With basketball season less than a week away, it's time to dive in to the 9th region and see which teams will compete for the region and state championship as well as take a look at the top players that will either emerge or continue to make a name for themselves with last year's seniors departing.

 

If you didn't notice, yes...9th region and state championship were mentioned in the same sentence. What was once considered a long shot, has now become a serious reality on a yearly basis with the past three region champions winning a state championship (Covcath- 2014.... #salute ) and advancing to the state semi finals before losing to the eventual state champion (Covcath 2015- Owensboro ; Newcath 2016- Dunbar).

 

Here is how the region looks heading in to the 2016-2017 season.

 

Team Rankings

 

1. Cooper

 

Last Season: 24-5 (Lost in 9th Region 1st Round)

 

Coach Tim Sullivan has the most talented team that he has ever had at Cooper. Led by 6'5 Bellarmine commit, Sean McNeil, the Jaguars will be a top 10 team in the state and have arguably the best starting 5 in the region. The Jags backcourt will consist of 6'2 reigning defensive player of the year, Dante Hendrix (Indiana State football commit), 6'0 sharp shooter Chris McNeil (8.4 ppg as a sophomore), and 6'3 junior Adam Kunkel who currently holds Division I offers from Samford and Central Arkansas after a strong summer on the AAU circuit. McNeil and Kunkel return as the Jags two leading scorers after averaging 16.1 and 15.3 ppg, respectively, last season.

 

What about their lack of depth? That is what most outside of Union are probably thinking but the Jags got a big boost when 6'2 junior Noah Schidler (9 ppg, 4 rpg, 40% 3FG as a sophomore) transferred over from Boone County during the summer. Schidler along with fellow junior, Brayden Runion, give the Jags a solid 7 man rotation out on the perimeter. Runion is the nephew of current Pittsburgh Steelers' safety Mike Mitchell.

 

In the front court, 6'5 sophomore Blaine Walters should have a breakout year and start to make a name for himself as a long, athletic kid that can stretch the floor with his outside shooting ability as well as strength inside. Daniel Wasser also returns in the front court as a 6'5 wide bodied senior who can bang inside and provide minutes around the rim to keep McNeil from having to play out of position in the post for an entire game.

 

Cooper is traditionally one of the better defensive teams in the region, but with their firepower offensively, they add a dimension they have lacked on previous teams Tim Sullivan has had. It won't be easy, but if Cooper stays healthy, there is no reason to think they can't get out of the region for the first time in the program's short history. With appearances in the King of the Bluegrass at Fairdale and Traditional Bank Classic at Lexcath, it's clear Coach Sullivan thinks his team can compete with anyone and everyone this season.

 

2. Covington Catholic

 

Last Season: 28-7 (Lost in 9th Region Finals

 

 

Much like Tim Sullivan at Cooper, Scott Ruthsatz also has what should be the most talented team that he has had since taking over at Covcath in 2011. The Colonels enter this season as a top 10 team in the state and a make up of size, versatility, and talent that will give opponents a lot of different looks to game plan for.

 

Leading the way for the Colonels this season will be a pair of guards in 6'2 senior Cole Vonhandorf and 6'3 junior CJ Fredrick. VonHandorf, who recently committed to D2 Fairmont State, is coming off a junior campaign in which he averaged 16,9 ppg and 3.7 rpg, while Fredrick averaged 10.7 ppg (40% 3FG, 52% FG) as a sophomore and after a strong summer on the AAU circuit with Indy Elite, now holds offers from Ball State, Iowa, Northern Kentucky, Miami (OH), and Winthrop, with interest from Butler and Xavier.

 

Joining those two as starters from last year's squad are junior point guard Aiden Ruthsatz (7.7 ppg) and one of the most underrated players in the region in 6'3 junior AJ Mayer (9.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg), who is also the starting quarterback for a very good Covcath football team.

