article 9th Region Week 3 Review: A couple highs and more then a couple of lows.

[PP1]

An odd week in the 9th. Some teams did really well, while others certainly did not. A nice story is the news that Bellevue has a new 3-point leader in Ratterman. Some of those small towns in Campbell County have been able to produce pretty decent basketball players over the years. As far as the rankings go there is a lot to talk about from 7-11. I expect some discord and I dove into the numbers as best I could. Throw questions my way and I’ll be happy to explain,

 

 

1. Cooper (6-1): Cooper had a great week with wins over Ryle, Beechwood, and Fern Creek. Coach Sullivan and the Jags had a great night Friday welcoming back their alums from the last 8 years. They do not play again till Friday when they travel to the Pendleton County Tournament before heading to Lexington Catholic to close out the month.

 

2. Covington Catholic (6-2): The Colonels went 2-1 this week to keep their hold on the #2 spot in the 9th Region. I heard through the grapevine that Michael Mayer will not be on the hardwood this year, per the request of his future college coach. I just got this from some basketball fans sitting in the stands, but I have yet to see Mayer’s name in the stat line. This is a setback for the Colonels, but Grant Driskell, Nick Thelen, and Tyler Fleek are scoring every game. These fellas can still win the 9th region.

 

3. Newport (5-1): Newport beat Holmes and Dixie to move up one slot this week. I’m excited to see what this team does against district foe Highlands on Monday. The game is in Fort Thomas and the atmosphere should be electric. Donnie Miller is scoring 20 ppg while sporting a 50% FG percentage.

 

4. Beechwood (8-1): The Tigers ran into a Buzzsaw Friday night against Cooper. At times the Tigers were able to execute and hit some shots, but just couldn’t sustain it. I was impressed that Beechwood could turn around the next afternoon and beat a very good 8th Region Grant County team. Beechwood is off till Friday when they host the Campbell County Camels.

 

5. Highlands (6-1): Highlands stays at #5 this week but will have a chance to move up when they play the Newport Wildcats on Monday. I have not seen the Bluebirds in person yet this season but have heard that Ben Sissen is playing like a man among boys. According to KHSAA he is averaging 17 points and almost 8 rebounds a game. We’re not used to seeing this kind of production from the school in Fort Thomas and maybe that bias is leaking into the rankings. The boys in blue will force my hand if they beat Newport on Monday.

 

6. Conner (5-2): Conner lost to Simon Kenton at home on Tuesday and beat Ryle by only 14 points this week. If it wasn’t for the really tough weeks for the other big schools in the region, the Cougars could have dropped three slots. Their stats are not up-to-date but it looks like Jalen Scott is their best scorer. Conner plays Newport and the Eagles of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (a team that I personally had 7 block shots against in January of 1999) this week before breaking for Christmas.

 

7. Lloyd Memorial (3-2): Lloyd beat Holmes this week in overtime and put up 78 points against Williamstown. They should beat Boone County on Tuesday before heading to Grant County for a Christmas Tournament. The Juggs are getting a lot of points from Tyler Szabo and Treshawn Cody.

 

8. Newport Central Catholic (3-3): The Breds went 2-1 this week with wins against St. Henry and Boone County. The middle of the pack is hard to rank at this point as several of these teams are beating each other. Evan Mullikin is averaging 23 points a game for NewCath. The Thoroughbreds have a rough week ahead with games against Covington Catholic and Simon Kenton.

 

9. Holmes (3-5): Not sure if we call it a Golden Sombrero or not but Holmes lost four times this week. If not for Dixie’s rough week, they would drop a little lower. The Bulldogs play Campbell County and Southern this week.

 

10. St. Henry (3-5:: The Crusaders are starting to show a little bit of life with victories against some smaller schools. The most important regular season game on their schedule is against Lloyd, but that game does not take place until February. They have some tough competition this week against Pendleton County and Cooper, if they can stay within 18 points, then I consider it a good game for them

 

11. Dixie Heights (2-5): Dixie lost three games this week by 19, 20, and 49 points. The team needs to pull together and play as one. I’ve seen them play twice and have been impressed with Arien Gentry. He was not in my top ten but has an athletic build, speed, and seems good in transition. By the end of the year, these guys will be in the regional tournament, but if they want to be considered with the elite, they must get on the same page.

 

12. Holy Cross (2-4): My old Latonia neighbors beat Scott this week to end the week on a good note. They lost to Brossart and South Oldham on Monday and Wednesday. Coach Grammar will be headed to Grant County to participate in the holiday tournament. Grammar led the Grant County Braves to two regional appearances in 2014 and 2015.

 

13. Ryle (1-6): I hate to drop them this far, but I just don’t see any alternative. The teams above them have better records and seem to be playing a little better. The Raiders go to Tennessee on Thursday and I hope they represent the state well. This team has got to find an outside threat and must get more rebounds out of their post players. I’m not much for rattling cages, but if Ryle wants more respect, they need to win some games.

 

14. Ludlow (5-5): The Panthers went 2-2 this week and gave up a shocking 82 points to St. Henry. They are scheduled to play Newport in the Swauger Classic next weekend.

 

15. Boone County (1-7): The Rebels picked up their first victory with a win over the Demons last Tuesday. They took a bit of a thumping against Newport Catholic but played decent against Indian Hill. They will be tested on Tuesday against Lloyd Memorial.

 

16. Bellevue (3-3): Bellevue lost to Calvary Christians and St. Henry last week. Tommy Ratterman is the new 3-point Champion in Tiger history surpassing Lenny Bays. Secretly, I resent him for this as Lenny Bays was my former teammate and partner in Spanish 1 back in 1996 but achieving this feat in mid-December is something special.

 

17. Villa Madonna (3-6): Villa lost to Ludlow and beat Dayton last week. They play Bellevue on Tuesday for a chance to move up in the rankings.

 

18. Dayton (2-7): The Devils beat some school named Jackson City this week to get their 2nd win. They lost to Silver Grove by 2 last Monday which surprised me considering they played Ludlow pretty tight a few days before. They host Calvary Christian on Monday this week.

 

19. Heritage Academy (0-4): Heritage will try and get a victory against Silver Grove on Tuesday. Don Chambers is averaging 14 rebounds a game for them.

 

20. Covington Latin (0-6) Latin is still searching for their first win. They do not play again until January 5th in a big matchup against Heritage Academy.

[Bird Bath]

9th region is down. Cooper is the front runner! Sullivan can coach and the region is absent superstar talent at least in the senior class. Sisson is having a great season but that is a weak class. Senior squads and team ball will win the region and my bet will be on the coaches that have been there before at the end. I am going with Cooper and a drop CCH and Newport and a drop HHS and BW and the best of the rest. 9th will be competitive but it is void of talent. There is no Weyer, McNeill, Frederick Kunkle etc. Not only were those kids good but they had skilled help. Look at CCH shooting, Highlands when Sisson is in foul trouble or hack attack choose to foul any shooter other than Vinson from the foul line and employ a half court offense on Newport. Muscle on BW. Again a lot of weaknesses exposed. I like Sullivan to exploit that and I am certain the blue colonels will be much better at the end.

[Big Fundamental]

9th region is down. Cooper is the front runner! Sullivan can coach and the region is absent superstar talent at least in the senior class. Sisson is having a great season but that is a weak class. Senior squads and team ball will win the region and my bet will be on the coaches that have been there before at the end. I am going with Cooper and a drop CCH and Newport and a drop HHS and BW and the best of the rest. 9th will be competitive but it is void of talent. There is no Weyer, McNeill, Frederick Kunkle etc. Not only were those kids good but they had skilled help. Look at CCH shooting, Highlands when Sisson is in foul trouble or hack attack choose to foul any shooter other than Vinson from the foul line and employ a half court offense on Newport. Muscle on BW. Again a lot of weaknesses exposed. I like Sullivan to exploit that and I am certain the blue colonels will be much better at the end.

 

You make some good points on each team. Beechwood having already played 9 games, and being 8-1 is impressive. Victories over LexCath, Scott, and Grant Co., with only a loss on the road at Cooper, Im surprised they are 4. Should be interesting to see how they handle Campbell County, at their own place on Friday night. CC is similar to Cooper, imo, but with some legit scorers.

[BirdDaddy]

9th region is down. Cooper is the front runner! Sullivan can coach and the region is absent superstar talent at least in the senior class. Sisson is having a great season but that is a weak class. Senior squads and team ball will win the region and my bet will be on the coaches that have been there before at the end. I am going with Cooper and a drop CCH and Newport and a drop HHS and BW and the best of the rest. 9th will be competitive but it is void of talent. There is no Weyer, McNeill, Frederick Kunkle etc. Not only were those kids good but they had skilled help. Look at CCH shooting, Highlands when Sisson is in foul trouble or hack attack choose to foul any shooter other than Vinson from the foul line and employ a half court offense on Newport. Muscle on BW. Again a lot of weaknesses exposed. I like Sullivan to exploit that and I am certain the blue colonels will be much better at the end.

 

Maybe just maybe Highlands deserves a little Credit where credit is due? Maybe now Highlands has Skilled enough players to compete rather than just dealt & played with what was walking the Halls. I have watched the last couple of years of players coming through and this is without a doubt Listermans most talented and hardworking group of kids since he has been at Highlands. They may or may not make some noise come Regional time but they no longer are being held Hostage with players. They have kids that are finally willing to put in the extra work knowing that it's no longer just fill the roster with bodies and I will play by default kind of kids. They actually have some high level skill players now. Maybe not as skilled as you mentioned but certainly higher than they have had in the past. Sometimes graduation is a good thing. It allows most parties the opportunity to move forward to a new day rather than be stuck in some type of Quagmire of a Fantasy.

