Sweet 16 Preview: Covington Catholic Colonels

After winning the 9th region and state championship last season, the Colonels are back at Rupp once again to defend that state championship as the first team to win back to back 9th region titles since Holmes accomplished the feat by winning three straight from 2007 to 2009.

The Colonels almost didn't make it past the first round of the region tournament as they were a made free throw away with 2 seconds left from being eliminated by a scrappy Newport bunch. Covcath righted the ship and pulled away in overtime for a 57-49 win. In the semi finals of the region tournament, the Colonels once again got off to a slow start before taking control in the third quarter to knock off St Henry 72-53.

For the third consecutive year, the 9th region finals pitted Covington Catholic against the Holmes Bulldogs. But much like last year, Covcath took control late and sealed the deal with free throws to knock off Holmes for the third time this season, with a 45-37 win.

All season long, Covcath has been known as a tough team that makes you work for everything at both ends of the floor. The Colonels are disciplined, share the ball well, and have depth to throw multiple defensive looks at the opposition.

This year's version of the Colonels are led by 6'0 sophomore Cole Vonhandorf, who enters the tournament averaging 17.9 points per game. The talented lefty was named MVP of the 9th region tournament and is as good as they come when looking at the state as a whole for 2017. While Vonhandorf is a tough guard that attacks the rim with aggression, it is pull up mid range game that makes him so deadly and tough to defend.

Complimenting Vonhandorf in the back court is 6'1 senior Cooper Theobald, who has completely transformed his attitude and game after only averaging 2 points per game last season. Theobald is a long, athletic point guard who averages 12.4 ppg and 3.8 rpg. While he can knock down the occasional three pointer, Theobald is at his best when attacking the rim to draw fouls and get to the line, where he is a 78 percent free throw shooter.

In the front court, and the key to the Colonels success, is 6'6 senior forward Bo Schuh.

Schuh is a long, athletic forward that has the ability to stretch the defense with the occasional three or mid range jumper, but is at his best when going to the rim. Schuh comes in to the tournament averaging 13.4 ppg and 7 rpg and will be looked upon to control the paint as the Colonels aren't very big across the board outside of Schuh.

When the above three players play to their potential and do so at the same time, Covcath is as good as any team in the state and will be able to compete with anyone in this tournament. When the Colonels get a contribution from 6'4 junior forward, Andy Flood, the Colonels are a threat to repeat as state champions.

Flood has had some hype surrounding him since his freshman year, but it wasn't until mid way through the season that people really started to take notice of the underrated junior. Flood averages 7.6 ppg but it is his defense and ability to guard any of the perimter positions with his length that make him so valuable to head coach Scott Ruthsatz.

Much like last year's team, the Colonels once again feature a do it all, undersized blue collar forward to compliment Schuh in 6'2 senior Grant Romes. While Romes only averages 3.5 ppg and 3.7 rpg, it is his presence that makes him so tough. The senior affects the game in multiple ways at both ends with timely baskets and key stops or rebounds.

The biggest difference in this year's version of the Blue Colonels and last year's is the overall depth that they have. Coach Scott Ruthsatz will go several players deep in to his bench by inserting 6'1 senior guard Matt Schumate (3.6 ppg), 6'0 guard Noah Lenhof, 6'5 junior forward Will Heppler, as well as 6'1 freshman guard AJ Mayer in spot situations.

This year's team may not have the overall talent that last year's team had, but they are much deeper and really dig in defensively, giving up just 50 points per game. The one area of concern for this team entering the tournament is their three point shooting. Late in the season teams were able to use a zone to slow the Colonels down, as they shoot just 28% from beyond the arc. Covcath thrives on attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line, where they are 74% as a team.

The X factor for the Colonels? The best damn student section in the state. Get ready Rupp Arena.