 

With Andy Flood gone, a fifth option will have to emerge. Whether that ends up being 6'10 junior Jake Walter, who is also receiving Division I interest, is still left to be seen but Scott Ruthsatz has the luxury of having multiple players in his senior and junior class, as well as talented sophomores Nick Thelen and Jack Davin as options to fill the void left by Flood.

 

Since Scott Ruthsatz took over the Covcath program in 2011, the Colonels have appeared in 4 of 5 region finals with a state championship and state semi final appearance. Expectations will once again be high in Park Hills for the Colonels with appearances in the King of the Bluegrass, Flyin to the Hoop (Dayton, OH), as well as a trip to New Jersey to play in the Skyline Classic at St. Anthony, and games against Dunbar and Cincinnati Moeller to help prepare them for a deep post season run.

 

3. Dixie Heights

 

Last Season: 19-11 (Lost in 9th Region 1st Round)

 

The Colonels exceeded last year’s expectations and enter this season ranked #3 in the preseason poll with 4 starters returning.

 

6’2 senior Hunter Meyer and 6’6 senior Reed Bradfield both averaged 12 ppg, 5 rpg last season and should form one of the best inside outside duos in the region after getting valuable experience as leaders of this team last season.

 

Joining those two are seniors RJ Schweitzer and Cameron Thornberry who both averaged 5 ppg and shot right around 40% from outside. Being able to consistently knock down the 3 ball will be key for both of those two to keep opposing teams from sagging down to double Bradfield in the post.

 

Junior Tyler Schreck averaged 4 ppg, 4 rpg but will see an expanded role this season with AJ Plitzuweit moving to South Dakota and Ian Brolley graduating.

 

This will be one of the more experienced teams in the region, with a roster that is dominated by juniors and seniors. How well their bench plays will determine how good this team ends up being.

 

4. Newport Central Catholic

 

Last Season: 30-5 (Lost in State Semi Finals)

 

A new era will begin on the hill as long time assistant Ken Collopy will take over as head coach this season for the retired Ron Dawn. 9th Region player of the year and Mr Basketball finalist Ben Weyer is gone but the Breds should return enough talent to continue to remain one of the top teams in the region.

 

Leading the Breds this year will be 6’0 junior point guard Brennan Hall and 6’2 senior guard Luke Moeves. Both players averaged 12 ppg last season while shooting 43% and 42% from beyond the arc. That consistency will be needed as they try to transition freshman guard Caleb Jefferson in to a new role after averaging 6 ppg as an 8th grader at Beechwood. Once those three get back from football, they should form one of the better trios in the area.

 

Much like previous years, there is always the question of who else returns and steps up for a team that didn’t have many other consistent varsity contributors the previous season. Junior Stevie Pangallo will provide a solid secondary ball handler with Austin Neff and Trent Wrobleski adding guard depth while 6’5 Brendan Luken and 6’6 Trey Wurtz anchor the post.

 

 

5. Holmes

 

Last Season: 13-12 (Lost in 35th District Semi Finals)

 

It was a rare year for the Bulldogs last season as they finished just one game over .500 while also missing the region tournament for the first time in 12 years . Markel McClendon and his 19 ppg are gone along with 4 other seniors, so they Bulldogs should be expected to struggle again this year as well, right?

 

That is the common theme among those outside of Covington but the Bulldogs should be better than most think as they have one of the best junior trios in the region in 5’11 LJ Miller, 6’1 Newport transfer Rico Hollis, and 6’2 Raavai Commodore. Miller has the athleticism and quickness as a lead guard to potentially be the Bulldogs leading scorer while Commodore averaged 6 ppg on a senior laden Holmes team last year and Hollis also averaged 6 ppg through 13 games for Newport.

 

Despite the quickness and athleticism that the Dogs have in the backcourt, it is the front court play of 6’5 senior Jaiden Greene that will determine how good this team can be. Greene averaged 6 ppg and 5 rpg last season but will be expected to improve on those numbers as the leader of this team and one of only two seniors on the Bulldogs roster.

6’3 juniors Davion Saxon and Raekwon Sterling are also expected to be key contributors in the front court along with 6’3 sophomore Lawrence Washington.

 

This team will likely struggle to score at times with no consistent outside threat but defensively they should be able to use their quickness and athleticism to pressure the ball and create turnovers for easy baskets at the other end.

 

6. Conner

 

Last Season: 18-11 (Lost in 9th Region Semi Finals)

 

In his first year as new head coach at Conner, Matt Otte will be tasked with finding a replacement for four of last season’s top 6 scorers, including leading scorer Michael Scott. The Cougars have a good starting point, however, with 6’2 senior Spencer Hemmerich who averaged 15 ppg and 4 rpg during his junior year. Senior Travis Connelly returns as well after averaging 8.5 ppg last year as the Cougars 3rd leading scorer.

 

Despite averaging less than 3 ppg, seniors Jake Suprenant, Josh Ostertag, and Mason Gambrel will likely see expanded roles after getting varsity experience last season as juniors. Junior Tanner Craddock and freshman Jared Hicks should also provide quality guard depth throughout the season.

 

Conner returns 6 seniors total so will have a veteran group, but improving on the defensive end and learning how to work together within a new system will be the biggest questions early on.

 

7. Lloyd

 

Last Season: 12-17 (Lost in 34th District Semi Finals)

 

The Juggs lose three of their top 5 scorers from last season but head coach Mike Key returns his top 2 scorers with 6’5 junior Sterling Hamilton (14 ppg, 6 rpg) and 5’11 senior Devin McClendon (8 ppg) as well as five other players who got meaningful varsity minutes and experience.

 

6’3 junior guard Jamal Neal and 6’5 junior forward Evan Molitor give the Juggs size and length, while 5’11 senior guard LaShunn Townsend and 6’1 senior forward Elijah Jouett add depth and athleticism on the perimeter. Williamstown transfer Derik Cipollone will also look to find a role this season in blue and gold.

 

Mike Key on this year’s team:

“We will have length to guard which should help us to disrupt teams. We will have several players that we can put on the floor that can be scoring threats. This should make teams have to guard us honest and not key on one or two players. This should be one of the best teams we have had in a while. We have a high level of skill and experience. If we can learn to be unselfish in the scoring column and play together defensively we can be very good. We want to compete for the ALL A this year and also the District championships and make it to NKU.”

 

8. Ryle

 

Last Season: 10-17 (Lost in 33rd District Semi Finals)

 

The Raiders lose four seniors from last year’s team, including their two leading scorers but return four seniors this year who are more than capable of filling the void in Braden Cheesman, Aaron O’Hara, Jarod Webster, and Austin McDaniel. Cheesman was the third leading scorer for last year’s team at 8.5 ppg, while O’Hara and Webster averaged 7.6 and 5.1 ppg, respectively.

 

Ryle should also get a big boost from sophomore Vince Rankin who has benefitted greatly from a strong summer both on the court and in the weight room to completely transform his body and game.

 

This is a very unselfish group but someone will have to step up in that alpha role as a lead scorer if the Raiders want to improve on last year’s record.

 

9. St Henry

 

Last Season: 14-17 (Lost in 9th Region First Round)

 

This is probably one of the toughest teams to predict every year as there are always so many unknowns for Coach Dave Faust team. The Cru will have to replace their two leading scorers in Adam Goetz and Paul Wallinghorst but do return Senior Stephen Maley, who averaged 11 ppg as the team’s third leading scorer.

 

Seniors Logan Beechem and Brady Meiman along with juniors Elliott Berling (5 ppg) and Peyton Machcinski will likely see an expanded role this year to try to make up for what the Cru lost to graduation.

 

Coach Dave Faust on this year’s team:

“We will be very small this year; we will have to be fundamentally sound on defense to have success.”

