On 11/4/2025 at 4:38 PM, Yall Wear High Waters said:

I can't answer that, but those two are transfers I was referring to.

They both played with NCC during the summer session. 

16 hours ago, bluebirdwatcher said:

They both played with NCC during the summer session. 

Hmmmmm.

Were you hoping that they didn't play from a competition stand point? 9th region sports said that Sandfoss and Bivens are also playing basketball, I have zero clue how good either will be.

I came across the Cats' Pause 9th Region preview. Top ten teams look pretty familiar, though they have Lloyd at #3 and Holy Cross (#6) and Ryle (#7) are a bit surprising

Cats' Pause 9th Region Top Ten (my ranking in parenthesis).

1. CCH (1)

2. Highlands (3)

3. Lloyd (7)

4. Conner (5) 

5. Dixie (6) 

6. Holy Cross (2)

7. Ryle (4)

8. Newport (9)

9. Cooper (11)

10. Beechwood (8)

11 hours ago, Breds82 said:

Were you hoping that they didn't play from a competition stand point? 9th region sports said that Sandfoss and Bivens are also playing basketball, I have zero clue how good either will be.

Yes from a competition standpoint. Summer basketball is all over the place but was hoping maybe they were adding some pieces that weren't there in the summer. Sandfoss is a big body that should give them some good minutes but I could see him being " ran " off the floor in certain matchups. Bivens is a heck of an athlete and competitor I could see him giving them good minutes.

After Sandfoss missing extended time in football this year due to injury and being committed to Marshall for football it highly surprises me he is playing basketball. But really glad he is getting the most out of the time he has left in high school and giving it a go.

7 hours ago, Knight Owl said:

I came across the Cats' Pause 9th Region preview. Top ten teams look pretty familiar, though they have Lloyd at #3 and Holy Cross (#6) and Ryle (#7) are a bit surprising

Cats' Pause 9th Region Top Ten (my ranking in parenthesis).

1. CCH (1)

2. Highlands (3)

3. Lloyd (7)

4. Conner (5) 

5. Dixie (6) 

6. Holy Cross (2)

7. Ryle (4)

8. Newport (9)

9. Cooper (11)

10. Beechwood (8)

I think the 9th is going to be all over the place and any team may lose on any given night (minus Cov Cath) but come district play I think the Cats Pause is pretty close. Surprises me my top 8 were as close to the Cats Pause as it is. Beechwood not getting enough respect I hope ruffles their feathers. I may be just completely off on them, but I think they got something cooking over there in Ft. Mitchell that's going to suprise alot of people when its all said an done.

37 minutes ago, Honey Badger said:

Yes from a competition standpoint. Summer basketball is all over the place but was hoping maybe they were adding some pieces that weren't there in the summer. Sandfoss is a big body that should give them some good minutes but I could see him being " ran " off the floor in certain matchups. Bivens is a heck of an athlete and competitor I could see him giving them good minutes.

After Sandfoss missing extended time in football this year due to injury and being committed to Marshall for football it highly surprises me he is playing basketball. But really glad he is getting the most out of the time he has left in high school and giving it a go.

Bivens and Sandfoss didn’t play summer ball but Messmer and Stevie played the whole time. It will be nice to get some beef down low, and overall physicality level should be fine game to game. It’s how you use that aggression positively which will be the key.

4 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

Bivens and Sandfoss didn’t play summer ball but Messmer and Stevie played the whole time. It will be nice to get some beef down low, and overall physicality level should be fine game to game. It’s how you use that aggression positively which will be the key.

Yes should have worded that better referring to adding pieces. I think Sandfoss and Bivens are good additions. Whose going to be the go to guy? Louder?

9^th Region Preseason 1^st and 2^nd Teams and Player Watch List

 

Despite the loss of several talented players to graduation, including region co-players of the year Lloyd’s EJ Walker (South Carolina) and Cooper’s Andy Johnson (UIC), and (Newport’s Griffin Starks and James Turner), the 9^th region returns a lot of really talented players. I’ve created a list of the top 10 players, divided into Preseason 1^st and 2^nd Teams, which are dominated by the top teams in the region Cov Cath (4) and Holy Cross (3). Any of the top players for Cov Cath or Holy Cross may emerge as candidates for 9^th Region Player of the Year, particularly Athens McGillis, but I think the balance of both teams will depress their overall numbers. I expect Finn Louden to be in the running for 9^th Region Player of the Year while being one of the top scorers in the region and leading an underrated Conner team. My pick for 9^th Region Player of the Year is Anthony Blaackar. I expect Blaackar to lead the region in scoring (while being one of the leading scorers in the state of Kentucky) and to carry a young Lloyd team.

It is worth mentioning that while two of the other top 5 teams in the region (Highlands and Ryle) do not have any players listed in the top 10, they both have multiple players in their starting lineups that rank among the top 20 or so players in the region [Tayden Lorenzen is a top 10 player if he plays].  

 

Preseason 1^st Team (2024-2025 ppg)

 

9^th Region Player of the Year - Anthony Blaackar, Lloyd (15.1 ppg)

Sleeper Candidate for 9^th Region Player of the Year - Finn Louden, Conner (17.0 ppg)

Athens McGillis, CCH (20.6 ppg)

Cash Harney, CCH (15.8 ppg)

Brady Gabbard, Holy Cross (12.7 ppg)

 

Preseason 2^nd Team (2024-2025 ppg)

 

Luke Arlinghaus, Holy Cross (12.9 ppg)

Nate Rominger, Holy Cross (12.6 ppg)

Donovan Bradshaw, CCH (12.4 ppg)

Braeden Myrick, CCH (junior, 19.1 ppg) [Mason County transfer]

Hunter Seng, Dixie (junior, 11.1 ppg)

 

In addition to the Preseason 1^st and 2^nd Teams, I created a list of 40 or so additional players (at least 1 from each team) that deserve mention. I considered several of the players below for the Preseason 2^nd Team, including Owen McCormack (Beechwood), Finn Bouldin, Vincent Listerman (Highlands), Mark McCutchen, Jr (Holmes), Amontae Lowe (Newport), and Anthony Coppola, AJ Davis (Ryle). I’m sure I’ve left off a couple of names so let me know who else we should (and will) be talking about this season.

 

Preseason Honorable Mention (other players to watch, at least 1 per team)

 

 

Beechwood

 

Owen McCormack (senior)

Kingston Brockett (junior)

Dylan Topmiller (sophomore)

 

 

Bellevue

Arion Stuckey (senior)

 

Boone County

 

Joel Montanya Brown (sophomore)

 

Conner

 

Brady Bushman (senior)

Tyler Warner (junior)

 

Cooper

 

Julienne Knuckles (junior)

 

Covington Catholic

 

Teegan Stava (junior)

Cash Myers (sophomore)

Dylan Courtney (sophomore)

 

Dayton

 

Marquel Kennedy (sophomore)

 

Dixie Heights

 

Max Rubemeyer (senior)

Tyson Metzger (senior)

 

Heritage

 

Landon Reinhart (senior)

 

 

 

Highlands

 

Finn Bouldin (senior)

Nathan Rickard (senior)

Vincent Listerman (senior)

Owen Ebert (senior)

Tayden Lorenzen (junior)* [top 10 player if he plays]

Amil Wimzie (8^th grade) [Holy Cross transfer]

 

Holmes

 

Mark McCutchen, Jr (senior)

 

Holy Cross

 

Aiden Urlage (senior)

Irvan Nichols (senior) [Newport transfer]

Max Hunt (junior)

Amir Henderson (sophomore)

Brian Ferguson (sophomore)

 

Lloyd Memorial

 

Isiah Golsby (senior)

 

Ludlow

 

Logan Day (sophomore)

 

Newport

 

Amontae Lowe (junior)

 

Newport Central Catholic

 

Jack Gearding (senior)

John Luhn (senior)

 

Ryle

 

Anthony Coppola (senior)

AJ Davis (senior)

Holden Smith (junior)

 

St. Henry

 

Caden Kunstek (senior)

Parker Lutz (junior) [Cooper transfer]

Tyler Detzel (sophomore)

 

Villa Madonna

 

Michael Popham (senior)

Kelsey Sorrell Memorial Schedule

Simon Kenton High School in Independence, Ky.
Saturday November 22nd
Varsity in main gym and JV in auxiliary gym

St. Henry vs. Cincinnati Country Day (10:00 AM)
Scott vs. St. Bernard (11:20 AM)
Cov Cath vs. Oak Hills (12:40 PM)
Conner vs. LaSalle (2:00 PM)
Simon Kenton vs. Harrison (3:20 PM)

23 hours ago, theguru said:

Kelsey Sorrell Memorial Schedule

Simon Kenton High School in Independence, Ky.
Saturday November 22nd
Varsity in main gym and JV in auxiliary gym

St. Henry vs. Cincinnati Country Day (10:00 AM)
Scott vs. St. Bernard (11:20 AM)
Cov Cath vs. Oak Hills (12:40 PM)
Conner vs. LaSalle (2:00 PM)
Simon Kenton vs. Harrison (3:20 PM)

Anyone have any background info on how Simon Kenton has been chosen to honor hosting this great memorial? I know it has been hosted there for quite a while. With Kelsey being a Notre Dame Academy graduate, her brother Tyler being a Covington Catholic graduate and their parents living in Erlanger for atleast 30+ years I was just wondering if there was any significance with SK being tied into the equation.

On 11/12/2025 at 4:34 PM, Knight Owl said:

9^th Region Preseason 1^st and 2^nd Teams and Player Watch List

 

Despite the loss of several talented players to graduation, including region co-players of the year Lloyd’s EJ Walker (South Carolina) and Cooper’s Andy Johnson (UIC), and (Newport’s Griffin Starks and James Turner), the 9^th region returns a lot of really talented players. I’ve created a list of the top 10 players, divided into Preseason 1^st and 2^nd Teams, which are dominated by the top teams in the region Cov Cath (4) and Holy Cross (3). Any of the top players for Cov Cath or Holy Cross may emerge as candidates for 9^th Region Player of the Year, particularly Athens McGillis, but I think the balance of both teams will depress their overall numbers. I expect Finn Louden to be in the running for 9^th Region Player of the Year while being one of the top scorers in the region and leading an underrated Conner team. My pick for 9^th Region Player of the Year is Anthony Blaackar. I expect Blaackar to lead the region in scoring (while being one of the leading scorers in the state of Kentucky) and to carry a young Lloyd team.

It is worth mentioning that while two of the other top 5 teams in the region (Highlands and Ryle) do not have any players listed in the top 10, they both have multiple players in their starting lineups that rank among the top 20 or so players in the region [Tayden Lorenzen is a top 10 player if he plays].  

 

Preseason 1^st Team (2024-2025 ppg)

 

9^th Region Player of the Year - Anthony Blaackar, Lloyd (15.1 ppg)

Sleeper Candidate for 9^th Region Player of the Year - Finn Louden, Conner (17.0 ppg)

Athens McGillis, CCH (20.6 ppg)

Cash Harney, CCH (15.8 ppg)

Brady Gabbard, Holy Cross (12.7 ppg)

 

Preseason 2^nd Team (2024-2025 ppg)

 

Luke Arlinghaus, Holy Cross (12.9 ppg)

Nate Rominger, Holy Cross (12.6 ppg)

Donovan Bradshaw, CCH (12.4 ppg)

Braeden Myrick, CCH (junior, 19.1 ppg) [Mason County transfer]

Hunter Seng, Dixie (junior, 11.1 ppg)

 

In addition to the Preseason 1^st and 2^nd Teams, I created a list of 40 or so additional players (at least 1 from each team) that deserve mention. I considered several of the players below for the Preseason 2^nd Team, including Owen McCormack (Beechwood), Finn Bouldin, Vincent Listerman (Highlands), Mark McCutchen, Jr (Holmes), Amontae Lowe (Newport), and Anthony Coppola, AJ Davis (Ryle). I’m sure I’ve left off a couple of names so let me know who else we should (and will) be talking about this season.

 

Preseason Honorable Mention (other players to watch, at least 1 per team)

 

 

Beechwood

 

Owen McCormack (senior)

Kingston Brockett (junior)

Dylan Topmiller (sophomore)

 

 

Bellevue

Arion Stuckey (senior)

 

Boone County

 

Joel Montanya Brown (sophomore)

 

Conner

 

Brady Bushman (senior)

Tyler Warner (junior)

 

Cooper

 

Julienne Knuckles (junior)

 

Covington Catholic

 

Teegan Stava (junior)

Cash Myers (sophomore)

Dylan Courtney (sophomore)

 

Dayton

 

Marquel Kennedy (sophomore)

 

Dixie Heights

 

Max Rubemeyer (senior)

Tyson Metzger (senior)

 

Heritage

 

Landon Reinhart (senior)

 

 

 

Highlands

 

Finn Bouldin (senior)

Nathan Rickard (senior)

Vincent Listerman (senior)

Owen Ebert (senior)

Tayden Lorenzen (junior)* [top 10 player if he plays]

Amil Wimzie (8^th grade) [Holy Cross transfer]

 

