: 3

4. Newport Central Catholic (15-11) – NewCath beat Conner (62-47) in its only game last week. NewCath is led by Brennan Hall (20.6 ppg), Brendan Luken (12.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Braden Posey (8.5 ppg). 1st Round District Game: Newport Central Catholic vs. Highlands (Feb. 21). Previous ranking: 5

5. Boone County (16-11) – Boone lost to Campbell County (69-52) but beat Dixie Heights (62-60). Through 27 games Boone County is led by Ethan Haynes (18.0 ppg), Raymond Rodgers (16.0 ppg) and Ethan Robbins (12.8 ppg). 1st Round District Game: vs. Ryle (Feb. 21). Previous Ranking: 4

6. Dixie Heights (14-14) – Dixie lost to Boone County (62-60) and Cooper (88-37). Through 28 games Dixie Heights is led by Tyler Schreck (13.6 ppg) and Jabari Karim (12.3 ppg). Please see bracket for next game. Dixie plays the winner of Villa Madonna/Ludlow. Previous Ranking: 6

7. Beechwood (18-12) – Had a successful week, beating Highlands (52-43) and Gallatin County (52-43). Through 30 games Beechwood is led by Scotty Draud (20.9 ppg), C.J. Brannen (10.8 ppg) and Ben Toebbe (11.4 ppg). 1st Round District Game: vs. Covington Catholic (Feb.21). Previous Ranking: 9

8. Holy Cross (12-15) – The rollercoaster season continues as Holy Cross lost to Scott County (78-51) and St. Henry (66-60), but beat Highlands ( 54-52). Through 27 games Holy Cross is led by Parker Zimerman (15.9 ppg), Nolan Schrand (16.4 ppg) and Jordan Niehaus (13.0 ppg). 1st Round District Game: vs. Holmes ( Feb.21). Previous Ranking: 8

9. Holmes (12-14) – Continues to play hard for Coach Mike Listerman, who is retiing at season’s end. Holmes beat Conner (76-70), but lost to Simon Kenton( 64-46). Through 26 games Holmes is led by Kerez Race (13.1 ppg), Jarrod Miller (9.4 ppg) and Donavin Saxon (8.2 ppg). 1st Round District Play: Holy Cross (Feb. 21). Previous Ranking: 10 



10. Highlands (13-14) — The rollercoaster season continues for Highlands, which beat Villa Madonna (61-31) but lost to Holy Cross (54-52) and Beechwood (52-43). Through 27 games Highlands is led by Ben Sisson (8.5 ppg). 1st Round District Game against Newport Central Catholic (Feb.21). Previous Ranking: 9 


11. St. Henry (11-15) — St. Henry spilt two games, losing to Newport (80-60) and beating Holy Cross (66-60). After 26 games Wyatt Vieth leads the team in scoring (10.0 ppg). Games coming up: vs. Lloyd in 1st Round District Game (Feb. 21). Previous Ranking: 11



12. Conner (9-20) – Lost to NewCath (62-47) and Holmes (76-70), but beat Bellevue (48-45). Through 29 games Conner is led by Brenden Ginn (10.4 ppg), Tanner Craddock (9.9 ppg) and Jared Hicks (10.7 ppg). 1st Round District Game: Heritage Academy (Feb. 19). Previous Ranking: 12

13. Lloyd (11-15) – Lloyd had wins against Trimble County (57-41) and Ryle (66-45). Through 26 games Lloyd is led by Jordan Fann (15.0 ppg) and Jamal Neal (13.9 ppg). 1st Round District game: St. Henry (Feb. 21). Previous Ranking: 12




14. Ryle (10-18) – Ryle lost to Campbell County (77-46) and Lloyd (66-45).Through 28 games Ryle is led by Vince Rankin (18.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and Jacob Tarvin (7.1 ppg). 1st Round District Game: Boone County (Feb.21). Previous Ranking: 13



15. Bellevue (13-16) – Played three times, beating Silver Grove (71-16), but losing to Conner (48-45) and Bishop Brossart (47-45). Through 29 games Bellevue is led by Brett Maehren (15.9 ppg. 7.6 rpg) and Tommy Ratterman (13.2 ppg). 1st Round District game: vs. Dayton (Feb. 19) Previous Ranking: 15 





16. Villa Madonna (14-15) – Villa lost twice last week, falling short to Highlands (61-31) and Augusta (35-34), but also recorded a win against St Patrick (79-70). Through 29 games played Villa is led by Sean McIntyre (12.8 ppg) and Ben Zalla (12.3 ppg). 1st Round District game: vs. Ludlow (Feb. 19) Previous Ranking: 16 



17. Ludlow (6-20) – Ludlow lost twice last week, falling short to Augusta (62-53) and Scott (88-51). The Panthers also beat Silver Grove (68-22). Through 26 games Ludlow is led by Trey Donahue (13.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg) and Ian Vallandingham (10.3 ppg). 1st Round District game: Villa Madonna (Feb. 19). Previous Ranking: 17 



18. Dayton (6-23) - Dayton lost twice last week, falling short to Newport (81-46) and Robertson County (73-40). Also had a win against Felicity-Franklin (54-43). 1st Round District game: Bellevue (Feb.19). Through 29 games Dayton is led by Michael Marksberry (8.6 ppg.) and Julian Jimenez (10.0 ppg). Previous Ranking: 18 

 


19. Heritage Academy (5-18) – Had a successful week, beating Evangel Christian (59-55) and Covington Latin (69-50) but losing to Portland Christian (81-49). 1st Round District game: vs. Conner (Feb.19). Through 23 games Heritage is led by Jacob Chalk (12.4 ppg). Previous Ranking: 19

Top Ten Players to Watch in the Post-Season

1). C.J. Fredrick (Covington Catholic)- The Iowa commit has his team on a 14-game winning streak. Fredrick is averaging 22.8 ppg, and many consider him one of the best players in the state.

