3 hours ago, The Double Deuce said:

Well, the most obvious is the fact that Joe Fredrick is no longer there, and that will have a major impact on kids wanting to come play there.  Then it appears unlikely Athens McGillis is back, so again, that would be a big blow to the returning Colonels.  I think those two will have a major impact on CovCath this year and beyond, but I guess time will tell.  

I've heard Joe is gone but I haven't ever got confirmation of it, or saw him confirm it on social media. But Athens would be a huge blow to what they have going on. CCH will always be CCH but Joe and Coach Ruthsatz have definitely elevated it to a level that is gonna be hard to maintain so it was only a matter of time.

With the big changes CCH will only win 25 games.

CovCath has a new coach:

 

Bump.

Newport.

 

Cooper.CCH.

 

Everyone else.

1 minute ago, GoBucks97 said:

Newport.

 

Cooper.CCH.

 

Everyone else.

That is what I fear about the 9th Region this year and that is Newport is 15 points better than everyone.  And if that is not bad enough, the Jags and Colonels will stomp the life out of everyone else.  In other words, no hope in the 9th Region this year...

Anyone disagree?

1 hour ago, theguru said:

That is what I fear about the 9th Region this year and that is Newport is 15 points better than everyone.  And if that is not bad enough, the Jags and Colonels will stomp the life out of everyone else.  In other words, no hope in the 9th Region this year...

Anyone disagree?

I will, somewhat. I cannot speak for CCH but I will comment on the Jags. You’ll get no disagreement from me that Newport is undoubtedly the best team in NKY with the talent they have. You may even be accurate that they may beat Cooper in-season, if they even play as I do not see that match-up on the schedule, by 15 due to the fact that Cooper has 6 KEY players (4 of them likely starters) that also play football so their arrival may be significantly late if in fact the Jags make a deep run into the playoffs similar to last season. 
 

I will be interested to see a matchup with both teams at full strength and that game I do not see the Jags losing by 15. I think it will be a dog fight just like the last two regional finals once the football Jags have their basketball legs underneath them and that, most likely, may not be until mid-late January. I’m a believer in Coach Sully in getting his players to play beyond their capabilities on defense. 
 

Until then you are 100% spot on and the Wildcats are the clear leaders and regional favorite. 

School has not started yet. 

41 minutes ago, Mr. Sixer said:

I will, somewhat. I cannot speak for CCH but I will comment on the Jags. You’ll get no disagreement from me that Newport is undoubtedly the best team in NKY with the talent they have. You may even be accurate that they may beat Cooper in-season, if they even play as I do not see that match-up on the schedule, by 15 due to the fact that Cooper has 6 KEY players (4 of them likely starters) that also play football so their arrival may be significantly late if in fact the Jags make a deep run into the playoffs similar to last season. 
 

I will be interested to see a matchup with both teams at full strength and that game I do not see the Jags losing by 15. I think it will be a dog fight just like the last two regional finals once the football Jags have their basketball legs underneath them and that, most likely, may not be until mid-late January. I’m a believer in Coach Sully in getting his players to play beyond their capabilities on defense. 
 

Until then you are 100% spot on and the Wildcats are the clear leaders and regional favorite. 

In all reality Tay and several of Newport's starters are facing better defenders and talent on their big level AAU circuits. Yes cooper plays awesome team defense and plays hard, but I don't think some football guys are slowing this team down. And I love Andy Johnson scoring prowess and him as a player, but Taylen is arguably the best talent we have seen in the 9th in 30 years. Talent evaluators and scouts clearly back that up! He's currently running the show, scoring against future pros and then gonna come play 9th region ball. I expect him to take a major leap next year. Might average 30!

And to your other comment I think CCH will be second not cooper, and also have the best coach in the region going forward. He's been at high D1 level for the past 5-7 years, he is gonna run all the right sets, push all the right buttons and make sure he gets the most out of every kid. That's not to mention he knows and saw what it takes to play at the highest level so to speak, he will apply that to his high school kids. Sad thing is Guru is right, this region has been a two horse race for several years now. Newport over took that and made it a 3 team race. 

12 minutes ago, GoBucks97 said:

In all reality Tay and several of Newport's starters are facing better defenders and talent on their big level AAU circuits. Yes cooper plays awesome team defense and plays hard, but I don't think some football guys are slowing this team down. And I love Andy Johnson scoring prowess and him as a player, but Taylen is arguably the best talent we have seen in the 9th in 30 years. Talent evaluators and scouts clearly back that up! He's currently running the show, scoring against future pros and then gonna come play 9th region ball. I expect him to take a major leap next year. Might average 30!

Sorry to burst your bubble but they have not played defense nor promoted it in AAU for years. The only thing that may hold water is the fact that you face better athletes, but defense not a chance.

32 minutes ago, GoBucks97 said:

And to your other comment I think CCH will be second not cooper, and also have the best coach in the region going forward. He's been at high D1 level for the past 5-7 years, he is gonna run all the right sets, push all the right buttons and make sure he gets the most out of every kid. That's not to mention he knows and saw what it takes to play at the highest level so to speak, he will apply that to his high school kids. Sad thing is Guru is right, this region has been a two horse race for several years now. Newport over took that and made it a 3 team race. 

Based on what?  Pretty bold statement for someone who hasn't coached his first game yet as a Head Coach.  Ultimately he may end up being just that but to say he's at the same level as Snapp, Sullivan and for that matter coach Ruthatz who did a darn good job of "pushing right buttons", running the right sets, etc. at one of the highest profile programs in the state is pretty big.  I wish him success, like all NKY programs but I'll have to see it to believe it.  

49 minutes ago, GoBucks97 said:

In all reality Tay and several of Newport's starters are facing better defenders and talent on their big level AAU circuits. Yes cooper plays awesome team defense and plays hard, but I don't think some football guys are slowing this team down. And I love Andy Johnson scoring prowess and him as a player, but Taylen is arguably the best talent we have seen in the 9th in 30 years. Talent evaluators and scouts clearly back that up! He's currently running the show, scoring against future pros and then gonna come play 9th region ball. I expect him to take a major leap next year. Might average 30!

Interesting point to ponder ... who are the most talented players from the 9th Region in the last 30 years?

 

49 minutes ago, GoBucks97 said:

In all reality Tay and several of Newport's starters are facing better defenders and talent on their big level AAU circuits. Yes cooper plays awesome team defense and plays hard, but I don't think some football guys are slowing this team down. And I love Andy Johnson scoring prowess and him as a player, but Taylen is arguably the best talent we have seen in the 9th in 30 years. Talent evaluators and scouts clearly back that up! He's currently running the show, scoring against future pros and then gonna come play 9th region ball. I expect him to take a major leap next year. Might average 30!

No one in the entire state has nothing but rave reviews for Kinney and no one is going to "shut him down" and he very well could avg. 30 or more frankly.  I'll disagree that he's played against better "team" defenses in AAU as not the focus of AAU basketball which I have coached for over 20 years and very few play it to the level they should from a team perspective. Your point on better talent is 100% accurate. My point is he is one player and on any given night anything can happen when you play TEAM defense.  

I hope the masses sleep on Cooper, CCH and a couple of other teams for that matter because I've seen some whacky things happen in the 9th over the last 30 years.  Newport is king until beaten.

Rumor up here in Hebron is that there will be roster shakeup on the ninth region before school starts, with departures not additions. Good possibility these rankings will change.