It just felt good to be in the gym again. All seemed right with the world on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday when I watched the sport that I love. There was a good amount of movement in the rankings this week. Several teams have not posted any statistics, so I don’t have a ton of info on specific players yet. I expect some arguments from my fellow BGPers about Covington Catholic staying #1 despite no wins yet, but that’s part of the job. I get about fifteen more opportunities to cover this fine region this year, so it’ll eventually even out.

 

 

Regional Preview

 

1. Covington Catholic (0-2): I know they are 0-2, but I still think they are #1 in the region. I welcome your arguments because I know some may disagree based on their record. The Colonels play three 9th region teams before Christmas so we’ll see where they truly are side by side against the rest of NKY.

 

2. Beechwood (1-1): The loss to a very good Simon Kenton team is not going to cost the Tigers this week. They remain at #2. Beechwood is rebounding the ball very well to start the season.

 

3. St. Henry (2-0): The Cru’ beat both Conner and Cooper this week to move up two slots. They travel to Park Hills on Tuesday to try and knock off what may be a very ticked off Covington Catholic squad.

 

4. Newport Central Catholic (3-0): Legendary Coach Ron Dawn returned and the Breds are 3-0 to start the year. The NCC travels to Beechwood on Tuesday to face the Tigers. I’ll be in attendance, stop by and say “Hello.”

 

5. Conner (0-1): I do not mean this in a negative way because I think Coach Otte has done a fine job at Conner, but I have never understood the logic in scheduling only one game during the first week of the season. The Cougars lost to St. Henry and will face two district opponents this week in Cooper and Boone County. A quick scan of the schedule suggests that the 33rd District teams play each other two times during the course of the season. This is probably the reason as to why they play key district games so early in the season.

 

6. Highlands (2-0): The Bluebirds beat two quality opponents in Ryle and Brossart. They have a legitimate shot to be undefeated going into Christmas. Luke Muller is their leading scorer through two games and he has hit 10 3-pointers so far.

 

7. Lloyd Memorial (2-1): The Juggs won two games the first week. They should beat Ludlow and Eminence before a real test against Conner coming at the Newport Showcase.

 

8. Cooper (0-2): The Jags are winless this week with a lopsided loss to the Crusaders. They have a big district game against Conner this week and need to put at least 50 points on the board to win.

 

9. Holmes (2-0): The Bulldogs won 2 games and hope to ride that momentum against Newport and Dixie this week.

 

10. Dixie Heights (0-2): The Colonels are 0-2 with some big games against Holmes and Campbell County coming this week. I hope they can get wins this week. They have not posted any stats yet so I am not sure who is doing their scoring.

 

11. Boone County (1-2): I was surprised how hard the Rebels played against Beechwood. Boone County can put the ball in the hole, but they need to tighten up their defensive effort. They have a big kid that rebounds the ball well and is good on the block. His name might be Tate Herrman but I am not sure.

 

12. Holy Cross (1-1): The Indians did not do anything wrong this week, but I did bump them down one slot. This is due more to the fact that Boone County played hard and I kind of undercut them in the regional preview.

 

13. Ryle (1-1): Too early to tell the immediate impact that Coach Belcher will have. We’ll see how close the Simon Kenton game is on Tuesday.

 

14. Newport (2-0): Newport is off to a strong start. They deserve to move up a spot. Their ceiling may be a little higher than what I thought in the preview. The Wildcats go to Boone County and Holmes this week.

 

15. Villa Madonna (2-1): The Vikings are off to a decent start. They travel to Williamstown, St. Henry, and Calvary Christian this week. They could win 2 road games and gain some momentum.

 

16. Ludlow (1-1): The Panthers beat Heritage and lost to Pendleton County. I don’t see them beating Lloyd or Bishop Brossart this week, but they could have a shot against Shaw Memorial.

 

17. Dayton (0-3): The Green-Devils hope to get their first victory this week as they play Covington Latin and some smaller schools at the Berea Tournament.

 

18. Bellevue (0-2): My old team is not necessarily giving us a defensive showcase. The Tigers gave up 79 points (Simon Kenton) and 78 points (Villa Madonna) to go winless the first week of the season.

 

19. Heritage (0-2): Heritage lost to Ludlow to start the season. They host the Bellevue Tigers on Tuesday.

Good job @PP1 :thumb:

 

Always look forward to your weekly breakdown.

Cru at #3? I can’t even remember a time when they were in the top 5. I like it!

Holy Cross #12? I don't think there are 11 teams better in the 9th region. Moving teams up just because they played hard (but still lost big at home) is interesting. I think Holy Cross was low preseason as well. Dixie & Cooper still in top 10 at 0-2 and neither looking good? I'd have both HC & Newport higher but good work on the update. I realize it is hard first few weeks.

I'd have both HC & Newport higher but good work on the update.

 

This!!!

Holy Cross #12? I don't think there are 11 teams better in the 9th region. I think Holy Cross was low preseason as well. Dixie & Cooper still in top 10 at 0-2 and neither looking good? I'd have both HC & Newport higher but good work on the update.

 

You could be right. I don't really know how good Walton or Brossart are and they kind of played a role in this because they went against some 9th Region schools. Newport has a chance to prove me wrong this week and Boone County has a chance to prove me right.

I think the two best teams in the region may be playing tomorrow night in Park Hills.

December 20th the two best in the 9th will play.

NCC plays Beechwood tomorrow night in a triple header. Should be a great game. I like NCC in this one even thou they are still without 2 returning starters from last year.

Odd that Newport is still 14th. But like I said. Do not count them out. They are playing well and they played solid with a Sick Deshawn White. They played well against Brossart without White in the second quarter. They play Boone and Holmes this week.

Beechwood just lost by 25 to Bishop Brossart.

If Beechwood is the 2nd best team in the 9th region 2019-20 is the weakest year ever for the 9th region.

If Beechwood is the 2nd best team in the 9th region 2019-20 is the weakest year ever for the 9th region.

 

I would say right now, I don’t see many teams playing better than Highlands. One could argue NCC or St. Henry but I’ll take the Birds. Of course, it is early.

What’s up with all these high scores? Is there any defense being played?

If Beechwood is the 2nd best team in the 9th region 2019-20 is the weakest year ever for the 9th region.

Beechwood is not even close to being the 2nd best team in region!