In last week's edition of "Inside the 9th Region," I stated that there was one elite team and two really good teams that were likely closer to one another than the #1 team...and this week we now know that couldn't have been further from the truth. Let's get right in to it as we review this past week's action.

 

Top 10:

 

 

1. Covington Catholic (13-4)

 

Why: The Colonels went 2-1 this week but knocked off the previous #1 team in the region to take control of the top spot in the 9th Region.

 

Moeller (OH) 61 Covcath 52

The Colonels fell to a Moeller team that is down, compared to recent Moeller teams, but still a solid Ohio team. Covcath was led by Cooper Theobald (15 points), Bo Schuh (14 pts, 6 rbs), and Cole VonHandorf (11 pts).

 

Covcath 58 Newcath 48

In a game that pitted #1 v #2, it was the Blue Colonels that prevailed at Bank of Kentucky Center. Covcath was led by VonHandorf with 17 pts, Theobald with 16 pts, and junior Andy Flood with 15 pts in the win.

 

Covcath 61 Ryle 39

Coming off an emotional win over Newcath, Covcath took care of business against Ryle behind 23 points from Cole VonHandorf. Cooper Theobald chipped in 10 points, with Andy Flood and Bo Schuh both putting in 8 points, each. Bo Schuh also had a game high 11 rebounds.

 

Overall:

Since the preseason, I have been saying that while Covcath wasn't as talented as some of the top teams in the state, they would be able to compete with anyone because of how physical they are at the defensive end to go with their versatility and depth. All three were on full display against the previous #1 Thoroughbreds as Covcath proved that the region still goes through them. If Andy Flood can consistently play at the level he did against Newcath, Covcath will be extremely tough to beat not only in this region, but statewide. Another tough match up awaits them Friday night.

 

Up Next: 1/20 v Conner, 1/23 v Holmes at Bank Of Kentucky Center, 1/24 v Cincinnati Woodward

 

2. Newport Central Catholic (11-3)

 

Why: The Breds went 1-1 this week, but fall to #2 as they suffer their first in region loss of the season.

 

Newcath 81 Lloyd 34

Newcath scored 34 1st quarter points and cruised to an easy victory over the Juggs. Ben Weyer led Newcath with Weyer 19 pts, followed by 12 from Drew McDonald, and 12 from Grant Moeves.

 

Covcath 58 Newcath 48

In their lowest scoring output since last season's 9th region tournament loss to Covcath (43 points), the Breds dropped their first 9th region game of the year to the Blue Colonels. Drew McDonald led Newcath with 18 points, 8 rebounds, followed by Ben Weyer with 10 points, and Erik Anderson with 9 points.

 

Overall:

Covcath's defensive intensity really got to the Breds as they missed shots around the rim that they normally convert at a high level with McDonald and Weyer. While Newcath is still going to be a very tough out come March, this region appears to be a lot closer than what many, myself included, originally thought a week ago. The Breds will be fine but Covcath has set a blueprint on how to beat them and I'm sure coaches are taking notice.

 

Up Next: 9th Region All A Tournament 1/19 thru 1/24

 

3. Holmes (15-3)

 

Why: The Bulldogs went 3-0 this week to extend their win streak to 11 games.

 

Holmes 89 Holy Cross 71

The Bulldogs were led by Marcus Mullins (23 pts, 11 rbs), Rod Avery (22 pts, 10 rbs), James Bolden (21 pts), and Markel McClendon (16 pts) in a balanced win over district rival, Holy Cross.

 

Holmes 67 Newport 61

Marcus Mullins once again led the Bulldogs with 18 points, followed by James Bolden with 16 points, Markel McClendon with 15 points, and Rod Avery with 10 points, 5 rebounds. Junior Andrew Arnold led the Bulldogs on the glass with 7 rebounds.

 

Holmes 66 Cooper 55

James Bolden led Holmes on his birthday with 20 points, 8 assists, followed by Rod Avery with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and Markel McClendon with 11 points.

