The first month of 9th region hoops is in the books and while there are still questions as far as rankings go, we have a much better idea where teams stand after the first few weeks of play. Let's take a look at this week's rankings and review the final week of 2015 action in the 9th region.

 

1. Covington Catholic (9-4)

 

The Colonels remain in the top spot after finishing runner up in Sarasota, Florida at the Suncoast Holiday Classic with a 68-43 loss to host Riverview, which features three Division 1 prospects and a #1 ranking in the large school division in the Sunshine State. How did the Colonels respond to their worse loss in the Scott Ruthsatz era? A 46 point win over Xavier commit, Quentin Goodin, and the Taylor County Cardinals. In that game, sophomore CJ Fredrick had a dominating performance with 28 points on 11-12 shooting from the field and a perfect 5 of 5 from beyond the arc.

 

Overall: Everyone knows the usual suspects in Cole VonHandorf and Andy Flood, but the trio of AJ Mayer, Aiden Ruthsatz, and CJ Fredrick are combining for 26 points, 11 rebounds per game. In case you didn't already know, this Covcath sophomore class is pretty good and are only going to get better as the season progresses and they continue to gain experience.

 

Up Next: 1/5 v Cincinnati Moeller; 1/8 at Conner; 1/9 at Winton Woods, OH

 

2. Holy Cross (9-4)

 

After starting the season 9-1, the Indians are looking to rebound in a big way from 3 consecutive losses to Lexington Catholic, Henry Clay, and Bishop Brossart. While the Lexcath and Henry Clay games were going to be tough to win in Lexington, the Bishop Brossart loss came as somewhat of a surprise. Holy Cross obviously is deserving of this week's #2 ranking but the question still remains...can they win a big game away from The Finn?

 

Overall: Tyler Bezold, Leighton Schrand, and Erich Jakubowski have been pretty good for the Indians so far and while they were a "run and gun" team the past two years, this year's team has been known for their defense and pressure. This coming week is a big week for the Indians as they play a tough home and away game.

 

Up Next: 1/5 at Conner; 1/8 v Holmes; 1/9 at Highlands

 

3. Cooper (11-1)

 

The Jags have now won 9 straight after winning the City of Middletown Holiday Classic with wins over Butler, Manual, and Eastern and a road win over St Henry, 54-36. Sean McNeil averaged 22 ppg and 9.5 rpg this past week, while sophomore Adam Kunkel scored a career high 28 points in the win over Butler.

 

Overall: Cooper is giving up an average of 48 ppg during their current 9 game winning streak. The most overlooked aspect of this Jags team? The fact that Adam Kunkel is currently averaging 17 ppg and looking like the best scoring sophomore in the region. Cooper might be at #3 this week but it's going to be hard to keep them here with how well they're playing.

 

Up Next: 1/5 v Cincinnati Elder (NKYSports.com Live Broadcast) ; 1/7 at Newport Central Catholic; 1/9 v Jay County, IN at Frankfort Civic Center

 

4. Newport Central Catholic (9-2)

 

Newcath enters this week coming off a 3-1 showing at the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic with wins over Kentucky Country Day, Western Hills, and West Jessamine, with the loss coming to 15th region favorite Lawrence County. While the loss was a tough one for the Breds, they closed out the week strong with wins by 17, 33, and 15 points.

 

Overall: After a full month, it's clear that this team has plenty of scorers around Ben Weyer in Brian and Eric Anderson, Brennan Hall, and Luke Moeves. The question now is can he get help on the boards? While Weyer is averaging 11 rebounds per game after pulling down 46 in 4 games this past week, nobody else on the team averages over 3 rebounds per game. That will have to change going forward if the Breds want to make a serious post season run.

 

Up Next: 1/7 v Cooper; 1/9 v Campbell County at Newport (NKYSports.com Live Broadcast)

 

5. Conner (9-1)

 

Coach Jim Hicks' team closed out 2015 by winning the Lloyd Memorial Invitational with wins over Ludlow, Dixie Heights, and Lloyd. Playing without Spencer Hemmerich, senior Alec Garnett averaged 15 ppg, 5 rpg in 3 games, while Michael Scott had 18 points in the opening round win and 21 in the championship game to lead the Cougars.

 

Overall: At the beginning of the season everyone knew Conner would be solid with what they returned in Hemmerich, Scott, Garnett, and Padgett. But I don't think anyone envisioned them being 9-1 heading in to the new year. Some might argue their schedule has played a role in that hot start, but regardless of competition the Cougars have won and won big in games they were supposed to win. We should know more about Conner after this week.

 

Up Next: 1/5 v Holy Cross; 1/8 v Covington Catholic; 1/9 v Glen Este at Newport

 

6. Holmes (6-5)

 

The Bulldogs have struggled to finish teams off and once again it came back to haunt them this past week as they finished 2-1 at the Lloyd Memorial Invitational with the loss coming to the host Juggernauts. Coach Listerman's team did rebound with an 11 point win over Dixie Heights, but still, this team could very easily be 10-1 heading in to January.

 

Overall: Why has it been such a struggle for Holmes to finish teams off? While Markel McClendon had another strong week with 24, 17, and 25 points, the rest of the team is still struggling with consistency. Sophomore Raavai Commodore had a decent week with a 12 point and 9 point game, but those types of games need to be what we see every night from him. Missed free throws and turnovers continue to come back and hurt the Bulldogs in late game situations. The talent is there for them to beat the teams ranked ahead of them but they haven't quite put it all together yet.

 

Up Next: 1/5 v Scott; 1/8 at Holy Cross; 1/9 v Mason County

 

7. Newport (8-4)

 

The Wildcats won their opening round game in the Ashland Invitational Tournament over Harrison County (67-62), but lost to Elliott County (64-58) and George Rogers Clark (73-58) to close out their trip to Eastern Kentucky. Ethan Snapp averaged 16 ppg to lead the Wildcats while Kam Covington had rebounding games of 15, 10 and 9.

 

Overall: It's no secret that Newport might have lost one of their best players on the team in Marcus Mullins after an incident that occurred during halftime of their game against Elliott County. As of right now he isn't on Newport's team but that hasn't been confirmed or finalized yet. Still, Newport has plenty of talent with Davis and Snapp on the perimeter and Covington inside to be a really tough out. With Rico Hollis expected to re join the team and get medically cleared January 11th, this is still a team people need to worry about.

 

Up Next: 1/4 v Dayton; 1/5 at Beechwood; 1/7 v Highlands; 1/9 v Dixie Heights

 

8. Dixie Heights (9-4)

 

The Colonels went 2-2 this past week with wins over Rowan County and the Australia Travel Team and losses to Holmes and Conner.

 

Overall: Getting Ian Brolley eligible has been a nice boost to the Colonels offense as it gives the another legit scoring option to go with Reed Bradfield and Hunter Meyer, as well as Tyler Screck. This is still a young and somewhat inexperienced team but they continue to get better each week.

 

Up Next: 1/6 at Lockland, OH ; 1/8 at Ryle; 1/9 at Newport (NKYSports.com Live Broadcast)

 

9. Ryle (6-7)

 

The Raiders went 1-1 this past week with a 20 point win over Pendleton County and a surprise overtime loss to Beechwood. Tyrek Owens led Ryle with 16 points in the Pendelton County game, while Braden Cheesman led the Raiders with 18 points in the Beechwood loss.

 

Overall: It has been an up and down December for Coach Dave McFarland's team. As stated in recent weeks, the biggest issue is that this isn't a great shooting team (26% 3FG; 66% FT) so they have to rely on working the ball inside for easy baskets around the rim. The only issue with that is they also lack size. McFarland knows what he is doing though and will eventually find the right pieces.

 

Up Next: 1/5 v Boone Co; 1/8 v Dixie Heights

 

10. St Henry (2-9)

 

The Crusaders went 1-1 this week with a 64-45 win over Highlands and 54-36 loss to Cooper.

 

Overall: St Henry might be one of the best 2-9 teams in the state. Their record really doesn't do them justice as they have played a tough December schedule that has led to 9 losses.

 

Up Next: 1/5 at Cincinnati McNicholas; 1/8 v Lexington Catholic; 1/9 v North College Hill, OH at Newport

 

The Rest:

 

Lloyd (5-8)

Won 4 of their last 5, including an upset win over Holmes

 

Beechwood (9-4)

Have won 4 straight, including wins over Pendleton County and Ryle. Led by JT Toebbe. (14 ppg, 9 rpg)

 

Highlands (2-5)

Currently on a 3 game losing streak. Junior Kyle Finfrock is averaging close to a double double at 10 ppg, 8 rpg.

 

Boone County (1-10)

Picked up their first win in the LMIT over Ludlow, 73-58. Noah Schidler led the Rebels in that game with 30 points.

 

Ludlow (4-9)

Have three players averaging double figures in Marcus Roark (13.7), Michael Camarena (10.7), and Kalib Mitchell (10).

 

Dayton (7-4)

Beat Trinity (Whitesville) 62-44 to close out 2015 behind 19 points from Devin Bright. Draven Garcia and Phillip McDaniel also got in double figures with 13 points, each.

 

Bellevue (4-4)

Beat Calvary Christian (57-37) in their only game last week.

 

Villa Madonna (6-6)

2-6 in their last 8 after starting the season 4-0.

 

Heritage (0-8)

 

Cov Latin (1-7)

 

 

Player of the Week:

Ben Weyer- Newport Central Catholic

The Senior Bellarmine commit had 92 points, 46 rebounds in 4 games at the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic at Lexcath. Currently averaging 22 ppg, 11 rpg, Weyer has been not only the most dominant player in the 9th region, but one of the more dominant players in the state.

 

Games of the Week:

1/5: Holy Cross at Conner

1/8 Holmes at Holy Cross --- Covcath at Conner

Agree? Disagree?

Agree? Disagree?

 

I'd move Cooper to 2.

 

#10 is a toss up. I'd consider Beechwood.

I'd move Cooper to 2.

 

#10 is a toss up. I'd consider Beechwood.

 

Cooper is definitely playing much better than Holy Cross right now and I'm not sure the Indians could beat Cooper away from the Finn. I'd have no problem putting them at #2.

 

#10 was tough as well. An argument could also be made for Lloyd after their win over Holmes.

Cooper is definitely playing much better than Holy Cross right now and I'm not sure the Indians could beat Cooper away from the Finn. I'd have no problem putting them at #2.

 

#10 was tough as well. An argument could also be made for Lloyd after their win over Holmes.

 

Thought for sure I would see Lloyd in the top 10.

I would have Lloyd over St Henry. I'm not sure who St. Henry has played, but couldn't have been much tougher than Boone's first couple of weeks.

I would have Lloyd over St Henry. I'm not sure who St. Henry has played, but couldn't have been much tougher than Boone's first couple of weeks.

 

I agree that Lloyd would be over St Henry and possibly even Ryle, They sure didnt play an "easy" Dec schedule either with games against Owen Co, NCC, Conner, Holy Cross and Holmes twice.

I would also switch Holmes and Newport in the rankings. I feel like it's the top 5 teams then everyone else.

Luckily for all of us who enjoy high school basketball there is a lot of basketball left for us to enjoy and see how it all shakes out.

^^^Newport being behind Holmes had more to do with me not thinking they're a better team without Mullins, even if he did play limited minutes when they met a a couple weeks ago.

^^^Newport being behind Holmes had more to do with me not thinking they're a better team without Mullins, even if he did play limited minutes when they met a a couple weeks ago.

 

Makes sense, Is it confirmed either way if he is or will be returning

Makes sense, Is it confirmed either way if he is or will be returning

 

From the article...

As of right now he isn't on Newport's team but that hasn't been confirmed or finalized yet.

Another nice write up on the 9th Walter. Thank you.

I'd have Cooper at 2, Beechwood at 9 and Lloyd at 10 at this point.