Two weeks ago there were two clear favorites for the 9th region crown. Less than a week away from the start of the post season and there might be 5 or 6 different teams with a legit chance at heading to Rupp Arena when the dust settles. Let's take a look back at this past week's action and the movement inside the top 10.

 

1. Newport Central Catholic (25-3)

 

Why: The Breds have now won 14 consecutive games.

 

Newcath 78 Bellevue 39

In what was expected to be a blowout, the Breds were led by Drew McDonald with 19 points, 15 rebounds and Ben Weyer with 14 points. Sophomore Trey Wurtz also had 10 points in the win.

 

Newcath 58 Holmes 52

In what is likely their final test before district and region play begins, Newcath came away with a victory behind 18 points, 10 rebounds from Ben Weyer and 16 points, 7 assists from Zack Pangallo. Drew McDonald became Newcath's all time rebounding leader in this game with 10 rebounds to go along with 9 points.

 

Overall: Since the Covcath loss, Newcath has done nothing but take care of business and are deserving of the #1 ranking, where they started the season. While they didn't look that great against Holmes, they still came away with a win which other teams failed to do this past week. Drew McDonald has been a rebounding machine lately and Newcath will need that to continue heading in to the post season if they are going to finally get over the hump and get to Rupp Arena. Weather will keep their showdown with Louisville Trinity from happening, which could've given us a really good indication where they are on a statewide level heading in to the post season.

 

Up Next: 2/19 at Conner

 

2. Dixie Heights (19-7)

 

Why: The red Colonels went 2-1 this past week but had a convincing 15 points win over the previous #1 team.

 

Bullitt East 62 Dixie Heights 59

The Colonels led by 15 heading in to 4th quarter but lost on a 3 by the Chargers with 1.4 left in the game.

 

Dixie Heights 62 Covcath 47

Austin Schreck led all scorers with 15 points to go with 7 rebounds. Andrew Hedger added 14 points, while Mitchell Bolin had a solid 11 points, 8 rebounds.

 

Dixie Heights 84 Scott 59

Austin Schreck continued his hot streak with 23 points against the Eagles, followed by Andrew Hedger with 21 points and 12 from Drew Moore.

 

Overall:

Dixie has finally picked up the signature win to prove they belong in the conversation with the other top teams in the 9th region. Their length and athleticism has been talked about all season, as well as their depth, but they finally proved the hype is real in the convincing win over Covcath. With Austin Schreck playing at the level he is and the front court duo of Andrew Hedger and Mitch Bolin manning the paint, this is going to be an extremely tough team to beat come region tournament time. What can't be overlooked either, is how well Liam Rabe and Drew Moore have controlled the game at the 1 and 2.

 

Up Next: 2/20 v Boone County (NKYSports.com Live Broadcast Game of the Week)

 

3. Covington Catholic (23-5)

 

Why: The Colonels went 2-1 this week, as their 12 game winning streak came to an end.

 

Covcath 61 Cooper 42

Bo Schuh led Covcath with 23 points, 9 rebounds followed by Cole Vonhandorf with 20 points. Cooper Theobald also had a solid game with 12 points.

 

Covcath 64 Newport 49

Bo Schuh finished with a double double (19 points, 10 rebounds), with Cooper Theobald tallying 17 points in the win. Vonhandorf and Andy Flood both had 9 points, while Matt Schumate had 8 in the balanced effort.

 

Dixie Heights 62 Covcath 47

Matt Schumate was the only Colonel to reach double figures in the loss with 11 points. Andy Flood and Bo Schuh both contributed 9 points, with Schuh pulling down 8 rebounds. Cole Vonhandorf was held to a season low 4 points.

 

Overall:

The loss to Dixie drops the Colonels to #3 but that doesn't mean they aren't still a contender for the region title. They have just one region loss but a blueprint has been set for how to beat them if a team can execute the way Dixie did against them. It's no secret that Covcath isn't very big and aren't that great of a shooting team from outside (30 %), Dixie used a great gameplan of zoning them on defense and taking away the high ball screen while pounding them in the paint at the other end. The loss to Dixie can either be a good or bad thing for this team. It can either get them re focused for the post season, or cause them to start questioning themselves should they see teams use a similar gameplan as Dixie. My guess is this coaching staff will have them ready to go when it matters.