 

Overall:

People seem to be forgetting about this team but they continue to win games as they lead the region in scoring. Arguably the most balanced team in the region, the foursome of Bolden, McClendon, Mullins, and Avery is proving to be a very tough quartet to stop every game out. Without looking at the stats of other teams, Holmes might be the only team in the region with 4 players averaging double figure scoring. The upcoming week will tell us how much Holmes has improved since the early December losses, but they seem to be clicking on all cylinders right now.

 

Up Next: 1/20 at Mason County; 1/23 v Covcath at Bank of Kentucky Center; 1/24 v Trinity at Montgomery County

 

4. Dixie Heights (13-4)

 

Why: The Colonels went 2-0 this past week to extend their win streak to 10 games.

 

Dixie Heights 65 Ludlow 37

Dixie was led by Austin Schreck and Mitch Bolin with 13 points, apiece, followed by Liam Rabe with 11 points.

 

Dixie Heights 68 Conner 55

It was a balanced attack by the Colonels in the road win as Austin Schreck led Dixie with 19 points, followed by 11 each from Rabe and Bolin, as well as 10 points from Nick Niehaus.

 

Overall:

Much like the Bulldogs, this team is quietly going about their business and piling up wins as they continue to get better leading up to February as they get their team healthy and geared up for post season play. It's been tough to judge the Colonels as they haven't had their full roster of players for a variety of reasons but as they continue to mesh as a unit, they are going to be a tough match up for someone come tournament time. This upcoming week will be a nice test for the Colonels to see where they stand statewide.

 

Up Next: 1/21-1/24 at Scott County Toyota Classic

 

5. Boone County (12-6)

 

Why: The Rebels maintain their 5 ranking by winning their only game last week.

 

Boone Co 64 St Henry 57

Boone trailed going in to the 4th quarter but were able to make a comeback and get the win behind 21 points, 10 rebounds from Junior Stockwell, as well as 18 points from Brenden Stanley and 11 from Brett Mayberry.

 

Overall: Not much has changed since last week. While Boone is #5 in the region, there is still a gap between them and the top 4 teams. Junior Stockwell, Brenden Stanley, and Brett Mayberry are a solid trio but a lack of shooting from outside limits what the Rebels can do offensively.

 

Up Next: 1/22 at Cooper, 1/24 v Highlands

 

6. Cooper (9-6)

 

Why: The Jags went 1-1 last week.

 

Cooper 51 Simon Kenton 31

The Jags were led by Sean McNeil with 21 points, 10 rebounds in a defensive battle.

 

Holmes 66 Cooper 55

Jon Liechty led the Jaguars in scoring with 15 points, while Sean McNeil chipped in 14 followed by 11 from senior Blake Dickerson.

 

Overall:

Despite losing to Holmes by double figures, Coach Tim Sullivan's squad showed a lot of heart after they got down 16-1 early in the 1st quarter, only to battle back and take a 5 point lead in to the locker room at halftime. Cooper has the talent to knock off one of the top 3 teams, but will have to execute all 4 quarters at both ends of the court in order to do so.

 

Up Next: 1/22 v Boone Co,

 

7. Conner (8-7)

 

Why: The Cougars dropped both of their games last week and have now lost 4 of their last 6.

 

Campbell Co 81 Conner 52

Conner was led by Spencer Hemmerich with 19 points and Michael Scott with 11 points.

 

Dixie Heights 68 Conner 55

Jacob Barnes led the Cougars with 17 points, followed by 14 from Michael Scott.

 

Overall:

Conner is one of the highest scoring teams in the region at 68 points per game. In their 7 losses, they are held to just 55 points. The big issue is they are giving up 67 ppg. Conner will have to improve defensively if they are going to rise in the rankings. No doubt they can score with players like Scott, Hemmerich, and Barnes, but when shots aren't falling, you have to rely on defense if you want to win.

 

Up Next: 1/20 at Covcath, 1/23 v Ryle at Bank of Kentucky Center

 

8. St Henry (10-8)

 

Why: St Henry went 1-1 this week.

