Weather once again reared its' ugly head this week as teams had to deal with some cancellations, but there were still enough games played to affect this weeks' rankings. Who made moves in the rankings? Which players stood out?

 

As usual, we go inside the 9th region and recap the previous week's games

 

9th Region Top 10

 

1. Newport Central Catholic (22-3)

 

Why: Newcath won their only game this week.

 

Newcath 64 Bishop Brossart 44

Coming off an MVP performance at the All A State Tournament, Zack Pangallo continued his solid play with a team high 20 points to go along with 8 assists against the Mustangs. Drew McDonald tallied 19 points in the win, while sophomore Ben Weyer was also in double figures with 11 points.

 

Overall: Newcath got a much needed rest after their All A state championship run, but continued their Northern Kentucky dominance with a rout over rival Bishop Brossart. The key lately for the Breds has been the elite point guard play of junior Zack Pangallo. If he can sustain that level of play over the next few weeks, Newcath is going to be extremely tough to beat. Drew McDonald has continued his solid all around play at both ends, as has Ben Weyer and Jake Schulte down low. This is a team that has the weapons to beat you in multiple ways. While Newcath has now won 15 straight, they haven't really been tested during that streak outside of games against Knott County Central and Cordia. They will have a chance to make a statement this Friday night.

 

Up Next: 2/12 v Bellevue; 2/14 v Holmes at NKU's Bank of Kentucky Center

 

2. Covington Catholic (20-1)

 

Why: Covcath won their only game of the week.

 

Covcath 90 Holy Cross 59

It was all Colonels as they rolled district rival Holy Cross. In the Colonels highest scoring output of the season, Nick Ruthsatz scored a game-high 24 points to go with four steals and three assists, and Cole Vonhandorf went for 14 points, 5 rebounds in the win for CovCath. Bo Schuh added eight points and 15 rebounds as 13 players scored for the Colonels. Ben Heppler was the other Colonel in double figures with 11 points.

 

Overall: It was business as usual for the Colonels this week as they continued their dominance over Northern Kentucky competition. Nick Ruthsatz inched closer to the all time Covcath scoring record with 24 points in the win over Holy Cross, but it was the play of Bo Schuh that was somewhat surprising as he pulled down 15 rebounds. This team has enough scoring options that he doesn't need to try to get in to the mid teens every night. If he rebounds at a high level like that every game, his scoring will come. VonHandorf continues to prove himself as one of the best freshman in Northern Kentucky and his confidence level continues to grow with each game. This is a very confidant team right now. At the high school level, confidence is the most dangerous weapon a player can possess.

 

Up Next: 2/10 at Conner, 2/11 at Cooper, 2/14 v Dixie Heights at NKU's Bank of Kentucky Center, 2/15 at Cincinnati Moeller, OH

 

3. Holmes (19-4)

 

Why: The Bulldogs went 1-1 this week.

 

Holmes 63 Highlands 52

While the margin of victory is a little surprising, the Bulldogs went on the road and picked up a win against a physical, tough Highlands team. Holmes was led by James Bolden, who had 18 points but it was Marcus Hill's 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks that gave Holmes the spark needed to pull away. Armani Housely was also in double figures with 11 points. Quinton Chames finished with 8 points, 8 rebounds.

 

Madison Central 81 Holmes 80

Playing on the road for the second consecutive day, the Bulldogs were defeated on a near half court shot at the buzzer after getting down by 10 an battling back to take the lead with under a minute to play. Holmes had a chance to seal the win with 5 seconds left but missed the free throws to put the game out of reach. Holmes was led by James Bolden with 36 points and Markel McClendon with 14 points. Marcus Hill totaled 12 points in the loss.

 

Overall: After winning 9 consecutive games, the Bulldogs winning streak finally came to an end on the road. While it was a tough loss to swallow for both the coaches and players, it is better for them to lose now and get them focused with the postseason right around the corner. James Bolden continues to lead this team with Markel McClendon helping take pressure off him by running the point and providing a consistent second scoring threat. The play of Quinton Chames will have to improve over the final weeks as he hasn't been himself lately. Marcus Hill's play has helped counter that lack of production, however, as he has been tough to handle at both ends for teams lately. The Bulldogs will have a chance to redeem themselves this week.

