Well now the stage is set. Cooper and Newport will play Tuesday March 12th at 7:00 PM at Truist Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University for the regional title and the right to go to Rupp to compete for a state title. If anything has been proven this week, it is that the winner of this game will be a serious contender to win a state title. Let's go through the first two rounds then breakdown the title game matchup.

Quarterfinals

Lloyd Memorial 59 Beechwood 30

The tournament started with a blowout behind EJ Walker's 15 points and 13 boards as the Juggernauts limited Beechwood's Jack Sullivan to just 6 points.

Newport 45 Ryle 43

Ryle had Newport on the ropes most of this game but could not prevent a second half surge by the Wildcats. It included one of the more intriguing coaching calls of the tournament as Coach Snapp had his team foul sub-fifty-percent free thrower shooter Evan Smith up two in the final moments of the game. It was an ugly win for the Wildcats as they shot just 27.5% from the floor but Taylen Kinney put them on his back offensively, raking up 22 points.

Covington Catholic 49 Dixie Heights 47

From losing by 40 less than 3 weeks earlier to having a shot up for the win, Dixie can walk away knowing they laid it all out on the court. CovCath was out in front by a decent margin until the last minute where they watched their 7 point lead evaporate down to just 2 after a series of missed free throws and turnovers. Caden Miller had 17 points and 10 rebounds while Cash Harney also scored 17. 

Cooper 81 Highlands 46

A healthy Andy Johnson dominated the Bluebirds, scoring 22 and getting 7 rebounds. Yamil Rondon added 12 points of his own. Nathan Vinson scored 15 in his final high school game.

Semifinals

Newport 60 Lloyd Memorial 29

In a rematch from last year's tournament that lead to some dramatic off the court moments, the Wildcats erased any potential for on-the-court suspense as they rolled right over Lloyd on their way to the title game. Jabari Covington had 14 while James Turner and Taylen Kinney each had 13.

Cooper 55 Covington Catholic 36

Unlike the Newport Wildcats who found themselves on the brink of elimination in the first round but gained their momentum back for the semifinals, Covington Catholic never really shook off the tight victory over Dixie and Cooper took advantage. Cooper now has won three games in a row over the Colonels. Yamil Rondon went out with a reinjury of his shoulder and although the Jaguars are no strangers to playing shorthanded it will still be a major loss if he can't go Tuesday.

Finals Preview

So that leaves us with Newport versus Cooper. As just stated, the status of Yamil Rondon is unknown. Both Taylen Kinney and Andy Johnson have put in major performances so far for their respective teams. Newport won this matchup 48 to 42 roughly a month ago on February 13th but Cooper was still without the injured Andy Johnson at that time as well as Yamil Rondon. Shaun Pouncy led the way for the Jaguars with 19. Taylen Kinney went off in that game for 28 and no other Wildcat reached double figures. It is sure to be another packed house at Truist Arena and, in my opinion, will come down to which star rises to the moment, Johnson or Kinney. Both teams have tremendous talent behind those 2, but, especially with Rondon questionable for the Jaguars, you have to think the these two will be the ones to really lift their respective teams.

We will be back next week to recap the game and preview the winner's projected path in the state tournament.

So far the officials have let teams play in each game, no reason to think they'll change that for the final. With that being said how will each team respond to the other physicality? This game was a heated affair in the regular season match up and I believe will be again. As long as Newport doesn't shoot they way they did against Ryle, I believe they'll win.

 

P.S. make sure to get to the arena plenty early, the lines to get in and buy a ticket take a good amount of time. Leaving yesterday took about 30 minutes to get off campus.

If Rondon plays I like the Jags in this one. The physicality of Ryle really bothered Newport Monday night and I believe Pouncey will give them the same energy. Should be a dandy whichever way it goes. 

I’ve said since January that once the Jags have a full roster I expect them to be a tough out and I’m sticking to that prediction. I expect Cooper will be at full strength and yes, that includes Rondon. 
Cooper has been locked in even more on defense since Andy Johnson’s return and he adds a punch on offense that they didn’t have while he was out for almost 3 months. 
Newport has Kinney who is just special and the advantage of size  but I firmly believe that the Jags physicality of Pouncy and Combs can will neutralize that advantage as in their first meeting which was a 2 point game with just under 2 mins to go. Isaiah Johnson is that hidden weapon who’s just quietly comes up with a block or an offensive put back when you least expect it. 
Depth could play huge part in this game if there is foul trouble and Cooper”s rotation of 9-10 players could pay a huge role if that happens. 
 

This game has the makings another 9th Region classic…Get you popcorn ready!!

Go Jags!!