The draw is set. The only thing that will happen this week is the opening round, all games at NKU on Saturday 3/8.

1:00 PM

Cooper vs. Highlands -  The first version of this game occurred at Cooper on January 31 and was a 68-56 Jaguar win. Nathan Richard and Finn Bouldin had 17 a piece for the Birds. Vincent Listerman was held to 4. Andy Johnson went off for Cooper for 31 points, the only double digit scorer for the Jags. He went 5 of 8 from 3.

The Jaguars are more than Andy Johnson. But the Birds simply didn’t do what was required to limit the best player on the court last time. On the flip side, the Birds are capable of a better game than they produced. But they will need to be on their A game this time out, something that wasn’t apparent last night in the district finals.

2:30 PM

Covington Catholic vs. Dixie Heights - The battle of the Colonels, this matchup just played out two weeks ago at Dixie and it was a run away win for CovCath, 79-53. Cash Harney had 19 with McGillis and Bradshaw both scoring 17. 

Dixie has been a great story this year and performed better than expected. However, it is clear that CovCath is the superior squad, especially at this moment.

6:30 PM

Newport vs. Holy Cross - Griffin Starks had 27 and Yamil Rondon had 23 when Newport beat Holy Cross back on January 25th with a score of 70-59. Luke Arlinghaus had 21. Holy Cross is capable of winning this one but Newport may be playing their best ball of the year at the right moment.

8:00 PM

Lloyd Memorial vs. Ryle - These two teams played the first week of the season and it was a Juggernaut win 65-57. Lloyd has not last since playing Simon Kenton on January 21. Ryle has only lost to St. Xavier, Cooper and CovCath since they lost to Conner on January 24th. They avenged that loss in the district semifinals. Lloyd has the edge here but don’t count on the Raiders.

For the 3rd season in a row I look for it to be CovCath, Cooper, Newport and Lloyd. Any of those 4 teams could win the region. I am going with the Juggs and their senior laden team to get it done. 

Tough draw for HHS, but you play ‘em as they come up on the schedule. 

Ryle is playing very well right now.

2 hours ago, PP1 said:

Ryle is playing very well right now.

And unbeknownst to me until this afternoon, Landon Lorms has passed Doellman in all time points at Ryle. That’s wild. I think the Lloyd Ryle game should be incredible.

Also, autocorrect made me say don’t count on Ryle. I meant don’t count them out. Definitely see them being competitive here.

I think we see Cooper vs. Newport for the third year in a row for the 9th region championship! 

I agree, with cooper taking it this time. Last year Newport was certainly able to get into Rondons head. Can Cooper do the same? I’d say Lloyd could make it but their emotions are too much for me to pick them to get that far. 

15 hours ago, Breds82 said:

I’d say Lloyd could make it but their emotions are too much for me to pick them to get that far. 

Could you elaborate a little bit more on what you mean? Emotions are definitely a big part of the game at this time of year. I feel like all teams will have their emotions going wild, is there something with Lloyd's holding them back?

22 minutes ago, Honey Badger said:

Could you elaborate a little bit more on what you mean? Emotions are definitely a big part of the game at this time of year. I feel like all teams will have their emotions going wild, is there something with Lloyd's holding them back?

I don’t speak for Breds.  But sometimes “emotions” is code for “lack of discipline”.

6 minutes ago, mcpapa said:

I don’t speak for Breds.  But sometimes “emotions” is code for “lack of discipline”.

In your opinion would you say Lloyd has an issue with lack of discipline? Or you were just stating what some could refer to as in emotions. 

After seeing them both play this season I do believe Lloyd and Newport are both overly emotional and lack discipline…..until they are beat at this point Cooper has to be the favorite…..best Coach in the Region and the best player in the region so to me that makes Cooper the clear favorite.

That all being said, any one of Newport, Lloyd, Cooper, and Cov Cath can easily win the region.  I expect those 4 to advance and their semifinal games to be absolute dog fights with some of the best basketball this region has seen in a while. Buckle up!

1 hour ago, Honey Badger said:

In your opinion would you say Lloyd has an issue with lack of discipline? Or you were just stating what some could refer to as in emotions. 

I haven’t seen them.  

15 hours ago, Cov_Cath_Hwy said:

Lloyd and Newport are both overly emotional and lack discipline…

Could you elaborate a little bit more on where they lack discipline? I have been waiting on Newport to play their best ball and don't think they have done it yet, although the recent win over Highlands could be it really coming together. Lloyd lost some games that they had full control of that they really should have won...SK, Cooper and Cov Cath. This lack of discipline that you speak of, is that what has been holding both teams back? I have been trying to think of where these teams issues are at and haven't really been able to pin point it. Maybe there is a discipline factor I have been over looking...I've seen each play 3 times and seen they play hard and emotional but undiscipline never really popped into my mind. Does being out coached fall under discipline somewhere? I noticed them not being very deep and out of shape when I saw them earlier in the year, does that come from lack of discipline? Would really like to know so I could open my eyes to something I may be overlooking.

Newport vs Cooper in championship. 
 

Big Newport guy here but would love to see Coach Johnson continue his success at Holy Cross with a nice run. Newport has too much for them in my opinion. 

8 hours ago, Honey Badger said:

Could you elaborate a little bit more on where they lack discipline? I have been waiting on Newport to play their best ball and don't think they have done it yet, although the recent win over Highlands could be it really coming together. Lloyd lost some games that they had full control of that they really should have won...SK, Cooper and Cov Cath. This lack of discipline that you speak of, is that what has been holding both teams back? I have been trying to think of where these teams issues are at and haven't really been able to pin point it. Maybe there is a discipline factor I have been over looking...I've seen each play 3 times and seen they play hard and emotional but undiscipline never really popped into my mind. Does being out coached fall under discipline somewhere? I noticed them not being very deep and out of shape when I saw them earlier in the year, does that come from lack of discipline? Would really like to know so I could open my eyes to something I may be overlooking.

Lack of discipline late in games from a composure, organization and defensive effort is a have I seen out of Newport and Lloyd…..I think it mostly speaks to coaching and mental toughness….Honestly, I thought both Newport and Lloyd should have beaten Cov. Cath.  However, after both teams had the Colonels down most of the game, I saw Newport and Lloyd down the stretch lose their composure, look disorganized & out of sorts, and in some cases give up defensively especially in the last couple of minutes in both games.  And Newport really let their emotions I thought get the best of them in the Cooper game.  To me that speaks to Coaching.  Not that Walker and Sapp are bad coaches, but more so this year they do not seem to have their squads as buttoned up and as tight as they have been in past years.  It’s a shame to because Walker is playing out of His mind and I think Newports other big(not Starks, cannot remember His name) could be having a monster season with a little more Coaching……I mean Newport had a massive size advantage and their 2 bigs did nothing against Cov. Cath. as it looked Newport did not game plan for the Bigs to be a part of that game and the frustration by the end of the Cov. Cath. game it very clearly showed.  
 

The Region is wide open amongst those 4 teams, but Newport & Lloyd are going to have to get way way better, tougher, and more disciplined if they are going to beat Cooper who I believe is the very clear favorite…..