Micheal Spencer did not play on Covington Catholics JV team from someone I talked to , Both Mayer's are playing basketball per Covington Catholics JV coach . They both were at picture night Wed evening . Not sure how you can help Cooper's varsity when you couldn't play for Covington Catholics jv team ? Not sure the group you mentioned can match up with Fredrick , Ruthsatz , Walters , Davin , Mayer , Mayer , Thelen , Deere every kid listed but Ruthsatz is 6-4 or taller. Going to be fun watching Sullivan and Ruthsatz . If Covington Catholic reached the finals this will be Ruthsatz six straight finals of the regional in seven years guy has done the best coaching job in the state year in year out . If Sullivan can knock off Covington Catholic it will be an upset . Losing Hendrix and McNeil are major . Most nights those two players were the best basketball players for a Cooper .

 

Cov Cath is supremely talented but you can only play 5 at a time and realistically in an evenly matched contest you will reduce your rotation to 8 (maybe 9) players for continuity purposes.

 

My point? Cooper might not go 1-12 with Cov Cath but the Jags have enough talent to compete with Cov Cath. McNeil and Hendrix are huge losses, but Sullivan does a great job developing players, and he also does a tremendous job of getting the most out of his role players/bench. Cooper didn't miss a beat last year when McNeil went down with the knee.

 

It's easy to look at Cov Cath's roster and think they have too much for any team in the region.

 

Too easy...Cooper will be right there with them when the games mean the most.

I think if many go back and look at last year’s comments CCH was just as loaded if not more then and people were ready to punch their ticket the Rupp, and then the 2nd half of the regional finals happened.

Houston is an excellent addition and just because Spencer didn’t play much JV at CCH means very little to me as I’m am sure there many solid players at CCH that could contribute elsewhere. Spencer is nearly 6’4” and strong and will provide a more athletic bigger body than last Cooper had season.

Yes, losing the best defensive player in the region and a big scorer/rebounder is a huge loss but losing 4yr starter in CVH is significant as well.

Bottom line is barring an upset by a Newport, Holmes or Boone and the like the region could go either way to the top 2.

I looked for Chris McNeil to have a very good senior year and increase his scoring to help offset the points lost by brother. His sneaky quickness will pose problems for many.

Mr Sixer I agree with all your comments . Should be a fun year around the state . We would def agree that Cooper lost a ton arguably their two best all around players and Covington Catholic lost their heart and soul with VonHandorf . I believe that Covington Catholics additions way outweigh Cooper's in my opinion . They are loaded for years to come with 6-7 NIck Thelen , 6-5 Jack Davin , 6-5 Micheal Mayer .....

Mr Sixer I agree with all your comments . Should be a fun year around the state . We would def agree that Cooper lost a ton arguably their two best all around players and Covington Catholic lost their heart and soul with VonHandorf . I believe that Covington Catholics additions way outweigh Cooper's in my opinion . They are loaded for years to come with 6-7 NIck Thelen , 6-5 Jack Davin , 6-5 Micheal Mayer .....

 

Davin was the missing piece all last year for CCH as he never step foot on the court due to injury. He would have been the 6th man last year as a Sophomore...he even logged some minutes as a Frosh. Expectations are supremely high for him to have a big Junior season, and he I expect him to be one of the top players in the area this year.

The previous thread about top 10 players got me thinking about this year and the overall top 10 teams. I, unlike the user who started the previous thread, will give my 10 and we can go from there:

 

1) Covington Catholic - have held this position for the past two years as well and didn't make it to Rupp. This trend may not continue.

2) Cooper - Adam Kunkel is a difference maker as he showed in the Region Final.

3) Holmes - What??? 12-17 last year and #3 this year...I think this might show the parity in the teams from this point. They return a lot from last season.

4) Newport Central Catholic - looking for a big year from Brennan Hall and improvement in the younger players.

5) Newport - very athletic team and Mekell Burries is very good. I think they shoot themselves out of games.

6) Dixie Heights - a decent JV team will be required to take up the load from the seniors who left.

7) Boone County - Ethan Haynes and company will have a much better season this year than the previous 2.

