The regular season concluded this past week end and we have finally reached the portion of the season that all teams have been working toward since October 15th. In this edition of "Inside 9th Region Hoops" we preview each district tournament, give out final regular season awards, and conclude with our final rankings of every team in Northern Kentucky. Let's get it!

 

33rd District Preview

 

Location:

Ryle

 

Schedule:

2/24: Heritage at Ryle

2/26 Semi Finals: Heritage/Ryle Winner v Boone County

2/26 Semi Finals: Cooper v Conner

2/28 Finals: Heritage/Ryle/Boone Co winner v Cooper/Conner winner

 

The Favorite: This is probably the toughest district to predict in the 9th region. Boone County comes in to the tournament with the best record at 16-10 and the #1 seed, but split with Cooper (13-11, 4-3) and Conner (10-13, 3-4) during the regular season. The Rebels lost 7 of their final 10 games, while Cooper went 5-5 over their final 10 games. At this point, any of the above 3 could win the district and it wouldn't surprise me, but Ryle has also played good basketball as well lately, coming in to the district with a 4 game winning streak.

 

Overall: Ryle (11-11, 2-4) is playing the best basketball right now, having won 4 consecutive games against Scott, St Henry, Campbell County, and Tates Creek. Talent wise, Cooper is the most talented team in the district 1 through 5. Ryle and Boone County have the two best scorers in the district in Tanner White and Brendan Stanley, but Stanley struggled to get going down the stretch with several games in single digits. Conner played both Holmes and Newcath tough, losing on a tip in to Holmes at the buzzer this past week, while being down just 4 at the half to Newcath in a 19 point loss. After what we saw from Cooper and Conner last year in the semi finals, I wouldn't expect anything less than another battle with the right to move on to the region tournament at stake. Ryle, on the other hand, likely will have to beat a team that has already beaten them twice to get to the finals.

 

Predictions:

Ryle over Heritage

 

Semi Finals:

Cooper over Conner

Ryle over Boone Co

 

Finals:

Cooper over Ryle

 

33rd District MVP- Zach McNeil (Cooper)

 

34th District Tournament Preview

 

Location:

St Henry

 

Schedule:

Quarterfinals (7:45)

2/25: Lloyd (5-23) v Villa Madonna (5-19)

 

2/27 Semi Finals (6:00 and 7:45)

Lloyd/Villa Madonna winner v Dixie Heights (21-7)

St Henry (13-9) v Ludlow (16-10)

 

2/28 Finals 8:00

Lloyd/Villa Madonna/Dixie Heights winner v St Henry/Ludlow winner

 

The Favorite: Dixie Heights comes in as the favorite to repeat as district champs. The Colonels are not only the hottest team in the district, but also one of the hottest teams in the region, having won 15 of their final 16 regular season games. The Colonels took care of business during district play with a 4-0 record, winning by an average of 28.25 ppg, including a 13 point win over St Henry and 18 point win over Ludlow.

 

Overall: If anyone is going to dethrone the Colonels as district champions, it would be St Henry. The Crusaders will not only be playing on their home floor, but also went 5-1 against the other district opponents with the one loss coming to Dixie. Regardless, it is going to take a valiant effort for St Henry to pull the upset. They come in to the district tournament having lost 3 of their final 5 games.

 

Predictions:

Lloyd over Villa Madonna

 

Semi Finals:

Dixie Heights over Lloyd

St Henry over Ludlow

 

Finals:

Dixie Heights over St Henry

 

34th District MVP- Brandon Hatton (Dixie Heights)

 

35th District Preview

 

Location:

NKU Bank of Kentucky Center

 

Schedule:

2/24 7:30 at Covington Catholic

Holy Cross (6-18) v Covington Latin (3-18)

 

2/26 Semi Finals

6:00 Holy Cross/Covington Latin Winner v Covington Catholic (25-1)

7:30 Beechwood (11-15) v Holmes (24-5)

 

3/1 Finals:

7:30 Holy Cross/Covington Latin/Covington Catholic winner v Beechwood/Holmes Winner

 

The Favorite:

Covington Catholic comes in to the district tournament with just 1 loss and have already beaten the 2 seed Holmes Bulldogs on their home floor back on January 7th, 87-77. While that seems like a long time ago, Covcath has been much more consistent down the stretch consistently beating teams by double digits, while Holmes struggled to beat Harrison County by 5 and Conner on a last second tip in. Much of that had to do with them getting no practice time. They did look much better in their blow out wins over Clark County and Ludlow. Still there's a reason the Colonels have just 1 loss on the season.

