9th Region Week 11 Rankings and Review

As we approach the postseason, Newport, Cooper, and CovCath have separated themselves from the pack. Lloyd is hanging out by themselves where they aren't quite at the same level as the top 3 but are definitely above the rest of the field at the moment. It would still floor me if none of these four teams won the regional tournament, but the teams below them down to about spot 11 are all capable of making some noise come tournament time.

There were some thrilling games last week and there are some marquis matchups this week that should mimic the feel of a postseason match closely. Let's dive in.

Rankings:

1. Newport - The Wildcats cruised again last week notching two double digit wins over district foe Newport Central Catholic and the feisty Cougars of Conner. In fact, outside their loss to Covington Catholic, no 9th region team has gotten within double digits of the Wildcats in the final tally of a game all year. Taylen Kinney is back to his productive ways after injury, scoring 20 & 12 respectively while Jabari Covington led the Wildcats in both games with 22 & 15. They have a bear of a week in store as they face Cooper on the road before hosting the Juggernauts of Lloyd Memorial. It is exceptionally likely that at least one of these two games will be repeated in the regional tournament if not both. Should make for some highly entertaining basketball.

2. Cooper - Yamil Rondon was sidelined with injury and Andy Johnson was also not yet back in the lineup as the Jaguars defeated Newport Central Catholic by 21 on the road. Jaiden Combs led the effort with 16. They host Newport in what is certainly my pick for game of the week this week before hosting Grant County. It is expected that Rondon and Johnson will make it back before postseason play but whether or not either one of them is back in time for the Tuesday tilt with the Wildcats is unknown.

3. Covington Catholic - Caden Miller's 18 points and 14 rebounds powered the Colonels past district rival Holy Cross. CovCath plays a pair of 34th district teams this week, going on the road to play Lloyd in what is sure to be an exciting bout between two contenders and then hosting the Red Colonels of Dixie Heights.

4. Lloyd Memorial - Isaiah Sebastian had 23 points and EJ Walker 21 in a rout of St. Henry before Lloyd secured a thrilling 3 point win over Highlands on the road. Elijah Collins stepped up and provided 23 points, 18 of them coming from beyond the arc. Sebastian was limited to just 2 points in that game. All three of them as well as Anthony Blaackar scored double digits against Oldham County but it wasn't enough to pull out the win and they lost by 2. The Juggernauts have a very busy week that features some top tier competition as they play CovCath, Cincinnati Trailblazers (homeschool), Newport and Collins. This week gives Lloyd the chance to prove themselves a true contender in the region.

5. Boone County - The Rebels played a pair of 37th district teams and split the week as they defeated Brossart handily but fell to Campbell County. They have another week against all non-region competition as they host Simon Kenton and McNicholas (Cincinnati) before traveling to Louisville to play the Holy Cross Cougars.

6. Highlands - Nathan Vinson scored 42 against Lloyd in a game the Birds lost at home by 3. Vinson accounted for seventy six percent of the Birds' points. The Birds would find themselves on the other side of a 3 point game as they defeated Montgomery County by 3 and Vinson scored 30. Highlands hosts Holy Cross before going out to Hebron to play Conner.

7. Ryle - The Raiders are just 2 - 5 in February and got both wins last week as they beat Scott and St. Henry but lost to Campbell County. Jonathan DeGroff scored 17 against Campbell and 19 against St. Henry. They face Bishop Brossart and St. Xavier (Louisville) this week and have no other regular season games against 9th region competition. 

8. Dixie Heights - Hudson Blank, Griffin Derry & Max Rubemeyer continue to be a three-headed monster for Dixie as they gain two wins over Scott and Holy Cross. After hovering right around .500 all year, the Colonels have gone on a five game winning streak getting them up to 15 - 9. They travel to Walton Verona and Covington Catholic before hosting Williamstown. 

9. Holy Cross - It was a rough week for Holy Cross as they went 0 - 3 with district losses to Covington Catholic and Beechwood as well as a loss to Dixie. Nate Rominger led them each game in scoring and continues to lead them on the year with 15.7 points per game. The Beechwood game was a wild one, the Tigers getting the best of Holy Cross by 2 in triple overtime. These two almost will meet again in the district tournament and hopefully it is just as intense.

10. Conner - The Cougars had one game last week, an unsuccessful road trip to Newport. Landon Warner and Chase Huff both scored 10. They host a pair of 36th district teams this week as both Newport Central Catholic and Highlands come to Hebron to visit.

11. Beechwood

12. St. Henry

13. Newport Central Catholic

14. Ludlow

15. Bellevue

16. Villa Madonna

17. Heritage

18. Holmes

19. Dayton

20. Covington Latin