8) Beechwood - Toebbe is a force and if they have quality guard play could rise in the rankings.

9) Ryle - top two scorers gone but a talented junior class is going to get thrown in the fire and I think they'll be better than expected.

10) Conner - life after the Hemmerichs...quieter gym and we will see who steps up in their place.

 

NCC may well be in the #4 spot but here's my thoughts.

Yes Brennan Hall will have a good year but it's going to be up to the older guys on this senior heavy team to lead them if they want to see success. We all know about the sophomore exodus of last season which really only leaves 2 juniors this season. Yes, there will be some current sophomores that will get a lot of playing time, but this season will rest on the shoulders of the seniors.

NCC will potentially start 5 seniors.. Hall, Pangallo, McDaniel, Iles, and Luken. With Posey and Gearding off the bench. While overall team height may be down, team play and hustle will be at the forefront.

While they did lose a scorer in Moeves to graduation, they will find ways to make up for his loss.

NCC may well be in the #4 spot but here's my thoughts.

Yes Brennan Hall will have a good year but it's going to be up to the older guys on this senior heavy team to lead them if they want to see success. We all know about the sophomore exodus of last season which really only leaves 2 juniors this season. Yes, there will be some current sophomores that will get a lot of playing time, but this season will rest on the shoulders of the seniors.

NCC will potentially start 5 seniors.. Hall, Pangallo, McDaniel, Iles, and Luken. With Posey and Gearding off the bench. While overall team height may be down, team play and hustle will be at the forefront.

While they did lose a scorer in Moeves to graduation, they will find ways to make up for his loss.

 

Not many high level players in that senior class hope the younger kids can play .

Davin was the missing piece all last year for CCH as he never step foot on the court due to injury. He would have been the 6th man last year as a Sophomore...he even logged some minutes as a Frosh. Expectations are supremely high for him to have a big Junior season, and he I expect him to be one of the top players in the area this year.

 

Saw Davin in VEgas long 6-5 shooter who really understands the game. Kid can really shoot the ball . Just what Covington Catholic needs another high level shooter Ruthsatz is stock pilled with tall athletic skilled players .

Casey Nowak & Luke Lenihan are also capable of having contributive seasons for the Colonels.

 

I didn't have the benefit of seeing much of Nowak because he got hurt, but it seemed that he showed great potential last season, and especially defensively with quickness and steals.

 

It will also be interesting to see how much Lenihan has improved. His shooting and ball handling skills will always be a help, but being in his Sr. year it will be now or never to step up and have a big impact.

 

CCH is so stacked with talent it's so hard for a lot of their guys to have the opportunity to get into the flow, and really show what they've got. It's really a wonder more of those guys don't jump ship to play elsewhere.

 

Considering how crowded their bench is I do hope we get to see a fair amount of action from Jr Tyler Fleek who had a dynamite JV season last year. As a sophomore last season he probably would've started for most teams in the region not named the Blue Colonels or Cooper. He was already long and showing growth potential so it will be interesting to see how tall he is now.

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Casey Nowak & Luke Lenihan are also capable of having contributive seasons for the Colonels.

 

I didn't have the benefit of seeing much of Nowak because he got hurt, but it seemed that he showed great potential last season, and especially defensively with quickness and steals.

 

It will also be interesting to see how much Lenihan has improved. His shooting and ball handling skills will always be a help, but being in his Sr. year it will be now or never to step up and have a big impact.

 

CCH is so stacked with talent it's so hard for a lot of their guys to have the opportunity to get into the flow, and really show what they've got. It's really a wonder more of those guys don't jump ship to play elsewhere.

 

Considering how crowded their bench is I do hope we get to see a fair amount of action from Jr Tyler Fleek who had a dynamite JV season last year. As a sophomore last season he probably would've started for most teams in the region not named the Blue Colonels or Cooper. He was already long and showing growth potential so it will be interesting to see how tall he is now.