 

Up Next: 2/11 v Boone Co, 2/14 v Newport Catholic at NKU's Bank of Kentucky Center

 

4. Dixie Heights (17-6)

 

Why: The Colonels went 2-0 this week, improving their win streak to 11 games.

 

Dixie Heights 69 Bullitt East 62 (Overtime)

Brandon Hatton led the Colonels with a game high 26 points. Senior Adam Daria hit the game tying shot to send the game to overtime, then had 4 points in the extra session, finishing with 14 points in the win.

 

Dixie Heights 80 Holy Cross 67

Brandon Hatton finished with 25 points, breaking the 9th region all time scoring record on a free throw. It was the play of Adam Daria, however, that helped weather a hot Holy Cross 3 point shooting effort. Daria finished with 27 points to lead the Colonels, followed by 10 apiece from Liam Rabe and Nick Niehaus.

 

Overall: Dixie had quietly become one of the hottest teams in the region with an 11 game win streak. The Colonels are obviously getting big performances from Brandon Hatton every night, but it is the consistent play from Liam Rabe, Nick Niehaus, and Adam Daria that has helped take pressure off of Hatton when it comes to scoring. Drew Moore and Austin Schreck (currently injured) have also found their roles on the defensive end. Don't count Dixie out from upsetting one of the teams ahead of them. They are playing very good team ball right now at both ends.

 

Up Next: 2/10 v Villa Madonna, 2/12 at George Rogers Clark, 2/14 v Covington Catholic at NKU's Bank of Kentucky Center

 

5. Cooper (12-8)

 

Why: Cooper went 2-0 this week.

 

Cooper 60 St Henry 56

Colin Hathorn led the way for Cooper with 17 points, while freshman guard Sean McNeil added 11 points. Seniors Spencer Holland and Zack McNeil added another 10 apiece for the Jags in a balanced scoring effort.

 

Cooper 47 Boone County 40

Cooper was led by senior Zach McNeil's 22 points, followed by 9 apiece from brother Sean McNeil and Spencer Holland.

 

Overall: Cooper is the most talented team in the 33rd district top to bottom. They have arguably the best scorer in Zach McNeil, a tough all around player in Spencer Holland, a bruising forward in Colin Hathorn, and a rising star in Sean McNeil. When players such as Phillip Hawkins and Jon Liechty are playing well to compliment those players, Cooper is a tough team to handle due to their defensive play. With Sean McNeil back and playing like he was to start the season, that takes pressure off of Holland and Z. McNeil and gives the Jags a legit 3rd scoring option. Cooper is a team, much like Dixie, that teams will really have problems with when the post season gets here. They will have an opportunity to really prove themselves this week.

 

Up Next: 2/11 v Covcath, 2/14 v Boone Co

 

6. St Henry (12-8)

 

Why: The Crusaders lost their only game this week.

 

Cooper 60 St Henry 56

St Henry got a balanced scoring attack but it wasn't enough as free throws late by Cooper sunk them. The Cru was led by Jake Plummer's 14 points, followed by 13 from sophomore Adam Goets. Conner Kunstek and Jordan Noble both finished with 9 points, respectively.

 

Overall: Despite the loss to Cooper, this is still a good St Henry squad. They continue to great balance across the board, making it tough for teams to key on one or two weapons. This is why you see a different player leading them in scoring each week. St Henry will continue to get better as the season winds down but will have to get more bench production if they want to legitimately contend with the top 4 teams in the region.

 

7. Boone County (14-8)

 

Why: The Rebels went 1-1 this week.

 

Boone Co 77 Ryle 68

The Rebels were led by Brenden Stanley, who had a career high 38 points, which was good enough to tie the single best scoring output in Northern Kentucky this season. Stephen Nash was the only other Rebel in double figures, with 10 points, but the Rebels did get solid contributions from Brannen McDonald (8 pts) and Brett Mayberry (7 pts) in the season sweep of Ryle.

