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2015 9th Region Tournament Preview

Walter
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Who wins?  

38 members have voted

  1. 1. Who wins?

    • Covcath
      16
    • Newcath
      13
    • Dixie Heights
      2
    • Holmes
      2
    • Cooper
      5
    • Boone Co
      0
    • St Henry
      0
    • Newport
      0

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Walter

Walter

Posted
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Over the years, the 9th Region Tournament has provided some of the most exciting games in the state. "The Greatest Show on Earth," as they called it several years ago, is back once again and this year should prove to be yet another fun and exciting event. Let's jump right in to the details and preview the match ups.

 

Schedule:

 

Wednesday March 4th

6:30 Covcath v Newport

8:00 Cooper v St Henry

 

Friday March 6th

6:30 Newcath v Holmes

8:00 Dixie Heights v Boone Co

 

Sunday March 8th

12:00 Semi Final #1

1:30 Semi Final #2

 

Monday March 9th

7:00 Finals

 

The Match Ups

 

Game 1: Covcath (26-5) v Newport (14-16)

After a sluggish end to the regular season, that included the only loss in 9th region play for the Blue Colonels, Covcath was absolutely dominant in the 35th district tournament with a 69-32 win over Beechwood and 80-53 win over Holmes. The trio of Cole Vonhandorf, Bo Schuh, and Cooper Theobald combined for 45 and 46 points in the two wins, while Andy Flood had one of the best performances of his career with 22 points in the finals against Holmes.

 

In the first meeting between these two, Covcath came away with a 64-49 win on the road, behind 19 points from Bo Schuh and 17 points from Cooper Theobald. While Newport might be able to keep it close early, don't expect a let down for the Blue Colonels in this first game. They are rolling right now and that should continue in to the semi finals.

 

Prediction:

Covcath over Newport

 

Game 2: Cooper (18-8) v St Henry (19-12)

Cooper enters the region tournament as the 33rd district champions, after defeating Boone County 48-43 in the finals and Conner (57-43), in the semi finals. St Henry enters the 9th Region Tournament as the 34th district runner up, suffering a 52-39 loss to Dixie Heights in the finals.

 

Cooper defeated St Henry 46-39 back on February 6th without the services of senior Blake Dickerson and leading scorer Sean McNeil and should enter this game as the favorite to advance. One thing that has become a constant with Cooper over the years is how well they play defense and that should be a trend we continue to see as Cooper looks for their first region championship appearance in school history. The key lies in how well the front court duo of Jon Liechty and Colin Hathorn play. Guard play has been consistent all year with the trio of McNeil, Dante Hendrix, and Adam Kunkel, with senior Pat Dragan emerging with McNeil out with an injury.

 

St Henry has great core of players led by senior big man Connor Kunstek and junior point guard Adam Goetz, but can they get enough help from Paul Wallenhorst and Alex Green to pull a slight upset? St Henry has lost several games this year due to a lack of depth.

 

Prediction:

Cooper over St Henry

 

Game 3: Newport Catholic (28-3) v Holmes (21-8)

Newcath enters the region tournament as the 36th district champions after rolling through district play with wins over Highlands (67-28) and Newport (56-23). Holmes, on the other hand, defeated Holy Cross 77-66 and then was absolutely dominated by Covcath in the finals, 80-53..

 

While the Breds won the first meeting during the regular season, 58-52, that isn't a great indication as to what will happen in this game as Holmes was without senior forward Rod Avery, who sat out the entire game.

 

Newcath has the advantage inside with the duo of Drew McDonald and Ben Weyer, but Holmes' guards have the ability to really pressure Newcath in to some turnovers, as we saw in the first meeting when Newcath had 16 turnovers. The key for the Breds lies in senior point guard Zack Pangallo. He was instrumental in the Breds win in the first meeting with 16 points, and they will need him to play at that same level throughout the region tournament for Newcath to finally get over the hump and get out of the region.

 

Holmes, on the other hand, will have to play smart and make shots if they want to pull the mild upset. They finished 14-27 from the free throw line against Covcath in the finals and that simply can't happen against good teams like Newcath and Covcath. Defense has been a struggle for Holmes at times this season. If they want to advance in the region tournament, they need to start by playing at a high level at that end of the court.

 

Newcath is a slight favorite, having won 17 straight, but a Holmes upset wouldn't surprise me.

 

Prediction:

Newcath over Holmes

 

Game 4: Dixie Heights (22-7) v Boone County (20-11)

These two teams met in the regular season finale just two weeks ago, with Dixie winning 61-43. Dixie enters the region tournament as 34th district champions after defeating Ludlow 57-38 and St Henry 46-39. Boone Co blew out Ryle (69-31), but lost to Cooper (48-43), to get to this point.