[HSBballfan24]

Just my opinion:

 

1. Cooper - defense defense defense

2. Highlands - Most impressive win of the season so far

3. Beechwood - most consistent team offensively (except see #1)

4. Covington Catholic - guard play is a mess

5. Newport - lack of depth but 3 good scorers

6. Conner - young ones coming together

7. NCC - beat St. Henry and Lloyd

8. Lloyd - unknown still but shows promise

9. Holy Cross - handled Scott Saturday

10. Holmes - no big win yet

11. St. Henry

12. Dixie Heights

13. Ryle

14. Ludlow

[THUNDERBIRDS]

Not a huge fan of Rankings. On that note, I know not being preseason ranked is what has fueled the Fire behind how Highlands is playing! It's still a very young season.....

[THUNDERBIRDS]

Maybe just maybe Highlands deserves a little Credit where credit is due? Maybe now Highlands has Skilled enough players to compete rather than just dealt & played with what was walking the Halls. I have watched the last couple of years of players coming through and this is without a doubt Listermans most talented and hardworking group of kids since he has been at Highlands. They may or may not make some noise come Regional time but they no longer are being held Hostage with players. They have kids that are finally willing to put in the extra work knowing that it's no longer just fill the roster with bodies and I will play by default kind of kids. They actually have some high level skill players now. Maybe not as skilled as you mentioned but certainly higher than they have had in the past. Sometimes graduation is a good thing. It allows most parties the opportunity to move forward to a new day rather than be stuck in some type of Quagmire of a Fantasy.

 

Isn't that a little harsh? Highlands has had plenty of talent the last 3-4 years. Maybe not enough to compete like they are now. I like to think of things as a Marathon and not a Sprint. I think Kevin Listerman and Coaches do a unbelievable job. Who am I kidding, one's my Brother In Law!:clap: Highlands success just didn't happen overnight. They have been building this team for a few years now. I commend the players who have "Trusted the Process" Go Birds!

[JackieMoon]

Not a huge fan of Rankings. On that note, I know not being preseason ranked is what has fueled the Fire behind how Highlands is playing! It's still a very young season.....

 

What do you mean by HHS "not being ranked pre season"? Everybody was ranked pre season.

[Big Fundamental]

Isn't that a little harsh? Highlands has had plenty of talent the last 3-4 years. Maybe not enough to compete like they are now. I like to think of things as a Marathon and not a Sprint. I think Kevin Listerman and Coaches do a unbelievable job. Who am I kidding, one's my Brother In Law!:clap: Highlands success just didn't happen overnight. They have been building this team for a few years now. I commend the players who have "Trusted the Process" Go Birds!

 

Listerman and staff do a nice job. I believe the kids have always played hard. Never quit. But, haven't had the same type of talent that they have now. Highlands has shown they can beat anyone (CCH #3 in state) & compete at a high level (Oldham on the road).

[THUNDERBIRDS]

What do you mean by HHS "not being ranked pre season"? Everybody was ranked pre season.

 

I meant ranked higher. Everybody knew what Highlands had coming back. It wasn't like they were laying in the Weeds!

[KOTU]

Isn't that a little harsh? Highlands has had plenty of talent the last 3-4 years. Maybe not enough to compete like they are now. I like to think of things as a Marathon and not a Sprint. I think Kevin Listerman and Coaches do a unbelievable job. Who am I kidding, one's my Brother In Law!:clap: Highlands success just didn't happen overnight. They have been building this team for a few years now. I commend the players who have "Trusted the Process" Go Birds!

 

Totally agree...coach Listerman does a great job. Another comment I hear continually about Highlands is that they are a "football school". That is only partially true. They have been developing the basketball program for years. Sam Vinson is a prime example. They have another big young sophomore (Muller/Mueller?) who can flat out shoot the three. That program is definitely on the rise.

[Jack of all Trades]

Totally agree...coach Listerman does a great job. Another comment I hear continually about Highlands is that they are a "football school". That is only partially true. They have been developing the basketball program for years. Sam Vinson is a prime example. They have another big young sophomore (Muller/Mueller?) who can flat out shoot the three. That program is definitely on the rise.

 

Do you know how many kids on the current roster play football? For the last several years, the basketball team has made up a large chunk of the basketball roster. The best basketball only kid they had over the last several years ended up at Newport Catholic.

[PP1]

I meant ranked higher. Everybody knew what Highlands had coming back. It wasn't like they were laying in the Weeds!

 

Good point. There probably was a little bias based on the history of the basketball program.

 

Do you think that the city of Ft. Thomas and the district as whole long for a succesfull basketball program or is it the afterthought that people from out of district perceive it as?

[Bird Bath]

Do you know how many kids on the current roster play football? For the last several years, the basketball team has made up a large chunk of the basketball roster. The best basketball only kid they had over the last several years ended up at Newport Catholic.

7 of the 9 Seniors and 2 of 3 Juniors and Vinson plays football as well.

[Bird Bath]

Totally agree...coach Listerman does a great job. Another comment I hear continually about Highlands is that they are a "football school". That is only partially true. They have been developing the basketball program for years. Sam Vinson is a prime example. They have another big young sophomore (Muller/Mueller?) who can flat out shoot the three. That program is definitely on the rise.

Let’s reset expectations. Time to make regionals is this year. If you look across the 9th and see the young varsity contributors and what HHS coming back that is a very bold statement IMO