 

Up Next: 2/20 at Madison Central

 

4. Boone County (18-9)

 

Why: The Rebels won both of their games this past week, including a home upset of the previous #3 team.

 

Boone County 97 Holmes 83

In a game where the Rebels shot 70%, all five starters reached double figures led by Brenden Stanley (25 pts, 13 rbs) and Junior Stockwell (24 pts, 10 rbs) with double-doubles. Haven Borkowski poured in 22 points, followed by Malcolm Stockwell and Brett Mayberry with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

 

Boone County 88 Paris 65

Junior Stockwell led the Rebels with 19 points, 11 rebounds with Brenden Stanley putting up a 17 points, 7 rebound performance. Elijah Monhollen followed those two with 13 points, with Haven Borkowski finishing out the week with 12 points.

 

Overall:

If Boone's offense can continue to produce the way they did this past week, you have to include them as a team that can with the region. The duo of Junior Stockwell and Brenden Stanley form one of the best inside outside duos in the region and they are finally getting production from the rest of the team. Haven Borkowski gives them a legit third scoring option and Brett Mayberry has been steady at both ends at the point guard position. The regular season finale should give us an even better idea of where the Rebels are with district play starting next week.

 

Up Next: 2/20 at Dixie Heights (NKYSports.com live broadcast game of the week)

 

5. Holmes (20-7)

 

Why: The Bulldogs lost both of their games this past week, dropping them to #5 in the rankings.

 

Boone County 97 Holmes 83

Holmes had four players reach double figures, but also had one of their worst defensive performances of the year. Markel McClendon and James Bolden led Holmes with 26 and 23 points, while Bolden also had 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Marcus Mullins and Rod Avery rounded out the double figure scoring with 16 and 10 points, respectively.

 

Newcath 58 Holmes 52

Playing without Rod Avery, the Bulldogs looked much better defensively but couldn't overcome Newcath's size inside. James Bolden led the Bulldogs with 20 points, while Markel McClendon and Marcus Mullins finished with 10 points, each.

 

Overall:

While Holmes comes in at #5 this week, in no way are they out of the region title picture. The Boone loss got them re-focused defensively and it showed against Newcath, as they forced 16 turnovers, but they will have to learn to rebound better if Avery is out of the game. Against both Boone and Newcath, the Bulldogs got killed on the boards. They have the talent to win this region but will have to play better team defense and rebound consistently for that to happen. Look for a refocused, energized group when district play starts next week.

 

Up Next: 2/19 at Grant County

 

6. Cooper (15-8)

 

Why: The Jags went 0-2 this week.

 

Covcath 61 Cooper 42

Playing without leading scorer Sean McNeil, Patrick Dragan and Colin Hathorn both finished with 13 points, each.

 

Campbell County 75 Cooper 73

Sophomore Dante Hendrix led the Jaguars with 19 points, followed by freshman Adam Kunkel with 17 points. Jon Liechty had 16 points, while Colin Hathorn finished with 11 points in the loss.

 

Overall:

It's tough to really judge Cooper this past week for the simple fact that they are playing without leading scorer Sean McNeil (knee), and senior forward Blake Dickerson (wrist). Cooper has had other players step up in their absence which should be big for their depth as the post season nears.

 

Up Next: 2/20 at Scott

 

7. St Henry (17-11)

 

Why: The Cru won both of their games this past week.

 

St Henry 58 Beechwood 53

Adam Goetz and Connor Kunstek led St Henry with 20 points, each.

 

St Henry 61 Walton Verona 53

Adam Goetz had another 20 point performance to lead the Crusaders, while Conner Kunstek and Paul Wallenhorst reached double figures as well with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

 

Overall:

St Henry has been pretty consistent all year regardless of the outcomes. Having Adam Goetz and Connor Kunstek provide that inside-outside consistency will give others scoring opportunities but someone will need to step up as that consistent third scoring option if they are going to have success in the post season.