2) Adam Kunkel (Cooper High School)- The senior guard has his team on a seven-game winning streak. The Belmont commit is averaging 21.0 ppg and 7.6 rpg.

3) Jake Walter (Covington Catholic) - The Xavier commit is considered one of the best centers in the state of Kentucky. The senior center is averaging 12.0 ppg.

4) MeKell Burries (Newport High School) - The senior guard has led Newport to a five-game winning streak entering the tournament. The Pikeville commit is averaging 21.9 ppg.

5) Brennan Hall (Newport Central Catholic)- The senior guard is averaging 21.9 ppg and has one of the biggest first-round district games in the 9th Region, as the ‘Breds meet Highlands in Ft. Thomas.

6) Ethan Haynes (Boone County High School) - The senior guard is averaging 18.0 ppg for the Rebels, who are attempting to earn a trip to the regionals.

7) Aiden Ruthsatz (Covington Catholic) – The senior guard committed to Division II powerhouse Christian Brothers. He has led Covington Catholic to a 14-game winning streak and is averaging 14.6 ppg.

8) Scotty Draud (Beechwood High School) – Draud is considered one of the top freshmen in the state. He is averaging 20.9 ppg, and Beechwood faces one of the toughest first-round district games in the state as the Tigers play CovCath.

9) Raymond Rodgers (Boone County High School) - The senior is having a great year, averaging 16.0 ppg.

10) Vince Rankin (Ryle High School) - The junior guard/forward is having a great year, averaging 18.6 ppg and 8.4 rpg.

Thanks MidwestUnited for doing the rankings this season. I know everyone had their opinions but I thought your rankings were very accurate through the season.

Thanks MidwestUnited for doing the rankings this season. I know everyone had their opinions but I thought your rankings were very accurate through the season.

Thanks for the kind words! It's been fun!

14-14 record and you're a prohibitive favorite to win your district. Sums up the 9th region this year.

Everyone else has a losing record!

14-14 record and you're a prohibitive favorite to win your district. Sums up the 9th region this year.

That’s probably the easiest district in the state. Combine St Henry Ludlow Lloyd and Villas enrollment and it would match Dixie’s enrollment. St Henry is going to be tuff in the near future. Lloyd is a year to year thing. Villa and Ludlow just doesn’t have the consistent enrollment of athletes. Dixie will win it and lose first regional game.

That’s probably the easiest district in the state. Combine St Henry Ludlow Lloyd and Villas enrollment and it would match Dixie’s enrollment. St Henry is going to be tuff in the near future. Lloyd is a year to year thing. Villa and Ludlow just doesn’t have the consistent enrollment of athletes. Dixie will win it and lose first regional game.

Dixie could beat NewCath or Newport in the regional first round. One of those two will probably be district runner-up unless Highlands can knock off NewCath and advance to the championship.

14-14 record and you're a prohibitive favorite to win your district. Sums up the 9th region this year.

It does! CovCath and Cooper are the only teams with a chance. The rest are playing for third place. Just hope CovCath and Cooper are in opposite brackets for the championship game's sake. If it's CovCath or Cooper vs. Dixie in the championship game, it will be the smallest attendance ever in the Bank of Kentucky arena.

Dixie could beat NewCath or Newport in the regional first round. One of those two will probably be district runner-up unless Highlands can knock off NewCath and advance to the championship.

Anything could happen. We shall see.

Highlands playing at home could help their chances of pulling of an upset of NCC. IF they can keep Hall in check and not let Posey go off like he did in their first meeting they have a shot. Sisson can play and I expect a big game from him.

Highlands playing at home could help their chances of pulling of an upset of NCC. IF they can keep Hall in check and not let Posey go off like he did in their first meeting they have a shot. Sisson can play and I expect a big game from him.

I think Highlands has a shot to win the NewCath game. They need to put two players on Hall and make him give up the ball to another player! I also think Bellevue could pull off a shocker against Newport! Bellevue is playing really good right now! I still have NewCath winning the district!

I think Highlands has a shot to win the NewCath game. They need to put two players on Hall and make him give up the ball to another player! I also think Bellevue could pull off a shocker against Newport! Bellevue is playing really good right now! I still have NewCath winning the district!

NCC i hear will be shorthanded a player as well so it could be interesting.

Word is that highlands will be clearing the gym after the 6pm and start selling tickets for the 8:15 @7pm. Only way to give 2nd game fans a chance to get in.

I think the 44th district could give it a run for the easiest district in the state. Madison Central, Berea, Model, and Madison Southern.

A little love for Ryle's Vince Rankin by the O.P.! :up: