After a busy few weeks for 9th region teams, "Inside the 9th Region" returns with a better feel for each team as we now have more head to head results to go off of. Let's jump right in to the top 10 and more.

 

Top 10

 

1. Newport Central Catholic (7-2)

 

Why: The Breds went 2-2 at the King of the Bluegrass, finishing runner up in the Consolation Bracket, while also defeating Dayton is a district match up, Boone County, and St Louis Christian at the Clem Haskins Classic at Taylor County.

 

The Scores:

Newcath 75 Boone Co 43

Doss 66 Newcath 63

Newcath 68 Bardstown 53

Newcath 64 Waggener 48

Ballard 77 Newcath 75

Newcath 83 Dayton 29

Newcath 63 St Louis Christian 61

 

Overall: The Breds did nothing to give up the #1 spot in the 9th region rankings and have more than lived up to the preseason hype. A couple tough losses at the King of the Bluegrass top top 10 teams Doss and Ballard, but in both games the Breds had double digit leads and simply couldn't finish down the stretch. That experience payed off big time when they went to Taylor County and knocked off a St Louis Christian team that featured 5 players who hold a division I offer. The star of that game? 6'6 junior Ben Weyer, who went off for 33 points against a front line that went 6'7, 6'9, 6'10, 7'0, and another 6'9 freshman off the bench that is projected top 25 nationally for 2018. The duo of Weyer and Drew McDonald have been as good as any inside duo in the state, averaging 40 ppg, 18 rpg. McDonald comes in to the new year averaging a cool 24 ppg, 10 rpg, while fellow senior and point guard Zack Pangallo is also in double figures at 11 ppg. It is that trio that will determine how good this Breds team can be heading in to February and March.

 

Up Next: 1/5 v Holy Cross; 1/6 v Newport (Live on NKYSports.com)

 

2. Covington Catholic (9-3)

 

Why: The Colonels went 6-2 over the Christmas break with wins over Bellevue, Campbell County, as well as a 3-1 finish at the Traditional Bank Classic, and a road win over Highlands to start the new year.

 

The Scores:

Covcath 86 Bellevue 22

Covcath 65 Campbell Co 46

Knott Co Central 78 Covcath 66

Boyle Co 69 Covcath 58

Covcath 81 Perry Co Central 75

Covcath 48 Central 45

Covcath 73 Henry Clay 58

Covcath 70 Highlands 37

 

Overall: The Colonels dropped back to back games after a convincing win over 10th region favorite, Campbell County, but rebounded with 4 wins to head in to the meat of their schedule on a high. Through 9 games, the Colonels have been led by the trio of Cole VonHandorf (18 ppg), Bo Schuh (14 ppg, 6 rpg), and Cooper Theobald (12 ppg). While those three will be enough to beat most teams, consistent scoring from a 4th and 5th scoring option will help elevate them to another level. Grant Romes (6.7 ppg) and Andy Flood (5.4 ppg) will be looked upon to carry some of the load when the Colonels deal with foul trouble.

 

Up Next: 1/6 at Cincinnati St Xavier, 1/10 v Winton Woods, OH

 

3. Holmes (10-3)

 

Why: The Bulldogs defeated Lloyd in comeback fashion then dropped their first two games at the King of the Bluegrass, but have since won 6 straight, including 4 wins to claim the Lloyd Memorial Invitational Championship.

 

The Scores:

Holmes 65 Lloyd 55

Bullitt East 67 Holmes 65

Ballard 92 Holmes 80

Holmes 73 Chicago De La Salle 70

Holmes 79 Collegiate 34

Holmes 56 Walton Verona 42

Holmes 78 Conner 70

Holmes 93 Scott 77

Holmes 73 Muhlenberg Co 59

 

Overall: After a slow start, the Bulldogs seem to finally be finding their way and playing at the level that was expected when they came in to the preseason with a top 15 ranking. After the back to back losses at the King of the Bluegrass, the Bulldogs went back to the drawing board and have been on a roll since. With different players emerging each game as the leader, this is becoming one of the most balanced teams in the region. Through 13 games, James Bolden ( 19 ppg, 5 rpg), Markel McClendon (15 ppg), Rod Avery (14 ppg, 7 rpg), and Marcus Mullins (11 ppg, 4.5 rpg) are all averaging double figure scoring. Andrew Arnold has given the Dogs a post presence with strength and physicality to go with Avery but the Bulldogs will need to get more scoring from that 5th starter to be a serious region title contender. Defensively, they have the depth to wear teams down, but struggle to score with either Bolden or McClendon off the floor.

 

Up Next: 1/6 at Scott, 1/9 v Madison Central

 

4. Dixie Heights (8-4)

 

Why: After dropping three straight to open their season, the Colonels have been one of the hottest teams in the region, winning 8 of their past 9, including an Ashland Invitation Tournament Championshio over Christmas break.

 

The Scores:

Dixie Heights 50 Highlands 30

Montgomery Co 43 Dixie Heights 31

Dixie Heights 61 Johnson Central 51

Dixie Heights 47 East Carter 38

Dixie Heights 56 Holy Cross 40

Dixie Heights 62 Dunbar 47

Dixie Heights 55 St Henry 49

 

Overall: While the Colonels have struggled to score at times over the past few weeks, one thing that has been constant is their defense. At 46 ppg, the Colonels are giving up the least amount of points per game. They have done this while being without the services of 6'7 starting center, Mitch Bolin, who has been out of town with family. The Colonels, offensively, have looked the best when senior point guard Liam Rabe has played a dominant role and looked for his shot. This was on full display at the Ashland Invitational where Rabe took home MVP honors. When Rabe is aggressive and looking to score, it opens up things for his teammates, namely Austin Schreck. The Colonels have the depth, length, and size to throw multiple looks at teams at both ends of the floor. If they are going to challenge and beat the above three teams when it counts, their two senior guards will have to play a little selfish and look to score to open up the floor for the rest of their teammates.

 

Up Next: 1/6 at Villa Madonna, 1/9 v Ryle, 1/10 at Holy Cross

 

5. Boone County (9-4)

 

Why: After briefly falling out of the top 10, the Rebels have responded by going 6-2 over the last 8, with one of those losses coming top the #1 team in these rankings.

 

The Scores:

Newcath 75 Boone Co 43

Boone Co 59 Cooper 39

Boone Co 72 Indian Hill, OH 54

Boone Co 74 Augusta 40

Scott 80 Boone Co 65

Boone Co 71 McCracken Co 64

Boone Co 71 Newport 57

Boone Co 59 North Hardin 54

 

Overall: The Rebels struggled early and after losing starting center, Junior Stockwell, looked to be on a downward spiral. Boone had a solid showing in the Lloyd Memorial Invitational, going 3-1, while also avenging an earlier 26 point loss to Newport, in which they didn't have the services of Stockwell. Through 12 games, Boone has been led by Junior Stockwell (17 ppg, 6 rpg), Brenden Stanley ( 12 ppg, 6 rpg), and Haven Borkowski (11 ppg). The inside-outside duo of Stockwell and Stanley were expected to be major contributors, but Borkowski has been a nice surprise. While Brett Mayberry has played well at 8 points per game, the Rebels will need him to produce at even higher level if they are going to seriously challenge any of the teams ahead of them.

 

Up Next: 1/7 V Grant Co, 1/9 v Mason Co, 1/10 at Beechwood

 

6. Cooper (7-4)

 

Why: The Jags went 4-2 over Christmas Break with a runner up finish in the City of Middletown Holiday Classic, as well as a solid win over Harrison County in the Cooper New Year's Bash.

 

The Scores:

Cooper 51 Ryle 20

Boone Co 59 Cooper 39

Cooper 74 Jeffersontown 57

Cooper 60 Collins 54

Fern Creek 72 Cooper 67

Cooper 72 Harrison Co 60

 

Overall: Cooper has been inconsistent at times throughout December, but one constant has been the play of sophomore guard Sean McNeil. The sophomore had a career high 34 points in the win over Collins and has been at or above 20 points in virtually every game for Cooper this season. While it is known he can score, he has also rebounded at a high level as well through the first month of the season. As good as McNeil has played, it is the play of Colin Hathorn and Jon Liechty that will determine the fate of the Jaguars in the 33rd district. Liechty spent a couple weeks sitting with shin splints but that has allowed senior Blake Dickerson to get more experience and confidence, which was on full display at the City of Middletown Classic in which he had 9 points, 9 rebounds in one game and 8 points, 7 rebounds in another. The back court duo of Dante Hendrix and Adam Kunkel has been as solid as Coach Sullivan could ask for in a sophomore and freshman. Hendix had 11 points, 6 assists against Fern Creek, while Kunkel had a game and career high 19 points against Harrison County. Consistency from the supporting cast to compliment McNeil could make this Cooper team very dangerous come tournament time.

 

Up Next: 1/8 v Highlands, 1/10 at Cincinnati Elder, OH

 

7. Conner (7-5)

 

Why: The Cougars went 4-3 over Christmas Break, with wins over Bellevue, and Ryle to go along with a fourth place finish in the Lloyd Memorial Invitational.

 

The Scores:

Simon Kenton 81 Conner 55

Conner 64 Ryle 56

Conner 88 Bracken Co 76

Conner 68 Newport 62

Holmes 78 Conner 70

Stewart's Creek, TN 61 Conner 47

Conner 86 Bellevue 43

 

Overall: Sophomore Spencer Hemmerich and Junior Michael Scott have given the Cougars consistent production from every where on the floor and form one of the better scoring 1-2 punches in the area. It is teams with athleticism and size in the front court, however that have given them trouble, as shown in their three losses over Christmas break. Because of the lack of size, Kyler Padgett and Jacob Barnes will have to be at or above double figures virtually every game for the Cougars to beat the elite teams in teh 9th region.

 

Up Next: 1/6 at St Patrick

 

8. St Henry (7-6)

 

Why: The Crusaders went 4-3 over Christmas Break , making it to the championship of the Mingus Beef Jerky Hoopfest at Paris, while losing by a combined 11 points to two of the top 5 teams in Northern Kentucky.

 

The Scores:

St Henry 58 Bullitt Central 44

St Henry 70 Model 38

Tates Creek 60 ST Henry 55

St Henry 67 Ludlow 46

Campbell Co 58 St Henry 53

Dixie Heights 55 St Henry 49

St Henry 77 Bracken Co 52

 

Overall: The Crusaders have had multiple games slip away from this season, with the Campbell County game being the most recent as the Crusaders are still missing a signature win. Coach Faust has talent with a group that plays extremely hard but a lack of depth has been the biggest reason that St Henry sits at #8 in the rankings. That, and as a team, the Cru are shooting just 66% from the free throw line. That number will have to improve if St Henry is going to seriously challenge Dixie come 34th district tournament time. Coach Faust's team will atleast get a chance at some revenge this coming week.

 

Up Next: 1/6 v Tates Creek, 1/7 v Bellevue, 1/9 at Lexington Catholic

 

9. Holy Cross (7-6)

 

Why: The Indians won 3 out of 4 to start the break, but have since lost three straight.

 

The Scores:

Holy Cross 66 Scott 54

Grant Co 63 Holy Cross 50

Holy Cross 53 Bishop Brossart 50

Holy Cross 65 Ashland 59

Dixie Heights 56 Holy Cross 40

Rowan Co 68 Holy Cross 59

Pendleton Co 54 Holy Cross 43

 

Overall: Holy Cross has solid wins over teams like Cooper and Scott, yet have lost to a few teams that they probably shouldn't have and also needed overtime to beat a winless Ashland team. That is what you are going to get from a team that lives and dies by the 3.

 

10. Newport (7-7)

 

Why: After starting the season 4-1, the Wildcats have dropped 6 of the last 9.

 

The Scores:

Campbell Co 80 Newport 55

Madison Central 71 Newport 68

Harrison Co 61 Newport 60

Ryle 61 Newport 57

Newport 64 Iroquois 57

Conner 68 Newport 62

Newport 60 Walton Verona 48

Boone Co 71 Newport 57

Newport 57 Beechwood 52

 

Overall: It's pretty easy to point out the Wildcats issues so far. Obviously the schedule has been tougher than what Coach Snapp has had before, but Newport has simply struggled with their shooting which has made them easier to defend. The Wildcats are shooting just 32% from outside, with leading scorer, Ethan Snapp, shooting 33% which is down from 39% a season ago. Despite the struggles from outside, Snapp is still averaging 20 points per game through the first 14 games. Paul Price is averaging 14 points per game, with Kam Covington averaging 9 points per game and 7 rebounds per game, while Kedan Davis and Dom Joseph are both averaging 6 points per game. The Wildcats will need to improve upon their shot selection and start knocking down shots if they want to move up in the rankings.

 

Up Next: 1/6 at Newcath, 1/10 at Highlands

 

Player of the Week

We will go with a co-player of the week as both Ben Weyer (33 points) and Sean McNeil (34 points) had career highs in games this past week.

Agree with the rankings.

I'm thinking Boone may be a little high but have been playing better. Well done.

I'm thinking Boone may be a little high but have been playing better. Well done.

 

Boone struggled early with Stockwell out, due to injury.

 

Since his return, they've beaten Cooper by 20, Conner by 12,and Newport by 14 (in relation to these rankings).

For comparison, here are the LIT region rankings...

 

REGION 9

1.Newport Catholic 97.6

2.Covington Catholic 96.0

3.Holmes 85.2

4.Cooper 82.6

5.Dixie Heights 81.4

6.Boone County 79.6

7.St. Henry 78.6

8.Conner 76.7

9.Covington Holy Cross 75.4

10.Newport 75.2

Solid job as always. :thumb: