Each week I will be doing a top 10 teams list. This is purely my opinion and simply put out there to try and get some chatter going about the teams, leading up to key games throughout the week.

 

1. Newport Catholic (2-0)

Why: The Breds opened the season with a blowout win over Ludlow and withstood a 32 point performance by #1 player Brandon Hatton on the road at Dixie, winning 65-63. Breds will take on #3 Cooper Tues 12/4.

 

2. Holmes (3-0)

Why: The Dogs opened up the season with a 7 point win over an underrated Newport squad on the road while also winning by 24 against LLoyd and 16 against Oak Hills, OH. Holmes will play Pendleton Co at home Tues 12/4, At Walton thurs 12/8, and Lincoln Co Sat 12/8 at Bourbon Co.

 

3. Cooper (1-0)

Why: The Jags defeated Walton by 12, despite being short handed due to the football team playing for a state championship. Check back after Tues when the Jags play Newcath. Think they are top 3, but not ahead of either of the above, due to not having their full team as long as the other two.

 

4. Covcath (2-0)

Why: Convincing wins over a young Clark County team and a neutral site win by 19 over an always athletic Cincinnati Taft, OH team make this a pretty easy selection. Ruthsatz is playing very well through first two games. Colonels travel to St Henry Tues 12/4, host Pendleton Co Fri 12/7, and play Cincy Moeller Sat 12/8.

 

5. Holy Cross (Have not played yet)

Why: The Indians haven't played yet but with conflicting reports as to who won the Dixie-Newport game, I slid the Indians in here. They will open their season Tuesday night against a tough Newport team and travel to Cooper Fri 12/7.

 

6. Conner (1-0)

Why: Cougars opened their season with a 31 point win over Ludlow. They get a tough test Tuesday night when they host Simon Kenton. They will play a big district game Fri 12/7 against Boone Co.

 

7. Dixie Heights (1-2)

Why: Colonels gave #1 Newcath all they wanted and lost by just 2 behind 32 pts from Brandon Hatton. Beat Villa Madonna by 20+ but had a setback when they lost to Newport by 8. (According to khsaa site) Colonels will travel to Campbell Co Fri 12/8.

 

8. Ryle (2-0)

Why: The Raiders have been the surprise through the first week with a 15 point win over Scott and a 16 pt win over St Henry. Raiders travel to Boone Co Tues 12/4 in a big district seeding game and will travel across the river to Colerain Wed 12/5.

 

9. Newport (1-1)

Why: The Wildcats lost to #2 Holmes but upset #7 Dixie by 8. Talent wise, this team will be a problem for a lot of the 9th region. Biggest question is consistency. Newport hosts #5 Holy Cross Tuesday 12/4.

 

10. Highlands (0-0)

Why: I put the Birds here but simply because they haven't played yet, therefore I really don't have much reason to not have them here, especially considering what they return from last year. You could put St Henry or Boone here and not be wrong. Highlands opens up with St Henry Fri 12/7 and will turn around and take in Bellevue the next night in a 36th district battle.

 

Thoughts?

 

4. Covcath (2-0)

Ruthsatz is playing very well through fiesta two games.

 

 

In addition to wearing shorter shorts he wears a sombrero.

In addition to wearing shorter shorts he wears a sombrero.

 

Thought you'd like that.... Edited the post to read "first." Smart phone does what it wants when Walter is in a hurry to type something.

The Enquirer site and nkyfan both reported that Dixie beat Newport by 8.

The Enquirer site and nkyfan both reported that Dixie beat Newport by 8.

 

Trust me, I was at the game to see the Dixie win. Perhaps the KHSAA site is on a siesta.

Too early for rankings with some teams not playing a game yet. Dixie beat Newport.

I agree, too early, but just trying to get some talk going in to week 2.

 

With Dixie beating Newport, I'd put them at 5, Holy Cross at 6, Conner 7, Ryle 8, Newport 9.

Sour Grapes Alert: If you ask me (I realize that nobody did) Dixie and Newport were pretty evenly matched. The only difference that I witnessed was a succession of terrible 2nd quarter calls against the Wildcats that allowed the Colonels to gain a 7 point lead going into half time, essentially accounting for the final disparity. I realize that Coach Snapp appears to be a maniac pacing the sidelines, but trust me I felt his pain while being strangulated and smothered by a constant stretch of bad calls, that all he could do was throw up his hands and giggle with disbelief. I have to hand it to him because no matter how emotional he can get, he displayed great control when it was obvious that he was so close to the edge of demonstrating his namesake, and going all ape crazy over the officials. I realize that it's not popular to blame the refs, but all I can do is call it like I see it. I'll admit that this is the only time all day that I saw this type of lopsidedness, and in the refs' favor I will add that they did a fine job of defusing some testy moments on the floor that appeared to be inches away from getting ugly.

So Cooper was the only team not at full strength?

Great job as awlays Walter.

 

Be sure to look for the other regions top teams and games of the week coming out this week.

I would say that these teams will be slow out of the gate in December.

 

Highlands and Cooper specifically. Highlands is just now getting 5 of their Top 10 players back in the rotation. These guys have not picked up a basketball or run sprints on the hardwood since early June.

 

The record in December will not be reflective of how the Birds will be this year. Its a great chance for some role players to get good experience.

 

With Cooper, I would expect it to take a few weeks for Collins, Morgan and Shelton to get their basketball legs as well.

I will like to see how Cooper is playing by the Lloyd tourney at the end of December.

Good job Walter.