Despite the weather being an issue and games being cancelled, teams were still able to get some game action in over the past week. While there won't be many changes in this week's edition of "Inside 9th Region Hoops," we take a look at the action from this past week with the 9th region top 10.

 

1. Covington Catholic (16-1)

 

Why: The Colonels went 2-0 this week with wins over Cincinnati teams.

 

Covcath 63 Cincinnati St Xavier 60 (overtime)

While this score was probably a little closer than some might have expected, the Colonels were able to pull out a win at Fairfield behind 26 points, 5 rebounds from senior Nick Ruthsatz. Mark Schult (13 pts, 6 rbs) and Cole VonHandorf (11 pts) were the other Colonels in double figures for Covcath in the win.

 

Covcath 75 Cincinnati Summit Country Day 54

Behind 21 points and 8 rebounds from Nick Ruthsatz, the Colonels improved to 16-1. Freshman Cole Vonhandorf had his second double figure scoring game of the week with 15 points, while Ben Heppler tallied 11 points, 5 rebounds for Covcath in the win.

 

Overall: The Colonels continue to win, leaving them with the #1 ranking in the region. Mark Schult has turned in to an every night double figure scorer for the Colonels, making him one of the most underrated players in the region with a little over a month of basketball left to play. Covcath will need that type of contribution from both him, Ben Heppler, and Cole VonHandorf if they are going to try to run the table in 9th region play heading in to the district tournament. Nick Ruthsatz has been solid all year long and nothing has changed since the last edition of "Inside 9th Region Hoops." The biggest question for the Colonels is can they get Bo Schuh to consistently play at a high level that he has the potential to do on a nightly basis.

 

Up Next: 1/28 v Boone Co ; 2/1 at Ryle (NKYSports.Com Live Broadcast Game of the Week)

 

1B. Newport Central Catholic (16-3)

 

Why: The Breds went 4-0 this week, winning the 9th Region All A Classic to run their win streak to 9 games.

 

Newcath 82 Bellevue 24

While Drew McDonald was the only Breds player to reach double figures (19 pts), thirteen different Newcath players got their name in the box score in a dominant win that was expected.

 

Newcath 79 Ludlow 39

In a game where Newcath junior Drew McDonald scored his 1,000 point of his career, he also led his team once again with 19 points. Tanner Moeves poured in 16 points in the win, while 10 other Newcath players got their name in the box score.

 

Newcath 83 St Henry 67

Only four Newcath players scored, but that would be enough for the Breds to advance to the 9th reigon All A finals. Newcath was led by Drew McDonald (26 pts), Tanner Moeves (23 pts), Jake Schulte (18 pts), and Zack Pangallo (11 pts).

 

Newcath 67 Newport 40

Another All A Finals appearance, another All A Championship trophy heading up the hill to Newcath. The Breds got off to a slow start but used a dominant second half performance to put the Wildcats away, led by 24 points from tournament MVP Tanner Moeves. Jake Schulte had a double double (13 pts, 11 rbs) as the only other Newcath player in double figures but the Breds did get solid contributions from Drew McDonald and Zack Pangallo with 7 points, apiece.

 

Overall:

Newcath maintains the #1 ranking in the region after dominating the All A Classic at Dayton this week, as expected. Tanner Moeves play was elevated to another level in the semi final and finals of the All A Classic and he looked like the best player on the team. With him playing like that, Newcath will be tough to beat as the inside duo of Drew McDonald and Jake Schulte have really opened things up for Moeves as the season has progressed. His outside shooting and defense on the opposition's best player make him a candidate for MVP every night out for the Breds. At 11-0 in the region and it looking like the game against Covcath will not be made up, don't expect there to be much change in their ranking over the next couple weeks. As long as this team stays healthy, they are going to be tough to beat.

 

Up Next: 1/28 v Highlands (NKYSports.com Live Broadcast), 1/30 v Owensboro Catholic (All A Classic State Tournament)

 

3. Holmes (15-3)

 

Why: Holmes played just one game this week but picked up a win over one of the better 10th region teams.

 

Holmes 70 Mason Co 53

It was one of the more balanced performances by the Bulldogs as they knocked off a good Mason County team by 17 points. Sophomore Markel McClendon led the way with 18 pts, while Marcus Hill (14 pts, 9 rbs), James Bolden (13 pts), and Armani Housely (11 pts) also reached double figures in scoring. Quinton Chames and Armani Housely rounded out the Bulldogs scoring with 8 and 6 points, respectively.

 

Overall: The Bulldogs have now won 5 consecutive games since the Covcath loss but it has been their defense that has been the most impressive part of their play recently. They have held their opponents to 48.4 ppg since that loss and also have gotten much better balance. With James Bolden getting others involved and the play of both Marcus Hill and Markel McClendon elevating, Holmes looks like they are hitting their stride heading in to a tough late season stretch. The play of Armani Housely and Daequan Glover continue to be the X factor, however. When those two play well, Holmes is very tough to beat. That was evident in the game against Mason County when the duo combined for 17 points, with Glover pulling down 6 rebounds.

 

Up Next: 1/28 v Ryle, 1/31 at Beechwood

 

4. Dixie Heights (12-6)

 

Why: The Colonels didn't play this week due to inclement weather cancelling their games in the Toyota Classic at Scott County

 

Up Next: 1/28 v Lloyd, 1/31 v Simon Kenton, 2/1 v Newport

 

5. St Henry (11-7)

 

Why: The Crusaders went 2-1 this week, advancing to the semi finals of the All A region tournament.