 

One of the two will get minutes not both . Covington Catholic returns Ruthsatz and Frederick at guards. I think Nowak is best bet at third guard along with TJ Deere . NIck Thelen along with Mike Mayer are way past Fleek and I hear they have another sophomore big they are really high on believe the young mans name is Greene . DOesnt make much time for Fleek maybe he ends up at Beechwood like the other kid or Cooper

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One of the two will get minutes not both . Covington Catholic returns Ruthsatz and Frederick at guards. I think Nowak is best bet at third guard along with TJ Deere . NIck Thelen along with Mike Mayer are way past Fleek and I hear they have another sophomore big they are really high on believe the young mans name is Greene . DOesnt make much time for Fleek maybe he ends up at Beechwood like the other kid or Cooper

 

All good problems to have for CCH!

 

It would be great for the 9th Region and the kids's playing times if those that are 8 through 12 on the roster went to other schools. But in all reality, these kids go to CCH for more than just basketball. The values, education, and lifelong friendships they gain are more valuable than basketball. I seriously doubt that any Junior basketball players would leave to just to play basketball their senior year elsewhere. Plus, they want to win and have a great shot at playing in Rupp. Those that wanted to leave already have.

 

With that said, in talking with a CCH hoops coach recently, the kids that are supposedly hustling the most and putting up numbers in practice are Fredrick, Davin, Ruthsatz, and Fleek - all of which are "draining 3's and driving for short jumpers." Granted the Maher Dynamic Duo are currently playing football. And we all know it is not a great system for bigs like Walter, Thelen, and Greene to score.

 

Can't wait for the season to start and I hope there is more balance in the 9th but there is no immediate site of this!

All good problems to have for CCH!

 

It would be great for the 9th Region and the kids's playing times if those that are 8 through 12 on the roster went to other schools. But in all reality, these kids go to CCH for more than just basketball. The values, education, and lifelong friendships they gain are more valuable than basketball. I seriously doubt that any Junior basketball players would leave to just to play basketball their senior year elsewhere. Plus, they want to win and have a great shot at playing in Rupp. Those that wanted to leave already have.

 

With that said, in talking with a CCH hoops coach recently, the kids that are supposedly hustling the most and putting up numbers in practice are Fredrick, Davin, Ruthsatz, and Fleek - all of which are "draining 3's and driving for short jumpers." Granted the Maher Dynamic Duo are currently playing football. And we all know it is not a great system for bigs like Walter, Thelen, and Greene to score.

 

Can't wait for the season to start and I hope there is more balance in the 9th but there is no immediate site of this!

 

 

What coach have you talked to ? I heard same thing except Fleek has really struggled and Nick Thelen has dominated that matchup . SHoukd be interesting in Park Hills . Why isn't it a great system for bigs to score ? TObler, Schue, Schulte all scored . The three you mentioned aren't scorers from what I have seen . I have not seen Greene so I can not comment on him . Did he play aau this summer ?

Edited October 3, 20178 yr by Muskie

Not many high level players in that senior class hope the younger kids can play .

 

Maybe not in your eyes! These senior boys play as hard as any and will do what they can to get their team to the post season.

 

Hall was Division 2 player of the year and Pangallo was Division 2 defensive player of the year last season. Hall and Luken also were members of the "All A" all tournament team. All pretty impressive for juniors!

Should be an interesting 9th. It will be good to see the Cooper/CCH at NKU. Love seeing top games on the bigger floor.

NCC may well be in the #4 spot but here's my thoughts.

Yes Brennan Hall will have a good year but it's going to be up to the older guys on this senior heavy team to lead them if they want to see success. We all know about the sophomore exodus of last season which really only leaves 2 juniors this season. Yes, there will be some current sophomores that will get a lot of playing time, but this season will rest on the shoulders of the seniors.

NCC will potentially start 5 seniors.. Hall, Pangallo, McDaniel, Iles, and Luken. With Posey and Gearding off the bench. While overall team height may be down, team play and hustle will be at the forefront.

While they did lose a scorer in Moeves to graduation, they will find ways to make up for his loss.

 

What about Jefferson and Kremer coming off the bench as well or possibly one of them starting. The games I attended they got significant playing time as freshman?

Fleek is and has been under-appreciated IMO. Would star at Beechwood and start at Cooper. Very, very good player - even with CCH's talent I don't understand how he won't see the floor this year.