 

10. Holy Cross

 

Last Season: 23-9 (Lost in 9th Region Semi Finals)

 

I know what some are probably thinking.. “They lost 6 seniors, including their three leading scorers…they’re inexperienced.” That may be true but Holy Cross should have one of the better post players in the region, or atleast one of the most physical athletes in 6’2 Senior forward Derrick Barnes.

 

Head Coach Ryan Schrand will have seniors Will Volpenhein and Jaylin Williams as well as junior Nolan Schrand returning along side Barnes as players who saw consistent varsity minutes last season.

 

Senior Joey Meinze should see an expanded role this season along with juniors Parker Zimmerman and Jordan Niehaus, as well as a pair of talented sophomores in Ty Houston and Spencer Macke.

 

While inexperience and blending all of the new players together will take time, shooting and defense should be a strength of this team with their depth.

 

11. Highlands

 

Last Season: 7-17 (Lost in 36th District Semi Finals)

 

It was a rough season last year for the Bluebirds and they will have to replace 5 seniors, but things should improve as head coach Kevin Listerman returns three of his top 4 scorers from that team in senior center Kyle Finfrock (9.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg), senior forward Luke LaFrange (6.4 ppg) and junior guard Braden Posey (6.3 ppg).

 

Finfrock returns as one of the top rebounders in the region and will be looked upon as the team leader.

 

The Birds also have two new faces in 6’2 Covcath transfer Brent Angel and 5’11 Jupiter (FL) transfer Bryce Traylor, which adds depth and allows the Birds to push the tempo more as a veteran group.

 

Jacob Noe, Adam Uhlenbrock, and Carl Schoellman will be counted on to provide consistent perimeter shooting while Elliott Schuett and Griffin Huber give the Birds two athletic forwards.

 

12. Newport

 

Last Season: 17-15 (Lost in 9th Region 1st Round)

 

The Wildcats lose Ethan Snapp and Kedan Davis to graduation, as well as the 33 ppg and 10 rpg that they combined for last season. Head Coach Rod Snapp will likely turn to 5’10 junior guard MeKell Burries and 6’6 senior forward Anthony Harmon to fill some of the void left by those two. 6’2 senior Najee Williams also returns in the front court but younger brother Najae Williams (junior) and sophomore Makhi McGuire will both have to grow up in a hurry if the Wildcats want to get back to the region tournament for a third consecutive season.

 

13. Beechwood

 

Last Season: 15-14 (Lost in 35th District Semi Finals)

 

Erik Goetz has some nice young talent coming up through the system but there are a lot of questions with this year’s team, with Junior Ben Toebbe (12 ppg, 6 rpg) as the only returning starter. Toebbe returns as one of the most underrated juniors in the region but how quick Gannon Huff and Cole Hicks adjust to expanded roles will determine how successful this Tigers team can be.

 

14. Boone County

 

Last Season: 5-24 (Lost in 33rd District Semi Finals)

 

Coach Greg McQueary’s squad won just 5 games last season and lost their leading scorer, Noah Schidler (now at Cooper), from that team but the Rebels should return enough experience and depth to see an improvement this season. Ethan will lead this year’s team…three of them. Senior Ethan Nyman (7.6 ppg 41% 3FG) returns along with a pair of juniors, Ethan Haynes (7.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Ethan Robbins (5.2 ppg). Haynes missed the last three games of the last season due to injury, but returns as an inside /outside scoring threat with length to defend and rebound. Nyman missed the first month of practice but should eventually provide a long range scoring threat, while Robbins will be counted on to rebound and score consistently.

 

Joining those 3 will be senior Justin Bowman (6.5 ppg), who returns as the most experienced guard and is expected to have his best season yet if he can finish consistently and make good decisions with and without the ball.

 

Coach McQueary on this year’s team:

 

“In order to be successful this team must buy in to playing team defense and rebounding. Playing hard in those facets of the game will transfer to all phases of the game. On offense, it is imperative we get player movement and ball movement with good shot selection.”

 

15. Villa Madonna

 

Last Season: 12-17 (Lost in 34th District Semi Finals)

 

If there was ever a year to keep a close eye on the Blue Lightning, this is the year. Coach Nathan Dilts returns a veteran group of 8 letter winners that feature length, athleticism, and talent, led by the school’s 2nd all time leading scorer and 3 time All NKAC Division 3 All Star, Thomas Schutzman. The 5’10 senior guard averaged 15 ppg last season while also being the team’s second leading rebounder and is the clear leader and floor general of this team.

Schutzman will be joined by undersized but versatile 5’11 senior forward Will Martin (7 ppg), 6’0 junior guard and defensive stopper Rob Spricker, and 5’10 junior guard Sean McIntyre, who was the team’s second leading scorer last year at 10 ppg, while also providing a consistent outside threat.

 

Coach Dilts on this year’s team:

“We have only had three seniors over the last three years so we are playing guys with a lot of experience. We know our system and know what we like to do. We'll count on defending well and forcing turnovers and bad shots by the opposition. We will have to, and we'll have to shoot it well, because with our tallest player being 6'3" we struggle to have any kind of post game. We're working on being more consistent with our execution throughout games, because that's what it's going to take to beat the teams we want to beat.

We're going to take this thing one at a time, but we believe we have the talent and ability this season to make a run at the NKAC division three championship. We also feel like we can push some teams in our districts, and have the opportunity to make a bit of a run in the All A. We have a veteran group that has high expectations for themselves for this year. We hope to be one of the better small school teams around. ”

 

15. Dayton

 

Last Season: 13-15

 

The Green Devils return their two leading scorers from last season in seniors Draven Garcia (11.8 ppg) and Adrian Hall (9.4 ppg) as well senior Sam Brewer, who averaged 6 ppg.

 

16. Bellevue

 

Last Season: 16-15

 

Senior Jason Craig (7.6 ppg) and junior Brett Maehren (7.3 ppg) return as the Tigers’ two leading scorers from last season but depth will be a serious issue with the departure of 7 seniors.

 

17. Ludlow

 

Last Season: 13-17 (Lost in 34th District Semi Finals)

 

Much like Bellevue, depth is a concern for Ludlow this season as the Panthers lost 7 seniors from last year’s team. Junior Justin Blackburn should assume the role as the new team leader after averaging 5 ppg as a sophomore.

 

18. Heritage Academy

 

Last Season: 0-25

 

Heritage will try to snap a 30 game losing streak this season.

 

Pre-season Top 10 Players

 

1. Sean McNeil- 6’5 Senior G Cooper

McNeil averaged 16 ppg, 8 rpg as a junior and has the ability to be the most dominant player in the region this season with his size, athleticism, and strength. At 6’5, Sean can score at all three levels at a high level and handles the ball well for his size, which allows him to play in the post or out on the wing in Cooper’s open offense. Shooting 40% a year ago, he can knock down the outside shot and is almost automatic from the free throw line. (84% as a sophomore, 88% as a junior) If McNeil can stay healthy, he will be extremely tough to handle at both ends of the floor this season because of his versatility.

 

2. CJ Fredrick- 6’3 Junior G Covcath

It’s not often that you see a sophomore at Covcath finish second on the team in scoring (10.7 ppg last season) and that strong sophomore season carried over in to the summer as the 6’4 wing picked up offers from Northern Kentucky, Miami (OH), Winthrop, Ball State, and Iowa while playing with his Indy Elite AAU team. CJ attacks the rim with strength and has improved his mid range game off the bounce, while also showing a consistent outside shot. What makes him so good? Not only is he versatile at both ends, but he has great awareness and court vision and is a great passer. With the ability to play the 1 thru 4, Fredrick will be a match up problem for most teams that step on the court with Covcath.

