This is the first weekly review of the year and accounts for 11/27 through 12/3. We will get back on a normally scheduled reviews starting Monday - so some of this will obviously change as we take into account this week's games. 

Everyone knows headed into this year that the spotlight is on Newport and Covington Catholic. We will see have some clarity on where they currently stand when compared to each other as they play on the 9th. But the first week of play really shouldn't dissuade anyone from the notion that these are the top two teams. Cooper may eventually make a credible claim but after them we have a slew of teams jockeying for position and I expect to see spots four through nine shakeup a good amount from week to week, especially this early in the season.

1. Newport - The Wildcats had a big week right out of the gate. Their opening win was a decisive blowout against district foe Dayton. That game saw Taylen Kinney score 24 points, going a perfect three for three from beyond the arc. But the big splash of the week was the victory over nationally touted Richmond Heights of Ohio in the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic in Mason, Ohio. Taylen Kinney again stood out, scoring 27. As a team, the Wildcats went 7 of 12 from three point range with Kinney, Noah Silverton, and Jabari Covington all connecting from long distance. Week 2 features games against Boone County, Dixie Heights, and their fellow contender, Covington Catholic.

2. Covington Catholic - Speaking of the Colonels, they opened with back to back wins over Simon Kenton and Western Heights of Australia before falling to Great Crossing, who many consider to be the best team in the state at the moment. Caden Miller recorded a double-double in each of the first three games, nabbing an astounding 17 boards in the opening game against the Pioneers. Brady Hussey and Athens McGillis, alongside Miller, led the way in the scoring column for the Colonels in the opening week. Week 2 has them facing St. Henry and the mighty Wildcats of Newport.

3. Cooper - Coach Sullivan's Jaguars went 1 - 1 in the opening week with a victory over St. Henry and a loss to Delaware Christian of Ohio in overtime. Andy Johnson averaged 25 points between the two games as well as averaging 10 rebounds. Jaiden Combs will return from the gridiron to help fill out the roster for Week 2 (spoiler alert - Andy Johnson ends up a scratch for their first game of week 2 as Combs returns). Week 2 features contests against two legendary Cincinnati schools, Elder and St. Xavier.

4. Ryle - Week 1 had the Raiders go undefeated over three games with victories over South Oldham, Holy Cross, and Gallatin County. Landon Lorms led the Raiders in scoring each game with 21, 21 and 16 respectively. Anthony Coppola also scored 21 in the win over Holy Cross. The Raiders are certainly pouring in the offense early and if they can keep that up, they may be up in the rankings to stay and be a threat to get out of the very competitive 33rd district. Week 2 features the Raiders playing Lloyd and Central Hardin.

5. Lloyd Memorial - The Juggernauts got both their first week games in over the weekend at the Ohio Valley Classic, losing to Sycamore and defeating Goshen, both from Ohio. EJ Walker averaged 16, leading them in scoring both games as well as 10.5 rebounds. They square off against Villa Madonna and Ryle in week two. 

6. Boone County - The Rebels are probably the darling of week 1 as they go 3 - 0 with wins over Newport Central Catholic, Highlands, and Tates Creek. Mason Hall has been spectacular early, with his feature performance being a 26 point night against the Bluebirds in a blowout victory. Week 2 features just one game for the Rebels against Newport on the road.

7. Highlands - The Bluebirds took one on the chin from Boone on the road, but Week 1 also featured wins over Scott and the Cincinnati Trailblazers homeschool squad. Nathan Vinson scored 50 over the first two games before taking on a very limited role against the Trailblazers. Brayden Moeves put on quite a performance with 21 points in the opening game but went 2 for 10 from 3 point range in the loss to the Rebels. The Bluebirds have the talent to be a serious threat to make a run in the postseason, but they are going to have to develop their depth as the season progresses. Week 2 has the Birds on the road to take on St. Henry and St. Xavier (KY).

8. Dixie Heights - The Colonels opened up with a tough 24 point loss to Campbell County but recovered with a win over Simon Kenton. It was a dismal shooting night against the Camels as they went 35 percent from the field but flipped the script against the Pioneers, shooting 57 percent and holding them to 44 points. Week 2 has the Colonels hosting Conner and Newport. If they can contain both of those squads it will go a long way to seeing if they are legit, especially defensively.

9. Conner - The Cougars were out manned by visiting Henry Clay by the tune of 75 to 48 but bounced back with an exciting three point win over St. Henry on the road. Finn Louden scored 33 in the victory. Conner has Dixie Heights and Mariemont (OH) in Week 2.

10. Holy Cross - So this is where the dropoff happens. Holy Cross defeated the Cincinnati Trailblazers and fell to Ryle in Week 1. There are some bright spots in Latonia but this should still be viewed as the start of the rebuild. Nate Rominger is one of the standout sophomores in the region and he showed it these first two games. It will be fun to watch him develop his game throughout the year.

11. St. Henry - The Cru couldn't get it done at home, losing to both Conner and Cooper. However, they did participate Riverview Meat Tip-off Classic in Harrison County and defeated Doss. Andrew Flanagan had 25 in the win. They play CovCath and Highlands in Week 2.

12. Newport Central Catholic - Something to watch for with the Thoroughbreds based on the (very small sample sized) Week 1 results - they lost to Boone County by double digits when Caleb Eaglin and Ian Mann scored 43 of the team's 58 points. They routed Dayton by 30 and Mann & Eaglin accounted for just 33 of their 84 points. I know that win isn't competitive and it is just two games, but I am concerned that if the 'Breds rely on Mann & Eaglin almost solely, they aren't going to go far. The two Luhns and Vinny Petroze offer good supplemental options. We will have to stay tuned to see if they are able to consistently produce offense to complement the two leading scorers. They square off against Scott, Bracken County, and Campbell County in Week 2.

13. Beechwood - So I think this starts the fourth tier of the competition in the region. Can teams 13 through 19 beat some of the teams higher than them on a given night? Sure. Do I expect it? Not at all. Beechwood opened with a loss to Grant County though Jack Sullivan stood out with his 20 points. They came back with a win over Bracken County. They travel to Scott and Brossart in Week 2.

14. Ludlow - The Panthers fell to Trimble County in overtime and defeated Bracken County. Spencer Brandenburg scored 29 in the loss, Elijah Perrin scored 29 in the win. They face Heritage Academy and Calvary Christian, both conference opponents, in Week 2.

15. Villa Madonna - The Vikings competed with but fell to Bishop Brossart by 5 and lost to McNicholas of Cincinnati on the road. They face Dayton, Lloyd and Bellevue in Week 2.

16. Bellevue - The Tigers did not play in Week 1. Two conference games against Calvary and Villa are on the Week 2 schedule.

17. Dayton - Rough start for the Green Devils as they fall to Newport, NCC and Highlands Latin. They face conference opponents Villa and Heritage in Week 2.

18. Holmes - The Bulldogs fell to Pendleton County and Nicholas County. Week 2 has them playing Ryle and Williamstown.

19. Heritage - The Eagles beat Brown and lost to Berea. They face Ludlow and Dayton, both conference foes, in Week 2.

20. Covington Latin - The Trojans did not play Week 1 and have just the Kentucky School for the Deaf on the schedule for Week 2.

 

Great write up @se7ens!  Looking forward to some nice conversations this season.....

 

Will the John Turner Classic games at Newport be available for audio or video streaming?