9th Region: Week 11

The home stretch is upon us. One week left in the regular season. For the most part the district tournament schedules are now in stone. Most teams will take this week a little lighter and prep for their district tournament opponent, if that’s known.

To me there are 11 teams who are capable of making noise in the postseason. Only 8 of those teams will actually make the region. There will be three extraordinary excellent semifinals in the 33rd, 35th and 36th featuring teams in the top 11. 

Let’s take a look at the rankings as we enter the last week of the regular season.

Rankings

1. Lloyd Memorial - Their winning streak is up to 9 as they took down Highlands, the Trailblazers of Cincinnati, and Collins. The win over Collins was the closest of the streak with a 13 point scoring differential. They have just one game this week but it’s a candidate for game of the week as they square off with Conner. They have clinched the one seed in the district.

2. Cooper - The Jaguars bounced back last week with crushing victories over Fairdale and LCA. They face Dixie and Collins this week. They have locked up the one seed in the district. You are also going to start to see Andy Johnson, scoring 24 points per game, rack up some serious accolades.

3. Covington Catholic - The Colonels had 2 road games last week, falling at Montgomery County but crushing Dixie. Cash Harney had 19 in the win, going 4 for 7 from 3. They face Conner, Moeller and Madison Central this week. They have clinched the 1 seed in the district and will face Holmes in the district semifinal. 

4. Conner - The Cougars, after a brutal 0-3 week, bounced back with a 3-0 performance, defeating Newport, NCC, and South Dearborn (IN). Finn Louden had 21 in the thrilling four point win over Newport. Conner faces regional contenders CovCath and Lloyd this week as they prepare for their district matchup against Ryle.

5. Newport - The Wildcats played two tough ones last week, getting a win over Dixie but losing to Conner. They face Beechwood on the road this week to end the regular season. James Turner had 25 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to Conner.

6. Dixie Heights - The Colonels went 2-2 last week with wins over Bracken County and Holy Cross but losses to Newport and CovCath. Griffin Derry had 18 against Holy Cross, going four for seven from three point range.

7. Highlands - The Birds fell to Lloyd, Holy Cross and Montgomery County in what was a really rough week. They host Simon Kenton and Beechwood this week.

8. Ryle - The Raiders had two home wins over Campbell County and Brossart but fell to Louisville St. Xavier on the road. They host East Central (IN) this week before that epic game against Conner the following week with a regional tournament berth on the line.

9. Beechwood - The Tigers defeated St. Henry and Trimble County this week. They have a tough week ahead as they square off with Newport and Highlands as they prepare for their district semifinal game against Holy Cross.

10. Holy Cross - The Indians fell to Dixie but defeated Highlands. They face Landmark Christian (OH) and St. Henry as they get ready for Beechwood.

11. Newport Central Catholic - The Breds fell to Walton and Conner. They face Campbell County and Brossart on the road as well as Dayton in their last district game. 

12. Holmes - The Bulldogs have Ludlow, Sayre and Bellevue this week as they get ready for the postseason.

13. St. Henry - The Crusaders haven’t won since January 21st. They have three home games this week as they get ready for their district semifinal against Dixie.

14. Boone County - The Rebels got a win over Dayton. They have two games this week as they prepare for their district semifinal against Heritage.

15. Ludlow - The Panthers lost to Owen County last week. They have two games this week as they prepare for the 4 vs 5 game against Villa. 

16. Heritage - The Eagles have three road games this week which is fitting as the 4 vs 5 game is a pure road game for them against Boone.

17. Bellevue - The Tigers square off against Covington Latin and Holmes this week.

18. Villa Madonna - The Vikings face Robertson County and Carroll County this week.

19. Dayton- The Green Devils  have St. Patrick and NCC this week.

20. Covington Latin - The Trojans face Bellevue and St. Patrick this week.