 

Up Next: 2/20 at Holy Cross

 

8. Holy Cross (13-11)

 

Why: The Indians picked up 2 wins this past week.

 

Holy Cross 66 Conner 55

Leighton Schrand and Tyler Bezold led the Indians with 18 and 17 points, while Erich Jakubowski and Derrick Barned both had 12 points.

 

Holy Cross 62 Beechwood 43

Tyler Bezold and Hamilton Scott finished with 19 and 12 points, respectively, in the final 35th district seed game of the season. Jared Seibert pulled down a team high 7 rebounds.

 

Overall:

Holy Cross would have a chance to be a region tournament team in one of the other 3 Northern Kentucky Districts, but unfortunately will have to beat Holmes to get there this season. Tyler Bezold has had a great junior campaign and Ryan Schrand's bunch has been better than what people have expected this season. Holy Cross will have a chance to close out the regular season on a high with the remaining two opponents.

 

Up Next: 2/18 at Newport; 2/20 v St Henry

 

9. Conner (12-13)

 

Why: Conner went 1-2 this past week, falling to #9 in the rankings.

 

Grant County 74 Conner 64

Jacob Barnes and Alec Garnett led Conner with 23 and 12 points, respectively, in the loss. Barnes had five 3 pointers.

 

Holy Cross 66 Conner 55

Michael Scott had a team high 22 points, followed by 19 from Spencer Hemmerich.

 

Conner 78 Highlands 66

 

Overall:

Jacob Barnes has had a great senior season, coming out of nowhere, to lead the Cougars. He and Michael Scott have formed one of the better back court duos in the area. If the Cougars want to get back to the region tournament, they will have to improve their defense in district play and get consistent play from Spencer Hemmerich, Kyler Padgett, and Alec Garnett.

 

Up Next: 2/19 v Newport Central Catholic

 

10. Newport (12-15)

 

Why: The Wildcats lost their only game this week.

 

Covcath 64 Newport 49

Ethan Snapp led Newport with 17 points, while senior Dom Joseph had a double double with 10 points, 10 rebounds.

 

Overall:

The Wildcats are likely playing for second place in the 36th district but with the right draw could possibly upset someone in the region tournament. That will depend on how much help Ethan Snapp gets. Paul Price has been a consistent second scoring option but the Wildcats will have to really be on their game to have post season success.

 

Up Next: 2/18 v Holy Cross

 

 

Player of the week

This week's player of the week goes to Newcath senior big man Drew McDonald. The 6'7 NKU signee broke the all time rebound record with 25 rebounds in two games while also leading the Breds to two more wins to extend their win streak to 14 games.

 

About The Rankings:

This week saw more movement than any other week this season.

 

Newcath moved up to #1 from #2.

Dixie moved up to #2 from #4.

Covcath fell to #3 from #1

Boone County moved up to #4 from #6.

Holmes fell to #5 from #3.

Cooper fell from #5 to #6.

St Henry moved up to #7 from #8.

Holy Cross moved up to #8 from #10.

Conner fell to #9 from #7.

Newport fell to #10 from #9.

 

Game of the week

#2 Dixie Heights v #4 Boone County Friday 2/20

It should also be noted that I didn't include the 2/17 games in the "Up Next" portion because I assumed most games would be cancelled, but here is the scheduled for tonight:

 

Conner at Holmes

Trinity at Newcath (CANCELLED)

Simon Kenton at Covcath

Cooper at Dixie

Campbell Co at Boone Co

St Henry at Ryle

 

If you know of any of those games being cancelled, please post it in here. I was told that Boone Co usually waits until 1 to make an announcement so the games involving BCPS schools aren't cancelled yet.

Nice job as always!!

Boone County Schools @Boone_County

· 32m 32 minutes ago

Due to weather all evening activities at all Boone County Schools scheduled for Tuesday February 17th have been CANCELLED.

Thanks for the write up. Lot of moving and shaking going on at the top. I'm not sure about dropping CCH all the way down to #3 after 1 loss. But it makes for good conversation.

Boone County Schools @Boone_County

· 32m 32 minutes ago

Due to weather all evening activities at all Boone County Schools scheduled for Tuesday February 17th have been CANCELLED.

