Inside the 9th Region (12/7)

The weekly edition of "Inside the 9th Region" returns once again this season to Bluegrasspreps as we take a look at updated rankings and top performers each week in the 9th region.

While last season it took almost two months to name a new number one, this season we have a shake up in the rankings after just one week. Let's get right to it.

9th Region Top 10

1. Cooper (1-0)

Coach Sully's team kicked off the season with a convincing 67-54 home win over previous pre season #1, Covington Catholic. Sean McNeil led the Jags with 28 points, 9 rebounds but it was the overall guard play that is going to make this Cooper team so tough to beat inside the 9th Region. Junior Dante Hendrix finished with 8 points, with sophomores Adam Kunkel and Chris McNeil each contributed 9 points.

Overall: While at the end of the day this is simply an early December win that means nothing when March rolls around, there's no doubt that this Cooper team has the pieces to be a VERY GOOD team if they stay focused. Not only do they have the best set of guards in the region, they just might have the best player in the region as well, despite what college "scouts" might think.

Up Next: 12/8 at Conner; 12/11 at Holy Cross; 12/12 v West Jessamine at Asbury University

2. Covington Catholic (1-2)

It wasn't an ideal start to the season for the Colonels as they lost on the road to Cooper (67-54) and at home to Louisville Trinity (74-72 Overtime) but the Colonels did get one in the win column as they pummeled Ludlow (81-45) on Max Bishop Night. Through the first three games the Colonels have been paced by junior Cole Vonhandorf (14.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg), senior Andy Flood (12 ppg), and sophomore AJ Mayer (11.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg).

Overall: With Cole Vonhandorf getting off to a bit of a slow start, it has been the consistent play of sophomore AJ Mayer that has really jumped out. The sophomore had 10 pts, 10 rebounds against Cooper and then 18 points, 7 rebounds against Trinity. With Covcath being an inexperienced and young team compared to the previous two region championship teams in Park Hills, that is the type of contribution they will need each game to take pressure off the returning veterans, Vonhandorf and Flood. Despite the early season losses, this is still a very talented Covcath team.

Up Next: 12/8 at St Henry; 12/12 v Louisville Central

3. Newport Central Catholic (2-0)

Two games, two wins as the Breds defeated Dayton 92-39 and Lexington Catholic at the Legacy Nissan Classic 67-61. In the game against Dayton, Ben Weyer led Ron Dawn's squad with 23 points, 7 rebounds with sophomore Brennan Hall scoring 20 in his first varsity start. Luke Moeves and Brian Anderson also reached double figures with 14 and 12 points, respectively. It was another balanced effort by the Thoroughbreds in the win over Lexcath as Weyer poured in 19 points while grabbing 16 rebounds with Luke Moeves and Brennan Hall also reaching double figures at 14 and 11 points.

Overall: Weyer was expected to put up the kinds of numbers he has through the first two games. The biggest question surrounding this team was how would his supporting cast play to help him out? Everyone knew Moeves and Hall were talented young guys from last season's JV squad and limited varsity exposure but I think it is safe to assume that Newcath has a consistent trio of players to contend with and possibly beat anyone in the region. While it's still very early, Newcath just might be a little better than originally thought as they began the season at #5 in the preseason rankings but move up to #3 after just one week.

Up Next: 12/8 at Lloyd; 12/10 v Dixie Heights

4. Holmes (1-1)

The Bulldogs started the season with a tough 84-61 road loss to a ranked Henry Clay but rebounded nicely with a 64-54 home win over St Henry. In the Henry Clay loss, Markel McClendon led Holmes with 21 points, 5 rebounds. Senior Brandon Moore also reached double figures with 14 points. Against St Henry, McClendon once again led the Dogs with 29 points. Sophomore Raavai Commodore and senior Brennon Englemon fell just short of double figures with 9 points each, while Jaiden Green had another 8 point night.

Overall: Markel McClendon has been REALLY good for the Bulldogs through the first two games, averaging 25 ppg, but can they get enough help from the rest of the supporting cast to elevate them to another level? Junior Jaiden Green has been a nice surprise so far at 8 ppg, but consistency on offense is going to have to improve for this team for them to be successful. It was a struggle from outside this week as they were a combined 7 for 31.

Up Next: 12/8 v Bishop Brossart; 12/12 v Daviess County at Lexington Christian

5. Holy Cross (2-0)

The Indians are quietly going about their business with a returning veteran group as they started the season with two wins this past week over Boone County (71-59) and Lloyd (59-41). Leighton Schrand (20), Tyler Bezold (17), and Erich Jakubowski (12) all reached double figures in the Boone win, with Bezold and Schrand also leading the Indians in the Lloyd win as well with 15 and 12 points, respectively. Sophomore Nolan Schrand scored a 13 points in the Lloyd win.

Overall: Holy Cross has kind of been the overlooked team in the region through all the preseason talk. The Indians return 5 of their top 6 from last year's team and could be the team to watch as the next few weeks progress. This next week should give us a good idea how they stack up against the rest of NKY.

Up Next: 12/8 at South Oldham, 12/9 v Campbell Co; 12/11 v Cooper

6. Conner (3-0)

The Cougars started the season 3-0 for the second consecutive season with wins over Ludlow (72-47), St Henry (60-56), and East Jessamine (86-53). Spencer Hemmerich led coach Jim Hicks bunch with 20 points, 7 rebounds in the Ludlow win, followed by Michael Scott with 15 points and Alec Garnett with 10 points. Scott and Hemmerich once again paced the Cougars in the St Henry win with 18 and 16 points. It was once again the Hemmerich and Scott show in the East Jessamine game with 27 and 19 points.

Overall: Conner has the chance to pull an upset or two with the experience they return from last season's team. Hemmerich and Scott are as good as any other duo in the region when it comes to scoring, but as always, how well Conner defends will determine how successful they end up being.

7. Newport (0-2)

Rod Snapp has a very talented team but it was a frustrating first week as they fell to 0-2 with losses to Bishop Brossart (64-54) and Breathitt County (70-57). Through two games, Newport has been led by Ethan Snapp (15.5 ppg), Marcus Mullins (16 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Kedan Davis (10.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg), and Kam Covington (8 ppg, 9.5 rpg).

Overall: The record is somewhat misleading as the Wildcats have been without the services of sophomore point guard Rico Hollis, who is expected to be back December 11th. Hollis is the lead guard they are sorely missing to run the team and help the offense run with more chemistry and flow. Simply looking at the numbers, this is obviously a team that has multiple guys who can play. While they fell from 4 to 7 in this week's rankings, I wouldn't expect that to last too long once they get Hollis back.

Up Next: 12/8 v Boone Co; 12/12 v Rowan Co at Lexington Christian (Central Bank Classic)

8. Ryle (1-1)

Dave McFarland's squad kicked off the season with a 75-65 win over Grant County but fell to Cincinnati power Moeller, 59-43, in their second game this week. Tyrek Owens (17), Logan Turner (16), and Braden Cheesman (13) led the Raiders in the win over Grant Co with Jack Driscoll pulling down a game high 15 rebounds. In the loss to Moeller Jarod Webster was the only Raider to score in double figures with 13 points.

Overall: Ryle is going to have their ups and downs this season as they lack a true "go to scorer" but it is clear that Coach McFarland has a lot of different players who are capable of leading his team in scoring or rebounding on any given night.

Up Next: 12/8 v Simon Kenton; 12/11 at East Jessamine; 12/12 at Ludlow

9. St Henry (0-3)

The Cru had a rough opening week as they went winless with losses to Bishop Brossart (66-48), Conner (60-56), and Holmes (64-54). Adam Goetz averaged 17 ppg this week, while fellow senior Paul Wallenhorst averaged 12 ppg.

Overall: It has been a struggle for the Crusaders primarily because outside of Goetz and Wallenhorst, St Henry is lacking any other consistent scoring contributors. Goetz is good enough to keep the Cru in some games, but he will need to get help as the season progresses and this team becomes more experienced. Things don't get much easier for Dave Faust team this week.

Up Next: 12/8 v Covcath; 12/11 at Campbell Co

10. Dixie Heights (1-0)

The Colonels won their only game this week with a 44-40 win over Walton Verona behind 11 points from Reed Bradford and 10 points from sophomore Tyler Schreck.

Overall: Tough to get a read on Dixie this early in the season as they are one of the most inexperienced teams in the region after losing a senior class that included 7 of their top 8 from last year. Hunter Meyer has the ability to be one of the top players in the region next year and will have to play like that. It will be interesting to see what Dixie looks like when they get Holmes' transfer Ian Brolley eligible in mid December.

Up Next: 12/8 at Beechwood; 12/10 at Newcath

Surprise of the Week:

How about Villa Madonna starting the season 4-0 and winning the Berea Tip Off Classic? Regardless of the competition, this is a team that went 9-19 last season, so for head coach Nathan Dilts to get 4 wins in the first week of the season it is a great confidence booster for his players. Thomas Schutzman led the Blue Lightning by averaging 22 ppg on 19 of 28 shooting (68%).

Player of the Week

Even though Markel McClendon had games of 21 and 29 points, it's tough to argue against Sean McNeil who completely dominated the preseason #1 Colonels to the tune of 28 points, 9 rebounds on 12 of 15 shooting (8-10 FG, 4-5 3FG, 8-9 FT).

Game of the Week:

12/1: #1 Cooper at #5 Holy Cross

Edited December 7, 201510 yr by Walter