It's finally that time of the year...it's cold outside but the gyms are about to heat up as the post season has arrived and we are now at the point of the season where you either go hard or go home. In this week's edition of "Inside the 9th Region" we will preview each district tournament, post the final 9th Region poll, as well as hand out some awards for regular season play.

 

As my man Jay Bilas would say in his best Jeezy impersonation: "Let's Get It!"

 

33rd District

 

Location: Cooper

 

Schedule:

February 23rd

8:00 Ryle (5-22) v Heritage (3-21)

 

February 25th

6:00- Ryle/Heritage Winner v Boone County (19-10)

8:00- Conner (12-14) v Cooper (16-8)

 

February 27th

7:00 Finals

 

Favorite:

Boone County received the number one seed on a coin flip but are coming in off an 18 point loss to Dixie Heights in the regular season finale. Although they lost two of their final three, Cooper also finished 5-1 in the district and won their final regular season game over Scott 63-42. With a healthy Sean McNeil and playing on their home court, the Jags should be the favorite to win the district and get back to the region tournament, after missing out on the fun last year. Cooper defends at a high level but won't have an easy game in the semi finals against a Conner squad that can get hot at any time from outside and possibly pull the upset. Boone County has nice wins against Holmes and Campbell County, but can the Rebels win a big game away from their own gym?

 

Prediction: Cooper over Boone Co

 

Players to Watch:

Cooper- Sean McNeil, Colin Hathorn, Jon Liechty, Dante Hendrix

Boone Co- Brenden Stanley, Junior Stockwell, Haven Borkowski, Brett Mayberry

Conner- Michael Scott, Jacob Barnes, Kyler Padgett, Spencer Hemmerich

Ryle- Max Lonneman, Cooper Scherr, Logan Turner, Tyrek Owens

Heritage- Sam Wood, isaiah Liske, Zach Siren

 

34th District

 

Location:

Villa Madonna

 

Schedule:

February 24th

6:00 Ludlow (14-13) v Villa Madonna (9-18)

7:00 St Henry (18-11) v Lloyd (10-18)

 

February 25

7:30 Ludlow/Villa Madonna Winner v Dixie Heights (20-7)

 

February 27th

8:15 Finals

 

Favorite:

Dixie is coming in as not only one of the hottest teams in the region (17-4 after starting season 0-3) but also one of the best defensive teams in the 9th region and state at 46 points per game. The Colonels finished undefeated in the district and will look to use their size and length defensively to give the opposition problems with their 2-3 zone. Austin Schreck is playing as well as any other player in the region right now and with the addition of Andrew Hedger and Drew Moore to the starting lineup, the Colonels are able to give multiple looks at both ends. While St Henry has the horses to potentially pull an upset, it isn't likely with the way the Red Colonels are playing right now.

 

Prediction: Dixie Heights over St Henry

 

Players to Watch:

Dixie Heights- Liam Rabe, Austin Schreck, Mitch Bolin, Drew Moore, Andrew Hedger

St Henry- Adam Goetz, Connor Kunstek, Paul Wallenhorst

Lloyd- Lashunn Townsend, Sterling Hamilton, Hayden Molitor

Ludlow- Kalib Mitchell, Marcus Roark, Matthew Gibson

Villa Madonna- Thomas Schutzman, Alex Kenkel

 

35th District

 

Location:

Holmes

 

Schedule:

February 23rd

8:00 Beechwood (9-15) v Covington Latin (2-19)

 

February 25th

6:30- Covington Latin/Beechwood Winner v Covington Catholic (24-5)

8:00- Holy Cross (13-13) v Holmes (20-7)

 

February 27th:

7:00 Finals

 

Favorite:

Covcath comes in as the number one seed after going undefeated in the district, including a 12 point win over Holmes in January on a neutral floor. The Colonels finished the season winning 13 of their final 14 games, but seemed to be exposed against Dixie Heights and their 2-3 zone. Still, you can't ignore the talent they have with the big 3 of Cooper Theobald, Cole VonHandorf, and Bo Schuh. When those three all play at a high level, the Colonels are extremely tough to beat.

 

Holmes has the talent and best player in the region with James Bolden, to go along with home court advantage, but will have to get by a Holy Cross team that they defeated by 18 during the regular season, first. And a rematch with the Blue Colonels, they would have to play one of their best games of the year to get the win.

 

This is probably the toughest district to get out of in the 9th region. How tough? The LOSER of this district has won the last two region tournaments.

 

Prediction: Holmes over CovCath

 

Players to Watch:

Covcath- Cooper Theobald, Cole Vonhandord, Andy Flood, Bo Schuh

Holmes- Markel McClendon, James Bolden, Marcus Mullins, Rod Avery

Holy Cross- Leighton Schrand, Erich Jakubowski, Tyler Bezold

Beechwood- Jacob Huff, Conner Brock, JT Toebbe

Cov Latin- Nick Readnour, Devin Davis, Robby Case

 

36th District

 

Location:

Newport

 

Schedule:

February 23rd

7:30 Highlands (7-16) v Dayton (8-19)

 

February 25th

6:00 Highlands/Dayton Winner v Newport Central Catholic (26-3)

7:30 Bellevue (15-12) v Newport (13-15)

 

February 27th

7:00 Finals

 

Favorite:

The Newcath Thoroughbreds dominated this district with an average margin of victory of 43 points and enter the post season with a 15 game winning streak. The Breds should roll through this district and will look to finally get over the hump and win the 9th region tournament as well. This is probably the easiest district to predict. Newport should put up a valiant effort in the finals on their home court but in the end. Newcath is simply too talented for the rest of the competition. Newcath is looking for their 7th consecutive district championship.

 

Prediction: Newcath over Newport

 

Players to Watch:

Newcath- Zack Pangallo, Grant Moeves, Ben Weyer, Drew McDonald

Newport- Ethan Snapp, Paul Price, Dom Joseph, Kam Covington

Highlands- Parker Harris, Mitchell Cain, Kenny Ball, Justin Weyer

Bellevue- Zach Barrett, Austin Woodyard

Dayton- Matt Grimme, Phillip McDaniel, Sam Brewer

 

Final 9th Region Top 10 Team Rankings

 

1. Newport Central Catholic

2. Dixie Heights

3. Covington Catholic

4. Holmes

5. Boone County

6. Cooper

7. St Henry

8. Newport

9. Holy Cross

10. Conner

 

9th Region Regular Season Awards

 

Player of the Year

James Bolden (20 PPG, 5 RPG, 5 APG) - Holmes

 

Best Rebounder:

Drew McDonald (16.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG) - Newcath

 

Defensive Player of The Year:

Ben Weyer (15.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG)

 

Mr Hustle:

Austin Schreck- Dixie Heights

 

Most Improved Player (2 way tie):

Junior Stockwell (16.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG)

Cooper Theobald (12.4 ppg, 3.7 RPG) - Averaged 2 PPG, 1 RPG as a junior

 

Best Underclassman (3 way tie):

Sean McNeil (17.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG) - Cooper

Cole VonHandorf (17.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG) - Covcath

Ben Weyer (15.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG)- Newcath

 

Coach of the Year:

Ron Dawn- Newport Central Catholic

 

Defensive Award:

Dixie Heights (46 PPG)

 

Offensive Award:

Newport Central Catholic (72 PPG)

Edited February 23, 201511 yr by Walter

Great write up Walter, as always.