Bummer.

Good work, Walter.

Thanks for the write up. Lot of moving and shaking going on at the top. I'm not sure about dropping CCH all the way down to #3 after 1 loss. But it makes for good conversation.

 

They got beat by 15...hard to argue they should still be ranked ahead of Dixie.

 

Should Boone not jump Holmes, even though Holmes only other two region loses are to Covcath and Newcath, and they beat Dixie, at Dixie without their 4th leading scorer playing?

 

If this poll were ranked on the entire season:

 

1. Covcath

2. Newcath

3. Holmes

4. Dixie Heights

5. Boone County

6. Cooper

 

Dixie is the wildcard at #4 because they haven't had their entire team much this year...I think the Covcath game might have been the first time all season that they had the "expected" starting lineup and bench together healthy

They got beat by 15...hard to argue they should still be ranked ahead of Dixie.

 

Should Boone not jump Holmes, even though Holmes only other two region loses are to Covcath and Newcath, and they beat Dixie, at Dixie without their 4th leading scorer playing?

 

If this poll were ranked on the entire season:

 

1. Covcath

2. Newcath

3. Holmes

4. Dixie Heights

5. Boone County

6. Cooper

 

Dixie is the wildcard at #4 because they haven't had their entire team much this year...I think the Covcath game might have been the first time all season that they had the "expected" starting lineup and bench together healthy

 

So is your latest poll just based on the last week of games or on the year as a whole?

I always thought it was based on work done year to date. If its the last week, then I agree. If its for the whole year, then I like the top 6 how you have them listed above.

So is your latest poll just based on the last week of games or on the year as a whole?

I always thought it was based on work done year to date. If its the last week, then I agree. If its for the whole year, then I like the top 6 how you have them listed above.

 

My rankings change week to week depending on results from the games. That is why Holy Cross jumped Conner this week and St Henry is ahead of the Cougars as well. Conner beat St Henry but that was back in the first week or two of the regular season.

 

Realistically, if the poll were ranked on the entire season, an argument could be made for Newcath at #1 (even with the Covcath loss) for how they have dominated every team not named Holmes or Covcath. In their 16 region wins, the average margin of victory is 36.6. Holmes is the only 9th region team to stay within 10 of the Breds, with Covcath obviously beating them back on January 16th.

My rankings change week to week depending on results from the games. That is why Holy Cross jumped Conner this week and St Henry is ahead of the Cougars as well. Conner beat St Henry but that was back in the first week or two of the regular season.

 

Realistically, if the poll were ranked on the entire season, an argument could be made for Newcath at #1 (even with the Covcath loss) for how they have dominated every team not named Holmes or Covcath. In their 16 region wins, the average margin of victory is 36.6. Holmes is the only 9th region team to stay within 10 of the Breds, with Covcath obviously beating them back on January 16th.

 

Just for :poop:'s & giggles......since I got nothing to do to night. :lol2:

 

Avg. margin of victory vs. common opponents

(RC) = running clock

 

CovCath 24.6

NewCath 35.7

 

CovCath beat Holmes by 12, NewCath beat Holmes by 6

CovCath beat Boone Co. by 14, NewCath beat Boone Co. by 32 (RC)

CovCath beat Holy Cross by 18, NewCath beat Holy Cross by 36 (RC)

CovCath beat St. Henry by (28 RC?), NewCath beat St. Henry by 32 & 41 (All A) (both RC)

CovCath beat Bellevue by 64 (RC), NewCath beat Bellevue by 39 (RC)

CovCath beat Highlands by 33 (RC), NewCath beat Highlands by 40 (RC)

CovCath beat Beechwood by 20, NewCath beat Beechwood by 31 (All A) & 35 (both RC)

CovCath beat Cooper by 19, NewCath beat Cooper by 11

CovCath beat Newport by 14, NewCath beat Newport by 29 (RC)

CovCath lost to Dixie by 15, NewCath beat Dixie by 32

 

CovCath beat NewCath by 10, this is the only one that matters though.

Edited February 17, 201511 yr by Lawnboy13