Holmes

 

Mark McCutchen, Jr (senior)

 

Holy Cross

 

Aiden Urlage (senior)

Irvan Nichols (senior) [Newport transfer]

Max Hunt (junior)

Amir Henderson (sophomore)

Brian Ferguson (sophomore)

 

Lloyd Memorial

 

Isiah Golsby (senior)

 

Ludlow

 

Logan Day (sophomore)

 

Newport

 

Amontae Lowe (junior)

 

Newport Central Catholic

 

Jack Gearding (senior)

John Luhn (senior)

 

Ryle

 

Anthony Coppola (senior)

AJ Davis (senior)

Holden Smith (junior)

 

St. Henry

 

Caden Kunstek (senior)

Parker Lutz (junior) [Cooper transfer]

Tyler Detzel (sophomore)

 

Villa Madonna

 

Michael Popham (senior)

Love Blaackar’s game — he’s talented and fun to watch. But if we’re being honest and looking at real numbers + real competition + real defensive attention, the Region 9 MVP debate isn’t close.

SEASON AVERAGES (Last Year):

Athens McGillis: ~20 PPG

Blaackar: ~15 PPG

And Athens put those numbers up while being the defensive focal point for every team — face-guarded, doubled, boxed-and-one, full scouting reports built just to slow him down. Last year at Lloyd, the focal point was EJ, not Blaackar. Completely different defensive treatment.

Now look at the games that actually matter — the ones that decide seeding, reputation, and who steps up under pressure:

HEAD-TO-HEAD vs Cov Cath (Last 2 years):

Athens: 23 last year, 32 the year before

Blaackar: 4 points vs Cov Cath last year

VS GREAT CROSSING:

Athens: 28 and 21

Blaackar: 4 points

VS COOPER (9th Region postseason):

Athens: 29

Blaackar: 6

These aren’t opinions — these are region-defining games. Athens dominated every single one.

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE:
Cov Cath plays one of the toughest schedules in Kentucky. Lloyd absolutely does not see that level of competition.
Stats only matter when they’re earned against real competition.

DEFENSIVE ATTENTION:
Here’s where the comparison really breaks: If Blaackar gets the same defensive attention Athens has gotten his whole life, he’s not responding the way people think he will.
Athens has been game-planned for since middle school — and still averaged 20 a night.

That’s impact that translates everywhere.

So when you compare:

Season averages

Strength of schedule

Defensive attention

Production in big games

Head-to-head matchups

Postseason performance

AAU résumé

Leadership & intangibles

It’s not close.
This isn’t about emotion — it’s about basketball.If Region 9 MVP is based on facts, the answer is:

Athens McGillis. Is 9th MVP
 

On 11/3/2025 at 11:54 PM, Runcible Owl said:

And remarkably, Cov Cath has five footballers opting in per their current roster - Harney, Bradshaw, Gaiser, Courtney, and Myers.

In theory this number will be 6 footballers as I believe freshman Brandon Smith will find some spot mins on varsity at some point during the season. He’s currently producing major mins on the football team and will be an asset. He definitely should be on the JV roster as he’s not a typical freshman. 

?? Covington Catholic has revised its schedule since @DICEMAN posted the one below in August. 

Fri, Dec 12 at Eastern [addition]

Sat, Jan 16 vs. St. Xavier (OH) at Cintas Center (Xavier University) [date and place]

Tue, Feb 17 at Archbishop Moeller (OH) [date]

? Link to revised schedule ~

scoreboard/riherds/kybbk25/26 CCH

14 hours ago, Runcible Owl said:

?? Covington Catholic has revised its schedule since @DICEMAN posted the one below in August. 

Fri, Dec 12 at Eastern [addition]

Sat, Jan 16 vs. St. Xavier (OH) at Cintas Center (Xavier University) [date and place]

Tue, Feb 17 at Archbishop Moeller (OH) [date]

? Link to revised schedule ~

scoreboard/riherds/kybbk25/26 CCH

? Courier-Journal's Preseason Top 25 released today. Cov Cath enters at No. 3. 

From Jason Frakes, "Colonels feature strong senior backcourt (McGillis and Harney), good size up front."

? courier-journal.com/kentucky-high-school-basketball-rankings-2025-26-khsaa-preseason-top-25-poll-boys

Slated matchups from the C-J's 25 ~

#20 Lexington Catholic 

#16 Eastern

#15 Trinity

#5 Madison Central 

+ Teams TBD at the King of the Bluegrass.