 

Cooper 47 Boone Co 40

Boone was once again led by Brenden Stanley, who finished with 20 points, 9 rebounds in the loss. Brett Mayberry and Junior Stockwell also had solid contributions of 8 points, apiece in teh loss.

 

Overall: Brenden Stanley has really stepped up his play lately, averaging 29 ppg this week with a career high of 38. The junior has always been able to score but if he gets aggressive and plays like he did against Ryle every game, Boone becomes much tougher to defend as him attacking the rim will open up things for the rest of the team. Still, Stanley can only do so much and the Rebels will have to get consistent play from other players if they are going to make a run in the 33rd district and get back to the region tournament.

 

8. Highlands (6-11)

 

Why: The Birds went 1-1 this week.

 

Holmes 63 Highlands 52

Brendan Buten led the Birds with 12 pts and 3 ast in a losing effort. While Buten was the only player in double figures for Highlands, Parker Harris (8 pts) and Drew Houliston (6 pts, 5 rbs) also had solid games.

 

Highlands 60 Ryle 56 (Double OT)

Brandon Hergott had 19 points and Drew Houliston finished with 15 points in the upset of the Raiders.

 

Overall: Coach Listerman has his team playing very well right now with wins over Conner and Ryle in the past week to go along with a good showing against #3 Holmes. Brendan Buten played well against Holmes. The small point guard used his quickness to open up looks for his teammates and made good decisions while being pressured. The Birds enter the rankings at #8 and are playing like a top 10 team now that they are getting healthy and more comfortable with what Coach Listerman wants to do.

 

Up Next: 2/11 v Holy Cross, 2/14 v Lloyd

 

9. Ryle (7-11)

 

Why: Ryle went 0-2 this week and have now lost 5 straight.

 

Boone Co 77 Ryle 68

Ryle got 32 points from Tanner White, but it wouldn't be enough as the Raiders dropped their second game to Boone this year. Will Stuhr was also in double figures with 18 points, while Josh Bellew tallied 9 points.

 

Highlands 60 Ryle 56 (Double Overtime)

Will Stuhr led the Raiders with 32 points.

 

Overall: After climbing up to #6 in the rankings, the Raiders have now los 5 straight and seem to be losing some steam with the district tournament right around the corner. One constant has been the high level play of Will Stuhr and Tanner White. Those two form one of the best scoring guard/big man tandems in the region. The lack of a consistent 3rd scorer is what hurts this team. They consistently get solid production out of a 3rd player, but you never who that is going to be. Point guard play is the key for Ryle. They are at their best when sophomore Tyrek Owens takes care of the ball and manages the team. Coach McFarland's team will have an opportunity to work on things this coming week.

 

Up Next: 2/11 at Scott, 2/14 at Ludlow

 

10. Conner (8-10)

 

Why: The Cougars went 1-1 this week.

 

Conner 73 Lloyd 44

Sam Hemmerich scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Cougars, while Landon Lamblez and Nic Watts each scored 13. Sophomore Alec Garnett added 10 for Conner as the 4th double figure scorer.

 

Scott 87 Conner 72

Conner was led by Sam Hemmerich's 27 points as well as 14 points apiece from Nic Watts and Andrew Way.

 

Overall: Conner stays in the top 10, despite the bad loss to Scott, for the simple fact that they have better wins than Newport. Sam Hemmerich had a big week, averaging 22 ppg but it is the consistent play from Nic Watts that stands out most to me. Watts is athletically gifted as any other player in the region but doesn't seem to play aggressive enough for him to showcase his skillset. If the Cougars can get solid production from him and Andrew Way, along with consistent play from Landon Lamblez, Conner could make a run in the 33rd district tournament.

 

Up Next: 2/10 v Covcath, 2/11 v Walton Verona, 2/13 v Grant Co

Nice write up, Walter.