9th Region: Week 6

The winter weather knocked out a ton of games last week. Initially I thought we would get an exciting Friday night reprieve. They did not happen as another wave of snow came in and disrupted the weekend's action as well. There were a few exciting games and Thomas More was able to get their showcase event in after some logistical shuffling. That featured something the region has been waiting anxiously for - the debut of Yamil Rondon as a Newport Wildcat. Action is heating up as the snow thaws. Let's take a look at the rankings and a sneak peek at the week ahead.

Rankings:

1. Covington Catholic - Cash Harney's 24 points helped fend off the upstart Beechwood Tigers in a district game. The Colonels were able to sneak out of Tiger Country with a 4 point win. They host Holmes this week in another district game before hosting Highlands. That game is set to be a high flying affair. The Colonels are capable of cruising to a win there or it could be a dog fight to the last moments.

2. Lloyd - The Juggernauts had a blowout win over Villa Madonna followed by a nice win at Thomas More against Summit Country Day (Ohio). Jayden Humphrey scored 30 total between both games as he was essential to the win at TMC. They host Cooper in what may be the game of the week for the region. They then travel to face state contender Great Crossing this weekend as two of the state's best prospects, EJ Walker and Malachi Moreno, face each other. They will eventually see each other again in SEC play as Walker is a future Gamecock and Moreno a future UK Wildcat.

3. Cooper - The Jaguars were unable to get any games in last week. They face Lloyd and Ryle this week.

4. Highlands - The Birds were able to fend Brossart off on the road 71 to 67. Nathan Rickard had 13. They have a busy week this week to make up for the lack of action as they are set to play Dixie, the Cincinnati Trailblazers, and the Covington Catholic Colonels in Park Hills. 

5. Newport - The Wildcats did not get to play district foe Highlands, but Yamil Rondon did get to make his Wildcat debut in a 73 to 53 win over Walton at Thomas More. They are poised for an easy run to the All A championship game this week as they start with Villa and then would play the winner of Ludlow and Bellevue. 

6. Ryle - Grant County, Cooper, and Sayre make up the schedule for the Raiders this week as they come off an empty week due to weather.

7. Conner - No games last week for the Cougars. They have just Boone County this week.

8. Holy Cross - Luke Arlinghaus and Gavin Goetz both had 18 in a 30 point win over Holmes. The Indians await the winner of St. Henry and Beechwood in the All A regional.

9. Beechwood - The Tigers took CovCath to the wire in their lone game last week. They face St. Henry in the opening round of the All A tonight. If not playing in the A, they will face Madison Southern Saturday.

10. Dixie Heights - The Colonels defeated Simon Kenton in their lone game last week. They face Highlands and Tates Creek this week.

11. NCC - The Breds defeated Bellevue and St. Henry last week. Barring upset, they are poised to make it to at least the semifinals of the All A regional as they start against hosting Dayton tonight with Heritage awaiting the winner.

12. St. Henry - The Cru lost to NCC on Saturday. They start their run at the All A title tonight against Beechwood in what is sure to be a fun one at Dayton.

13. Holmes - The Bulldogs lost to rival Holy Cross in a game that feature Bulldog alumni as both head coaches. They face CovCath, Calvary Christian and Owen County this week in what is certainly a strange trio of games. 

14. Boone County - The Rebels were off last week and return to play against district foe Conner this week.

15. Heritage - Heritage lost a squeaker to Calvary Christian. They await the winner of Dayton and NCC in the All A.

16. Ludlow - No games last week, the Panthers are set to face Bellevue at Dayton in the All A.

17. Villa Madonna - The Vikings lost to both Lloyd and Trinity Christian. They face NCC in the opening round of the All A.

18. Bellevue - The Tigers face Ludlow in the All A after losing to NCC last week.

19. Dayton - The Green Devils host the All A and start with NCC.

20. Covington Latin - Latin is set to travel to St. Pat's this week for their second game of the year.