 

Predictions:

Holy Cross over Cov Latin

 

Semi Finals:

Holmes over Beechwood

Covcath over Holy Cross

 

Finals:

Holmes over Covcath (Slight Upset)

 

35th District MVP- James Bolden (Holmes)

 

36th District Preview

 

Location:

Newport Central Catholic

 

Schedule:

2/24 7:45

Bellevue (15-11) V Dayton (7-17)

 

2/26 Semi Finals

6:00 Newport (15-10) v Highlands (8-13)

7:45 Bellevue/Dayton winner v NewCath (26-3)

 

2/28 Finals:

7:00 Highlands/Newport Winner v Bellevue/Dayton/NewCath Winner

 

The Favorite:

Unlike other districts in the 9th region, this is a tournament that Newcath should absolutely roll in. The Breds are a legit top 3 team in the state and are also the overwhelming favorite to represent the 9th region at Rupp Arena as well. While some may not agree, it is my opinion that Newcath is simply on another level right now and proved it with a convincing win over Holmes and then a road win at Trinity in a 4 day span. No upset special here. Coach Dawn's squad will continue their 36th district dominance and extend their current 19 game win streak to 21 heading in to the region tournament.

 

Overall:

As stated above, Newcath will roll the competition that is put on the floor with them during the district tournament. Not only are they the most talented team in the region, but they also get the district tournament in their gym. The bigger question is who goes to the region tournament along with Newcath. Newport or Highlands? Newport beat Highlands, 65-53 on January 14th, but Highlands has improved since then with wins over Ryle and Conner. Inconsistency was also on full display by the Birds with losses to Scott and Holy Cross.

 

Predictions:

Bellevue over Dayton

 

Semi Finals:

Newport over Highlands

Newcath over Bellevue

 

Finals:

Newcath over Newport

 

36th District MVP- Drew McDonald (Newcath)

 

Final Bluegrasspreps.com 9th Region Regular Season Top 10

 

1. Newport Central Catholic (26-3)

2. Covington Catholic (25-1)

3. Holmes (24-5)

4. Dixie Heights (21-7)

5. Cooper (13-11)

6. Ryle (11-11)

7. St Henry (13-9)

8. Boone County (16-10)

9. Conner (10-13)

10. Newport (15-10)

 

Note: Don't get upset if you are a fan of teams 5-9. All of those teams are capable of beating one another on any given night.

 

Bluegrasspreps.com All 9th Region Selections

 

I have seen virtually every team in the 9th region. Listed below are my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd team selections based on regular season performances.

 

First Team:

5'11 Nick Ruthsatz (Covington Catholic)

6'0 James Bolden (Holmes)

6'2 Brandon Hatton (Dixie Heights)

6'7 Drew McDonald (Newport Central Catholic)

6'8 Jake Schulte (Newport Central Catholic)

 

2nd Team:

5'11 Zack Pangallo (Newport Central Catholic)

6'2 Brendan Stanley (Boone County)

6'2 Tanner Moeves (Newport Central Catholic)

6'5 Quinton Chames (Holmes)

6'5 Marcus Hill (Holmes)

 

3rd Team:

5'10 Markel McClendon (Holmes)

5'11 Tanner White (Ryle)

5'11 Zach McNeil (Cooper)

6'6 Bo Schuh (Covington Catholic)

6'3 Mark Schult (Covington Catholic)

 

 

Honorable Mention: Will Stuhr (Ryle), Sam Hemmerich (Conner), Landon Lamblez (Conner), Cole VonHandorf (Covcath) Ben Weyer (Newcath), Grant Moeves (Newcath), Jordan Noble (St Henry),Conner Kunstek (St Henry), Spencer Holland (Cooper), Colin Hathorn (Cooper), Ethan Snapp (Newport), Jerad Howard (Ludlow)

 

The above is not a top 15 list or how I feel the players should be ranked. After the First team selections, I really struggled with the 2nd and 3rd team selections. There are a lot of quality basketball players in the 9th region this season and a case could be made for probably 15-20 kids to fill those final 10 spots.

Very nice read. :ylsuper:

Give me numbers for Hill, Chames, and McClendon.

Bluegrasspreps.com All 9th Region Selections

 

I have seen virtually every team in the 9th region. Listed below are my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd team selections based on regular season performances.

