article 9th Region Tournament Preview

Where: BBT Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University

When: 2/28, 3/1, 3/3 and 3/5 ( Championship)

Team Rankings:

1) Covington Catholic- Has a 16 game winning streak. Is consider one of the top teams in the state.

2) Cooper- Adam Kunkel will try to lead Cooper to back to back Regional Championship as they host Newport Central Catholic in the first round.

3) Newport- Won their district for the first time in many years. Has a big first round game against Holy Cross.

4) Newport Central Catholic Has a big first round game against Cooper. First time they lost their district tournament in several years.

5))Holy Cross- The rollercoaster season continues as they play for former faculty/parent/teacher in Clay Eilfert.

6)Dixie- The rollercoaster season continues for first year coach. Dixie plays Ryle first Round

7) Ryle - Vince Rankin,the junior guard/forward is averaging 18.6 ppg and 8.4 rpg.

8) St Henry - Has one of the hardest first round games in the 9th Region

First Round Games

Newport (24-6) vs. Holy Cross (12-16) 2/28/2018 7:00pm

Dixie Heights (16-14) vs. Ryle (11-19) 2/28/2018 8:30 pm

Cooper (24-5) vs. Newport Central Catholic (16-12) 3/1/2018 7:00 pm

Covington Catholic (28-4) vs. St. Henry (12-16) 3/1/2018 8:30 pm

Players to Watch:

C.J. Fredrick (Covington Catholic)- The Iowa commit has his team on a 16-game winning streak. Fredrick is averaging 22.8 ppg, and many consider him one of the best players in the state.

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

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.

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

Brennan Hall (Newport Central Catholic)- The senior guard is averaging 21.9 ppg and has one of the biggest first-round regional games, as the ‘Breds meet Cooper.

Aiden Ruthsatz (Covington Catholic) – The senior guard committed to Division II powerhouse Christian Brothers. He has led Covington Catholic to a 16-game winning streak and is averaging 14.6 ppg.

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