BluegrassPreps.com 9th Region - Week 2 - Review and Rankings:

Week 2 in the 9th Region is in the books, and we saw which teams are dominating, developing, or simply struggling. Whereas the region this season appeared to be wide open with much parity, it still sorta does, but CovCath’s domination for example is showing us that just like in many recent years, they are the team to beat. They are with little doubt the favorite.

1. Covington Catholic (5-0)

This past week saw Coach Ruthsatz move past Dan Tieman as the winningest coach in CovCath history. The Colonels began the week with a highly contested match against St. Henry where the game was in question until the 4th quarter when the Colonels began to dominate. The Cru showed that they can play with them, but the Colonels know how to finish games to get the ‘W’ 70-61. As expected Evan Ipsaro stirs their drink, and is displaying vividly why he is arguably the best player in the 9th. The Colonels followed that win up with a 79-70 win over a feisty Reed Brothers driven Bracken Co. in the St Elizabeth Sports Medicine 9/10 Region Challenge. This coming week sees the Colonels host the high scoring Holy Cross Indians Tues Dec. 13, featuring of course the dynamic duo of Jacob Meyer, and Javier Ward.

 

2. Highlands (5-0) 

            Averaging 89.6 ppg after 5 games the Bluebirds pick up where they left off last season of being one of the tops in the state in scoring. They sure can turn it on and score in bunches, overwhelming their opponents. This past week saw the Birds in a highly contested game against St. Henry where the Cru at one point was up by a bunch, but the Birds came flying back going on a scoring tear to secure the win 88-80. In the Donate Life Challenge they got past Jeffersontown in a high scoring affair 91-83. This week sees the Birds hosting Campbell Co on Tues. Dec. 13, and a home game on Friday Dec. 16 with the Cincinnati Trailblazers Home School as they host the Carespring Holiday Classic. On Saturday Dec. 17 the Birds will face Boyle Co in the same classic. 

 

3. Holy Cross (4-1)

            The Indians put on a good show this weekend coming in 3rd place in the Billy Hicks Classic. First they beat John Hardin 82-47, then lost a tough one against Top 10 team Great Crossing 75-60. They recovered and took care of Scott Co. 95-72. This coming week sees the Indians with a tall task of facing the region’s best Covington Catholic Tues. Dec. 13. Can they do what so far no one has yet to do, or will the Colonels continue to dominate. This is a good measuring stick game to see just how close these two teams are. For those wondering, Jacob Meyer is presently averaging 32.8 ppg not counting their game against Scott Co. where the stats are yet available, and Javier Ward is averaging 20 ppg. 

 

4. Cooper (3-2) 

The Jags have steadily been showing their strengths led by their quick as lightning point guard sophomore Yamil Rondon. This week saw them take one on the chin with their loss against Elder (Cincinnati) 54-44. They then took care of business with NewCath 77-66, and in the John Turner Classic at Newport they beat Linton-Stockton (IN) 73-61. This coming week sees them host the Pioneers of Simon Kenton Tues Dec. 13, then a tough 33rd District matchup at Conner Fri Dec. 16. 

 

5. St. Henry (2-4)

The Cru has had some tough games this past week with the top 2 teams in the region in CovCath and Highlands, and while they contended on strongly against them the wins eluded them. They’re better than their record might suggest. They first lost to CovCath 70-61, then Highlands 88-80. In the John Turner Classic they must’ve had a hangover from the previous night’s Highlands game because they really didn’t have it against St. Xavier (Cincinnati) in the 51-27 loss. Their next battles will be in the Carespring Holiday Classic at Highlands Dec 16, and Dec 17 where they take on St. Xavier (Louisville), and Knox Central respectively. 

 

6. Lloyd (2-1) 

            The Juggs got their season started this week with 3 games. First an easy 34th district matchup with Villa Madonna 62-28. Next they puzzled the region with an at home loss against a spirited Ryle Raiders. Ryle is developing, but better than advertised. They then took care of business at that John Turner Classic topping Roger Bacon (Cincinnati) 49-42. This week sees them host the Newport Wildcats on Tues Dec. 13, then they travel to Dayton, Oh to take on Belmont Sat Dec. 17. 

 

7. Conner (3-2)

            The Cougars went 2-1 this week, first with a win over Dixie 68-41, then Beechwood 73-61, then they lost in the John Turner Classic at Newport against Elder (Cincinnati) 53-42. For their benefit they now have again the services of sharp shooter Landon Hamilton who needless to say adds a much needed spark for the Cougars. This week sees them in a heated 33rd District battle as they host the Cooper Jags Fri Dec 16, then on Sun Dec 18 they’ll take on  Cincinnati College Prep Academy at Hughes High School in the Queen City Showcase. 

 

8. Newport (3-2)

The Wildcats went 2-1 this week with first a win against Boone Co. 74-57, a loss to Campbell Co. 61-40, then a win against the Scott Eagles in their John Turner Classic 58-45. The Wildcats have a busy week first with a big game at Lloyd on Tues Dec 13, then a home game against Dixie on Thurs Dec 15, then finally a home game against Ryle on Sat Dec. 17. 

 

9. Newport Central Catholic (4-2) 

The Breds continue to show that they’re better this season than originally advertised. They started the week with a win over Scott 82-75, then a tough loss to the Cooper Jags 77-66, and a loss to Campbell Co in the John Turner Classic 88-61. This coming week sees them at Hughes (Cincinnati) on Tues Dec. 13, then a game at Holmes Sat Dec 17. 

   10. Ryle (2-2)

            The Ryle Raiders make their first appearance in the Top 10 by merit of beating the Lloyd Juggernauts in Erlanger 56-51. They began the week also with a win over Holmes 61-44. They’ll be at Boone Co. Fri Dec 16, then at Newport Sat Dec 17. 

 

11. Beechwood (1-4)
12. Dixie (1-3)
13. Boone County (0-5)
14. Holmes (0-4)
15. Ludlow (3-2)
16. Heritage Academy (4-1)
17. Bellevue (3-0)
18. Villa Madonna (1-4)
19. Dayton (1-5)
20. Covington Latin (0-6)

 

Some key games this week:

Holy Cross at CovCath Tues Dec 13

Highlands hosts Campbell Co. Tues Dec 13

Cooper at Conner Fri Dec 16

Newport at Lloyd Tues Dec 13

I was told tickets to HC at CovCath went pre-sale and sold out in no time.  Can anyone confirm?  

4 minutes ago, Hoops Junkie said:

I was told tickets to HC at CovCath went pre-sale and sold out in no time.  Can anyone confirm?  

I don’t know the answer to the question, but if that is true, Holy Cross students weren’t notified or given the opportunity to buy any.  

29 minutes ago, rjal said:

I don’t know the answer to the question, but if that is true, Holy Cross students weren’t notified or given the opportunity to buy any.  

I just looked online and there seems to be tickets available.  Maybe they sold a certain amount presale.  My son’s friend told him they sold out in four hours.