 

Of all the teams in the region that Boone County could have drawn, this is likely the toughest match up for them because Dixie not only has the size in the post to match up with Junior Stockwell, with Mitch Bolin, but also have the bulk with Andrew Hedger. Austin Schreck dominated this game with a career high 32 points in the first game and there is an opportunity for him to have another big game in this one as Boone lacks depth to compete with a team like Dixie who can go 8 deep against any team in the region without a drop off.

 

Dixie comes in to the tournament having won 9 of their previous 11 and should be favored to advance to the semi finals.

 

Prediction:

Dixie over Boone

 

Ranking the Teams:

1. Covcath

2. Newcath

3. Dixie Heights

4. Holmes

5. Cooper

6. Boone County

7. St Henry

8. Newport

 

Players to Watch:

 

Covcath:

Cole Vonhandorf (17.5 ppg), Bo Schuh (13.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg), Cooper Theobald (12.5 ppg), Andy Flood (7.4 ppg)

 

 

Newcath:

Drew McDonald (16.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg); Ben Weyer (15.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Zack Pangallo (11.8 ppg), Grant Moeves (7.3 ppg)

 

Dixie Heights:

Austin Schreck (12.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg); Liam Rabe (11.3 ppg); Andrew Hedger (8.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Mitch Bolin ( 8 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

 

Holmes:

James Bolden (19.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Markel McClendon (14.9 ppg), Rod Avery (13.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Marcus Mullins (11 ppg, 4 rpg)

 

Cooper:

Sean McNeil (17.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg); Colin Hathorn (9.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg); Jon Liechty (8.4 ppg)

 

Boone County:

Junior Stockwell (16.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg); Brenden Stanley (14.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Haven Borkowski (11.4 ppg); Brett Mayberry (7.9 ppg)

 

St Henry:

Connor Kunstek, Adam Goetz, Paul Wallenhorst, Alex Green

 

Newport:

Ethan Snapp (18.7 ppg); Paul Price (12.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg); Kam Covington (7.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg); Kedan Davis (7.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

nees1212

nees1212

Posted
Posted

Are Friday night's game times correct? I've seen it listed in this order, but Riherds has it listed with Dixie/Boone first followed by NCC/Holmes.

Walter

Walter

Posted
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Posted
Are Friday night's game times correct? I've seen it listed in this order, but Riherds has it listed with Dixie/Boone first followed by NCC/Holmes.

 

I thought it was DH/BC first as well.

 

Dixie v Boone first is correct. I even read it that way but still mixed the times up.

Walter

Walter

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Was talking to a coach earlier...assuming we get the snow they're predicting, when will the games be made up?

 

I believe Boone and Kenton Co are already off tomorrow.

Catfan34

Catfan34

Posted
Posted

The key lies in how well the front court duo of Jon Liechty and Colin Hathorn play. Guard play has been consistent all year with the trio of McNeil, Dante Hendrix, and Adam Kunkel, with senior Pat Dragan emerging with McNeil out with an injury.

 

Hathorn and Dickerson are the front court with Phillips coming off the bench. Hendrix, McNeil and Liechty are the backcourt with Kunkel and Dragan coming off the bench.

 

I do agree with you about the front court duo being the key. If Hathorn and Dickerson stay out of foul trouble they are very good together. They both rebound very well and contest shots. Both can score if needed to. Hathorn is a bruiser on the inside. Dickerson can step outside and hit shots and is active on the glass for put backs. The kid doesn't force anything seems to just play his role.

 

The return of McNeil and Dickerson makes this a very dangerous team. Should be a great tournament!

two bad teams

two bad teams

Posted
Posted

9th Region Winner: NewCath

9th Region Runner Up: CovCath

 

As much as Dixie, Cooper, and even Boone have come along in recent weeks, I think its NCC vs CCH playing in the finals in what I believe will be a record 9th Region single game attendance. I believe Holmes just does not have enough and will not be a factor. NCC wins that opening game by double digits, gets by Dixie and meets CCH in the finals. Same type of opening two games for CCH. (Big over Newport, then gets by Cooper).

 

The two teams (NCC and CCH) are ranked high in the state and I look for the winner to go deep in the state tourney. Both are battle tested with tough schedules.

 

I am predicting NCC to WIN the region, and go on to WIN STATE, capturing their first ever state basketball championship. You heard it here first.

 

Since I have "Dual Citizenship" with NCC and CCH I would be happy with either team going down state. Whatever happens, I will be down there rooting for the 9th Region Champion, whomever it is. See you at the Hyatt bar :)

 

Good luck to all teams.

Jack of all Trades

Jack of all Trades

Posted
Posted
Tonight's games are cancelled. Games will be played on Saturday Cov Cath at noon followed by Cooper vs St. Henry at 1:30.

 

So is this going to be a clear the gym type situation since the girls semis are Saturday as well?

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