 

3. Adam Kunkel- 6’3 Junior G Cooper

Kunkel is arguably the best scoring guard in the region this season. The long, athletic wing averaged 15 ppg last season, finishing 51% from the field and 50% from outside. Kunkel is a vocal leader and has deceptive quickness off the bounce, with the ability to take his man off the dribble and either pull up for a jumper or finish through contact at the rim. Those attributes are why he currently holds offers from Samford and Central Arkansas, with other MAC level interest from schools such as Miami (OH). The one area the talented junior doesn’t get enough credit is his defensive ability.

 

4. Cole VonHandorf- 6’2 Senior G Covcath

VonHandorf enters his 5th year of varsity basketball as the most accomplished player in the region with 3 straight region final appearances, a state championship, Final 4, and 92 wins as a Colonels starter. VonHandorf led the Colonels in scoring at 16.9 ppg last season and is one of the best on the ball defenders in the region. The Fairmont State commit has the strength and toughness to bully his way to the rim and finish but can also beat you off the dribble and hit the mid range jumper. With Vonhandorf having a more experienced group around him this year, it should allow him to play more relaxed.

 

5. Brennan Hall- 6’0 Junior G Newcath

Hall enters this year with a lot of confidence after leading the Breds to the 9th region championship and a state final 4 appearance as a sophomore starting point guard. Hall has quickness and strength to go with a high basketball IQ but the most overlooked aspect of his game is his shooting ability. The junior finished 46% from the field, primarily because of his ability to hit the mid range jumper and finish at the rim, but also shot 43% from beyond the arc. This is a kid that won’t be out worked and that is the biggest reason he is receiving Division II interest.

 

6. Hunter Meyer- 6’2 Senior G Dixie Heights

Meyer started to make a name for himself last season after averaging 11.5 ppg while pulling down 5 rpg. Meyer has the size and strength to make things extremely difficult for the opposition at both ends of the floor as a big scoring point guard who can play and defend anywhere on the perimeter. His quickness allows him to get by his man almost at will and his ball handling is good enough to keep pressure from bothering him. With a 25 on his ACT and 3.8 GPA, this Is a high IQ kid both on and off the court.

 

7. Reed Bradfield- 6’7 Senior F Dixie Heights

Bradfield’s numbers were almost identical to Meyer’s at 12 ppg, 5 rpg. The versatile big man enters his senior year as arguably the best all around big man in the region. He can defend the post against bigger players but is versatile enough to put the ball on the deck or play as a stretch 4 at times on offense. Bradfield plays with aggression and strength around the rim and has the ability to finish through contact.

 

8. Spencer Hemmerich- 6’3 Senior G Conner

Hemmerich suffered a set back with an injury last season but still managed to average 15 ppg and 4 rpg in 21 games. With Michael Scott gone and his team looking at him to score more often, this is a player that has the ability to put up 25+ on any given night. He attacks the rim hard and gets to the foul line at a high level for a guard.

 

9. Luke Moeves- 6’2 Senior Guard Newcath

Moeves enters this season as one of the better shooters in the region after connecting on 42% from outside last season, while averaging 11.7 ppg as a junior. While he is mostly known for his spot up shooting, Moeves also has the strength to get to the rim and finish, while also being a willing passer and finding the open man as a secondary ball handler. With a more dominant role this season, I’d expect to see him be more aggressive at both ends of the floor.

 

10. Sterling Hamilton- 6’5 Junior Forward Lloyd Memorial

Hamilton is not only one of the better rebounding bigs in this region, but he also has the versatility at both ends to create match up problems both inside and outside as he connected on 40 percent of his 3 attempts last season while also finishing at 50% from inside the arc.

"Scott Ruthsatz also has what should be the most talented team that he has had since taking over at Covcath in 2011."

 

 

Even better than the state champion team?

A few notes notes about both sets of rankings:

 

- You can have Covcath or Cooper at #1 and not be wrong. Both teams will be deep this year and I think Covcath might actually be a little better offensively at this point, but I like Cooper's starting 5 more.

 

- Dixie and Newcath could be switched at 3/4 and you probably wouldn't be wrong. Same with Holmes and Conner at 5/6.

 

- Don't look too much in to Cole being put at #4 in the player rankings. Someone could rank him 2nd and I wouldn't argue. I simply like the all around game, especially on offense, of the three ahead of him a little more. He is still one of the toughest kids in this region and you won't find many kids more competitive than him.

 

A few names that could have been mentioned in the top 10 or play their way in to it:

 

Dante Hendrix- Cooper (Defensive player of the year)

AJ Mayer- Covcath (Will probably average a double double)

Jaiden Greene- Holmes (One of the best athletes in the region)

Ben Toebbe- Beechwood (Like Mayer..will probably average a double double)

 

Video interviews with coaches should be up in the next few days.

"Scott Ruthsatz also has what should be the most talented team that he has had since taking over at Covcath in 2011."

 

 

Even better than the state champion team?

 

That team wasn't the most talented team in the region or state that year...they simply out worked every opponent they stepped on the floor with and played with a toughness that you see from very few high school teams.

 

This year's team has more individual talent than that team had...IMO, of course.

Good stuff.

 

My only "what the " moment was St Henry in the top 10.

 

They were decent last year and lost their two best players.

That team wasn't the most talented team in the region or state that year...they simply out worked every opponent they stepped on the floor with and played with a toughness that you see from very few high school teams.

 

This year's team has more individual talent than that team had...IMO, of course.

 

I would agree with that assessment.

 

State champs are not just won with talent.

That team wasn't the most talented team in the region or state that year...they simply out worked every opponent they stepped on the floor with and played with a toughness that you see from very few high school teams.

 

This year's team has more individual talent than that team had...IMO, of course.

 

and that also means that Cooper is loaded. It should be fun for you guys to watch those 2 battle it out.

Good stuff.

 

My only "what the " moment was St Henry in the top 10.

 

They were decent last year and lost their two best players.

 

You could use anyone 9 through 14 in the 9th and 10th slots and I think anyone familiar with the 9th region could come up with a legit argument for why they should or shouldn't be ranked there. Not much separation between those 5 teams.

 

St Henry looked better than I was expecting on Saturday when I saw them at the Kelsey Sorrell so I went ahead and put them at 9.

and that also means that Cooper is loaded. It should be fun for you guys to watch those 2 battle it out.

 

The scary thing is Covcath loses CVH next year and that's it. As good as they should be this year, they will be even better next year with Fredrick, Ruthsatz, Mayer, and Walter as seniors.

 

Same with Cooper next year. They lose McNeil and Hendrix but Kunkel, Runion, Schidler, and C McNeil will be back as seniors along with Blaine Walters as a junior.

Thanks Walter. Great job.

Outstanding job as always, thanks for your support and knowledge of the 9 th region.

I think you can flip flop 10 and 11. But I like where Highlands sits. This team could good be a good team. Not a team you want to overlook like the past yrs. But the rest of the rankings is good. Cooper is number 1 to me as well.

Excellent job as always @Walter. Appreciate the review and hard work it takes putting it together.

I like that you have Lloyd in at 7. They should have a nice team with what they have returning and if Townsend plays after taking last year off. Look for them to put a scare in a few of the higher rated teams. I thought Hamilton was a senior.

Excellent job as always @Walter. Appreciate the review and hard work it takes putting it together.

I like that you have Lloyd in at 7. They should have a nice team with what they have returning and if Townsend plays after taking last year off. Look for them to put a scare in a few of the higher rated teams. I thought Hamilton was a senior.

 

Definitely agree on the Lloyd point. That's a talented team on the perimeter and in the paint. I firmly believe they will not only scare, but beat a few of the higher rated teams.