The big takeaways from last week in the 9th:

- Newport wins the All A Classic regional. Both CovCath and Newport have proven they are the clear top two in the region and no one is really close (on a consistent basis).

- The 33rd district is wild. They have teams three through six this week and they are really interchangeable. Though not to the same level as CovCath and Newport on a regular basis, Cooper, Boone and Ryle are definitely good enough to beat CovCath or Newport on any given night (as is Lloyd from the 34th district).

- Holy Cross, Highlands and Dixie represent the rest of the teams in the region capable of postseason success. That puts us at 9 teams in that "competitive" category. 8 of those 9 should make the regional tournament with one of the top 3 from the 33rd not making it. Beechwood is capable of getting past Holy Cross if they do indeed find themselves in the 2/3 game (as they should), but Holy Cross certainly has proven themselves the more complete team at the moment. NCC could beat Highlands and Dixie could fall to whoever gets the other spot in the 2/3 game, but that would be a bigger stretch.

Rankings:

1. Covington Catholic

2. Newport

3. Lloyd

4. Cooper

5. Boone County

6. Ryle

7. Holy Cross

8. Highlands

9. Dixie

10. Beechwood

11. Conner

12. St. Henry

13. NCC

14. Ludlow

15. Bellevue

16. Villa Madonna

17. Holmes

18. Heritage

19. Dayton

20. Covington Latin

We find out this week how much of a contender Lloyd is. Cooper then CCH. 

40 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

We find out this week how much of a contender Lloyd is. Cooper then CCH. 

I think they get Cooper. But CovCath may run them off the court. I think the gap between the top two and everyone else is getting pretty massive.

Nice list.  Holy Cross is my favorite underdog this season!  Exciting young guys on that team!

6 minutes ago, RedHawk said:

Nice list.  Holy Cross is my favorite underdog this season!  Exciting young guys on that team!

I do love the HC story line. After losing what they lost last year and with a new coach (1st time head coach at that). Kudos to that group of coaches and players to exceed expectations. Keep it going. Truly one of the feel-good stories in the 9th.

1 hour ago, se7ens said:

I think they get Cooper. But CovCath may run them off the court. I think the gap between the top two and everyone else is getting pretty massive.

Maybe, maybe not.  I try not to pay too much attention to the "in-season" rankings as usually teams are either still trying to figure out rotations or what identity the team will have.  I do know this, Cooper normally figures it all out come tournament time as traditionally all of the football players are trying to find their baskeball rythm this time of year and Cooper's consistency is definitely not where Coach Sully will have them in another month.  I kind of like them in the middle of the pack but I am sure come March they will be playing their best basketball plus they will be getting one of their best players back from injury in the not too distant future.

For now, no issues whatsoever with the top teams as they are all playing consistently much better.

34 minutes ago, Hoops Junkie said:

I do love the HC story line. After losing what they lost last year and with a new coach (1st time head coach at that). Kudos to that group of coaches and players to exceed expectations. Keep it going. Truly one of the feel-good stories in the 9th.

Could not agree more.  Checked out HC vs. Conner and I was pleasantly surprised with what Coach Johnson is building with his very young team.  Nice to see him having so much success when so many doubters said he wasn't "qualified" to lead a program.  Keep proving yourself right Coach Ric!! 

Looks good. Boone has to be the surprise team, Coach Browning and staff deserve à lot of credit this year. 

5 minutes ago, allsport71 said:

Looks good. Boone has to be the surprise team, Coach Browning and staff deserve à lot of credit this year. 

Yes, credit deserved. A team of all seniors helps, but they still have to make it work.

12 hours ago, allsport71 said:

Looks good. Boone has to be the surprise team, Coach Browning and staff deserve à lot of credit this year. 

Couldn't agree more! Know Coach Browning since his days at Ockerman MS. and he's endured some tough seasons so I am glad to see he's stuck with it and have some success.