 

St Henry 73 Villa Madonna 32

Conner Kunstek and Jordan Noble led the Crusaders with 16 and 13 points.

 

St Henry 70 Lloyd 36

Jordan Noble (17 pts), Nick Rechtin (14 pts), and Jake Plummer (10 pts) all finished in double figures for the Cru in the win. Sophomore Paul Wallenhorst contributed 8 points in the win.

 

Newcath 83 St Henry 67

St Henry got solid contributions from Jake Plummer (19 pts), Jordan Noble (18 pts), and Nick Rechtin (15 pts), but that wasn't enough as they couldn't overcome the size and talent of Newcath.

 

Overall:

Despite the 16 point loss to Newcath, they showed during that game that they are still a very solid team, having the deficit down to 6 points in the second half. Jordan Noble's consistent play has been a constant for the Cru this year but it is the play of Nick Rechtin that can really take the Crusaders to another level. This team has a good starting 5 and as the depth improves throughout the last month, could pull an upset or two along the way.

 

Up Next: 1/31 at Lloyd

 

6. Cooper (9-7)

 

Why: The Jags didn't play this week due to inclement weather.

 

Up Next: 1/28 v Ryle, 1/31 v Conner

 

 

7. Boone County (13-4)

 

Why: The Rebels didn't play this week due to inclement weather.

 

Up Next: 1/28 at Covcath, 1/31 at Conner, 2/1 v Simon Kenton

 

8. Ryle (7-6)

 

Why: The Raiders move up in the rankings this week with a solid win in their only game.

 

Ryle 73 Conner 69

Ryle was led by the trio of Will Stuhr (28 pts, 13 rbs), Tanner White (22 pts, 5 ast), and Jake Puthoff (15 pts).

 

Overall: Ryle was very impressive in their win over Conner. The Cougars have struggled lately, but when that trio plays at that level, they are going to be tough to beat inside the 33rd district. We should know more about Ryle this week. They very easily could have been ranked as high as #6, already owning a win over Cooper.

 

Up Next: 1/28 at Holmes, 1/31 at Cooper, 2/1 v Covcath (NKYSports.com Live Broadcast Game of the Week)

 

9. Newport (11-6)

 

Why: The Wildcats went 3-1 this week, advancing to the 9th Region All A Finals.

 

Newport 78 Cov Latin 14

Paul Price (19 pts), Ethan Snapp (17 pts), and Ryan Ochoa (11 pts) all reached double figures to lead the Wildcats. Sophomore Kam Covington had a game high 8 rebounds in the blow out win.

 

Newport 87 Holy Cross 79

It was a very balanced performance by the Wildcats as Ethan Snapp (22 pts), Paul Price (21 pts, 6 rbs), Mike Turner (18 pts, 6 rbs), and Ryan Ochoa (13 pts) all contributed double figure scroring performances. Sophomore Kam Covington once again had a solid showing with 6 pts, 6 rbs.

 

Newport 78 Beechwood 65

It was the usual suspects once again as Newport put 4 players in double figures. Ethan Snapp led the way with 27 points, while Paul Price (18 pts, 7 rbs), Michael Turner (15 pts, 7 rbs), and Dom Joseph (10 pts) also got in double figures. Kam Covington once again had a game high 8 rebounds.

 

Newcath 67 Newport 40

While Newport had balance across the board with their scoring, Paul Price was the only Wildcat to reach double figures with 10 points. Ethan Snapp totaled 8 points in the loss.

 

Overall:

Newport cleared up that they are second best "small school" in NKY this week but also showed they simply don't have the talent to compete with a team like Newcath for 4 quarters. Still, this is a good team and that's why they stay at #9 in the rankings. Newport is one big man away from being a top 5-6 team in the region. They have good guard play but lack size to rebound against teams that can match their athleticism.

 

10. Conner (5-8)

 

Why: The Cougars lost their only game this week.

 

Ryle 73 Conner 59

 

Overall: Conner remains at #10 in this week's rankings. The Cougars looked better in their game against Ryle but are still lacking the athleticism needed to pressure teams at both ends. Sam Hemmerich is still one of the most underrated players in the region. He is able to score at all three levels and finish but a lack of outside shooting hurts what the Cougars can do at that end of the floor. Defensively, they get after it and play a physical brand of basketball.

 

Up Next: 1/28 at Cooper, 1/31 v Boone Co, 2/1 v Highlands

Thank you for the hard work, :thumb:

 

Walter Cin St. X is starting to turn it around, as on Friday of last week, Cincinnati St. X took a 8 points lead into the 4th quarter Vs. #1 Cincinnati Moeller but lost the game in the last two minute of the game at Moeller.

 

Also Fairfield beat formerly undefeated Middletown who was ranked #3 in the Cincinnati Big school polls!

Good stuff Walter, but you don't have to sandbag on Holmes. I think they are up there with NCC and Cov Cath.

Good stuff Walter, but you don't have to sandbag on Holmes. I think they are up there with NCC and Cov Cath.

 

Trust me, I know how good Holmes is.

 

I think Ennam is way off in his opinion that Holmes is closer to Dixie than they are Covcath and Newcath. People will find this out very soon.