Regional Rankings

 

1. Covington Catholic (22-4): The Colonels beat Boone County and Beechwood last week. I have not seen them play in person but have watched the games via the YouTube channel on three occasions. The boys in blue are a very good team. I do not think that they are unbeatable though. I predicted earlier that they would lose to a NKY team this year. I think it will not happen.

 

2. Conner (17-5): Conner may run the table to the regional tournament. The Cougars are very hard to guard.

 

3. St. Henry (19-3): St. Henry has four tough opponents before the district tournament. The Crusaders are playing very well right now. I do not think they will win-out the rest of the regular season. If this bothers some fans, keep in mind, I have made four bold prognostications at various times this season and I am currently 0-4.

 

4. Beechwood (17-9): Beechwood lost to two teams that are ranked above them. This does not constitute a drop in the rankings. The Tigers have four tough games left before the district tournament including a game of major implications this coming Saturday.

 

5. Highlands (21-2): Highlands beat Dixie and Anderson this week. If I was allowed to have a tie, I would have Beechwood and Highlands both ranked #4. The only major difference is that Beechwood seemed to play Cov Cath a little closer than the Bluebirds did. Vinson scored 76 points in two total games this week. That is Freakish.

 

6. Newport Central Catholic (15-8): The Breds only have two games left before the post season. They play Newport and Conner. I thought they were supposed to play St. Henry again but I do not see it on their schedule.

 

7. Cooper (8-13): The Jags play their next two games against Campbell County and Dixie Heights. They should win one of these games.

 

8. Holy Cross (12-9): The Indians lost to Holmes but rebounded against two other 9th Region teams. They drop 1 slot. Holy Cross is in survival mode against Beechwood on Saturday.

 

9. Ryle (11-13): Ryle beat Boone County, which should guarantee a #3 seed. This is huge because the Raiders can match-up better with Cooper than with Conner.

 

10. Lloyd Memorial (12-10): Lloyd lost two game last week. They should win back-to-back against Walton and Williamstown this week.

 

11. Holmes (10-13): Holmes beat Holy Cross to set up an interesting scenario. For a rare occasion, the Bulldogs will be the biggest Tiger fans in the world on Saturday night.

 

12. Dixie Heights (6-18): Dixie beat Ludlow and played well against Highlands. They may not win another game all year until the district tournament.

 

13. Newport (12-10): Newport has a slew of home games before traveling to Breathitt County. Whoever thought traveling to Breathitt was a good idea should be called to task.

 

14. Ludlow (13-8): I am moving Ludlow ahead of Boone. I am probably wrong. The Panthers could get to 18 wins this year.

 

15. Boone County (5-19): The Rebels have four more games before facing Heritage in the opening round of their district tournament.

 

16. Dayton (9-15): Dayton has six games left against some geographical oddities.

 

17. Villa Madonna (5-20): Not sure what to say about a team that loses to St. Francis.

 

18. Heritage Academy (5-15): Heritage lost to Dayton by 40.

 

19. Bellevue (3-18): Bellevue got a win against David Justice’s alma mater.

 

20. Covington Latin (0-14): Et Latine est. Tu ergo quid dicis?

Cooper plays Highlands and Campbell Cty this week not Dixie.

NewCath and St. Henry were scheduled to play on January 25th, but since they met on January 17th in the 'All A' the game on the 25th was cancelled.

 

The next two games for Newport Catholic will be big indicators as to how far they have come this season, and will be a good measuring stick before the 9th region tournament.

Not bad, I can see your justifications. But here is my top 10 now that Ive seen them all:

 

1. CovCath - No justification needed. Is what it is folks. And IMO, Green is what makes them special. No disrespect to the others, all very good players. but you dont win without a kid like Green working down low. And in this age of “4 out” b-ball, youngsters need to learn that. To even have a chance at CovCath, you gotta neutralize Green and eliminate 2nd chance points. And hope many get into foul trouble.

2. Highlands - #1 of the rest IMO, and not getting enough love either. Coached by a winner. Just having one of those special years and has the talent and resume to back it up. Combo of Vinson/Muller gonna be tough to handle for anyone.

3. St Henry - similar to Highlands, but just a step behind. I look for the Cru to continue to do whats needed to win, by playing TEAM basketball. Its impressive to watch. Ive seen them a couple times and someone else always seems to step up.

4. Conner - talented, but did way too much talking during the game i saw. just play ball and they could make an impressive March run. But aside from Hicks kid, you can tell others on team have not been there in a winning sense.

5. Beechwood - so much talent, and should be right with CovCath, but just not impressed. Draud gets a bad wrap. Kid drives to bucket and aside from Rylee, no one else will enter paint. Until rebounding margin swings their way, season gonna end early. And with two 6’7” kids, a 6’6” and 6’3”/6’4” in starting lineup, no excuse not to own the offensive end.

6. Holy Cross - peaking at right time. With Freshman Meyer leading and getting seasoned (played Varsity for Scott as 8th grader), McClendon as his running mate, Niehaus outside, and Hicks owning the paint, I really like what Grammer has going on in his 2nd year in Latonia. Only thing holding them back IMO is depth an& turnovers, but if you cant get them in foul trouble, you’re gonna have a long night.

7. New Cath - Lots of talent and right with HC. Seem to be putting it together at the right time of year, and Pangallo kid has the talent to do something special. Solid coaching never hurts either.

8. Cooper - COACHING COACHING COACHING. Sully is in a rebounding year and putting together a respectable season. No way I want to face Cooper in March.

9. Holmes - talent is there, just seems like they cant find the rhythm. if it clicks, look out. Also go5 too distracted with emotions in games Ive seem. gotta keep youre cool and avoid the self inflicted wounds.

10. Lloyd - similar to Holmes, just have not shown steady success. Cody kid can be a difference maker, just need others to step up and find their identity.

Regional Rankings

 

1. Covington Catholic (22-4): The Colonels beat Boone County and Beechwood last week. I have not seen them play in person but have watched the games via the YouTube channel on three occasions. The boys in blue are a very good team. I do not think that they are unbeatable though. I predicted earlier that they would lose to a NKY team this year. I think it will not happen.

 

The Colonels have lost 4 games this year, so they are not unbeatable.