 

First Team:

5'11 Nick Ruthsatz (Covington Catholic)

6'0 James Bolden (Holmes)

6'2 Brandon Hatton (Dixie Heights)

6'7 Drew McDonald (Newport Central Catholic)

6'8 Jake Schulte (Newport Central Catholic)

 

2nd Team:

5'11 Zack Pangallo (Newport Central Catholic)

6'2 Brendan Stanley (Boone County)

6'2 Tanner Moeves (Newport Central Catholic)

6'5 Quinton Chames (Holmes)

6'5 Marcus Hill (Holmes)

 

3rd Team:

5'10 Markel McClendon (Holmes)

5'11 Tanner White (Ryle)

5'11 Zach McNeil (Cooper)

6'6 Bo Schuh (Covington Catholic)

6'3 Mark Schult (Covington Catholic)

 

 

Honorable Mention: Will Stuhr (Ryle), Sam Hemmerich (Conner), Landon Lamblez (Conner), Cole VonHandorf (Covcath) Ben Weyer (Newcath), Grant Moeves (Newcath), Jordan Noble (St Henry),Conner Kunstek (St Henry), Spencer Holland (Cooper), Colin Hathorn (Cooper), Ethan Snapp (Newport), Jerad Howard (Ludlow)

 

The above is not a top 15 list or how I feel the players should be ranked. After the First team selections, I really struggled with the 2nd and 3rd team selections. There are a lot of quality basketball players in the 9th region this season and a case could be made for probably 15-20 kids to fill those final 10 spots.

 

Is the 2nd and 3rd team the best players overall or are you saying there have to be bigs on the team?

Well done. When does the Regional Draw come out? Not a single kid from Highlands even made honorable mention.

Well done. When does the Regional Draw come out? Not a single kid from Highlands even made honorable mention.

 

Draw for the region is usually Sunday morning.

Good selections overall for the all-star team.

 

I'd move CVH and Weyer into 3rd team in front of Bo and Tanner White.

Is the 2nd and 3rd team the best players overall or are you saying there have to be bigs on the team?

 

Bigs on the team....which is why I said "The above is not a top 15 list or how I feel the players should be ranked."

 

Hemmerich and Jordan Noble should probably be listed somewhere on the 2nd or 3rd team, the more I think about it.

Edit.

Good selections overall for the all-star team.

 

I'd move CVH and Weyer into 3rd team in front of Bo and Tanner White.

 

I'd probably agree with that.

 

Tanner White has been a scoring machine though, single handedly keeping his team in games throughout the season.

 

As I said in the article, there are probably 15-20 kids that you could make a legit argument for to be included on the 2nd or 3rd team.

Bigs on the team....which is why I said "The above is not a top 15 list or how I feel the players should be ranked."

 

Hemmerich and Jordan Noble should probably be listed somewhere on the 2nd or 3rd team, the more I think about it.

 

Hemmerich has an interesting offensive game for a "big" if we're slotting him. Can hit the 3. Can hit the step back. Quick release. Uses his dribble well to get looks. Good off of screens.

 

No interior game. D is average.

 

I like his overall game. Not sure if I would have had him in the top 3 teams.

I'd probably agree with that.

 

Tanner White has been a scoring machine though, single handedly keeping his team in games throughout the season.

 

As I said in the article, there are probably 15-20 kids that you could make a legit argument for to be included on the 2nd or 3rd team.

 

White can shoot the 3. No question.

 

However, his overall game isn't where CVH is now and that's without CVH having a strong J.

 

Ben Weyer suffers because of his frontcourt mates. Turning into an inside/outside threat who can put the ball on the floor.

Well done. When does the Regional Draw come out? Not a single kid from Highlands even made honorable mention.

 

Houliston not being 100% healthy for a full season had a lot to do with that. If he were on a team where he could play his natural position (2-shooting guard), he would have likely been included.

 

The problem is he is forced to play the 4 and 5 out of necessity instead which hinders what he can do at both ends.

 

I really like Buten too at the point but feel Ruthsatz, Pangallo, and McClendon are better options.

Hemmerich has an interesting offensive game for a "big" if we're slotting him. Can hit the 3. Can hit the step back. Quick release. Uses his dribble well to get looks. Good off of screens.

 

No interior game. D is average.

 

I like his overall game. Not sure if I would have had him in the top 3 teams.

 

Good points.

 

I think his offensive game is one of the better ones in the region for his size but like you said, all around game keeps him off the top 3 teams.

White can shoot the 3. No question.

 

However, his overall game isn't where CVH is now and that's without CVH having a strong J.

 

Ben Weyer suffers because of his frontcourt mates. Turning into an inside/outside threat who can put the ball on the floor.

 

CVH is the better defender. I'd take White from a pure scoring and offensive standpoint. Kid can hit the 3, pull up J, and finish around the rim. Also a great leader that is very vocal.

 

CVH is probably more aggressive and stronger. Both are great assets for the system they are in. It really just depends on what you want out of your 2 guard. Can't go wrong with either, IMO.

 

Weyer is one of the most versatile "face up 4's" in the region. He hasn't had to play with his back to the basket very much though and having Schulte and McDonald allow him to go against a smaller defender 80% of the time. I'd like to see how he does if he had to go against someone his size every game out. Right now he is a complete mis match. We will know more about him and his game after this summer when he plays for the Travelers against EYBL competition. Much like CVH, I wouldn't argue someone else including him as a 3rd team selection. It crossed my mind.