 

St Henry 60 McNicholas, OH 54

The Crusaders were led by Connor Kunstek with 16 points, 5 rebounds. Other double figure scorers included Paul Wallenhorst with 14 pts, Logan Kenney, and Adam Goetz with 11 points, each.

 

Boone County 64 St Henry 57

Adam Goetz scored 25 points to lead the Crusaders, followed by 11 from Paul Wallenhorst.

 

Overall:

St Henry is one or two solid bench players away from possibly being a top 5 team in the region. The Cru has had 4th quarter leads against Holmes, Boone County, and Campbell County, only to see them fade away down the stretch. Whether it is from being tired because of a lack of depth or simply not having a player capable of closing out a game and taking over, St Henry has to pull out one of these close games eventually.

 

Up Next: 1/21-1/24 9th Region All A

 

9. Holy Cross (9-9)

 

Why: The Indians dropped their only game last week, but to a top team in the region.

 

Holmes 89 Holy Cross 71

Tyler Bezold led 4 double figure scorers with 21 points, 7 rebounds. Erich Jakubowski contributed 15 points, while Leighton Schrand (13 points). and Jared Seibert (12 points) were the other Indians in double figures.

 

Overall: Holy Cross scores enough to play with and possibly beat most of the teams ahead of them, but against the elite teams in this region, they simply don't have the depth or overall athleticism to put together four consistent quarters needed to knock off one of those teams.

 

Up Next: 1/19-1/24 9th Region All A

 

10. Newport (9-10)

 

Why: Newport went 0-2 last week.

 

Holmes 67 Newport 61

Ethan Snapp led the Wildcats with 21 points, followed by 17 points, 8 rebounds from Paul Price and 11 points from Dom Joseph.

 

Dayton Ponitz Career Technology Center, OH 53 Newport 41

Ethan Snapp, Paul Price, and Kedan Davis all finished with 12 points, each, in the loss

 

Overall:

Newport lost to two teams this week that were expected to beat them. A run to the All A finals this week would help with them moving up in the rankings.

 

Up Next: 1/19-1/24 9th Region All A

Nice review, Walter.

If Newport could consistently play every game like they played against Holmes, then they'd be deserving of perhaps the 6th or 7th spot.

 

I've not seen Conner play, but I'm not so sure they're deserving of the 7th spot, and I'd consider bumping St. Henry to 7th, Newport to 8th, and dropping Conner to 9th or 10th.

 

With that said 7th thru 10th is a crap shoot and doesn't seem easy to call with any certainty. Those 4 spots seem to have the propensity to flip flop from one night to the next.

 

The All 'A' should be able to settle those spots a whole lot better by the end of the week although the best of Newport, St. Henry and Holy Cross will undoubtedly hit that inevitable wall of facing NewCath by Saturday night.

 

Who knows, Lloyd could surprise us all and be the team to rise to the finals shaking up spots 7-10 even more. Then you have Beechwood also vying for at least that 10th spot, but they're gonna have a helluva time proving it with what they have facing them.

 

The top 3 are solidly worthy of their positions, but Dixie, Boone, and Cooper are hard to figure. Boone faces Cooper on Thursday, so that should tell us something, and although Dixie keeps winning I've yet to see their signature win proving them a solid lock at 4th. I'm not yet convinced that they can be viewed much differently than Boone and Cooper.

 

I think that the only thing we can say with any certainty is that the team representing the 9th at Rupp this year will likely be one of the top 3, but who knows, one team from 4-6 could shut us all up by season's end.

Great review, Walter!!

 

I think Covington Catholic is the team to beat!

 

I'm hoping that there are still some big upsets left this season in the 9th Region to keep it interesting. :banana:

If Newport.

 

If only I had a dollar for every time someone posted about Newport's potential over the years....

If only I had a dollar for every time someone posted about Newport's potential over the years....

 

Like the sun rising over Bermuda.....