9^th Region: Week 2

 

Week 2 in the 9^th Region was full of good games and bad weather, with several teams having games cancelled. The top teams remain undefeated, with Cov Cath beating up on rebuilding Cooper and St. Henry, Holy Cross beating Ryle in a back-and-forth battle, and Highlands winning big in both their games. The biggest news of the week is the addition of Tayden Lorenzen to the Highlands already deep roster, though there is still some speculation about when he will be suiting up in games. Other big news is that Conner star and 9^th Region Player of the Year candidate Finn Louden missed games this week with an injury, no word on the injury or how long he is expected to be sidelined.

The top five in the rankings remain unchanged and I’ve grouped the teams based on Tiers. Cov Cath remains the clear #1 and regional favorite in Tier 1. I’m moving Ryle up into the Contenders Tier 2 with Holy Cross and Highlands. I expect the games between these three teams to be tightly contested and will be interested to see if one of them can separate from the others in the coming weeks. Lots of movement in Tier 3, with the biggest riser of the week Beechwood (maybe @Honey Badger was on to something), moving up to 6 just behind Lloyd with a blowout win at Scott and a 6-point victory at Brossart. I have Dixie at 7 just in front of Conner, who continues to slide without Louden in the lineup, although a 2-point loss shorthanded at Campbell County seems like a moral victory. If and when Louden returns, I expect the Cougars will find their way higher in the rankings. The final team in Tier 3 (at #9) is Newport, who we may be underrating and has a big opportunity this coming week at Ryle. I have St. Henry and Cooper as the Tier 4 teams. Both have played difficult schedules so I don’t think we will know how good or bad these teams could be until later in the year.

 

 

Tier 1: The Favorite

 

1.       Covington Catholic (4-0)

Cov Cath again dominated their games, overcoming a sluggish start to beat St. Henry by 40 and beating Cooper by 30. A matchup at state-ranked Louisville Eastern was cancelled. Through five games, 9^th Region Player of the Year candidates Athens McGillis and Braeden Myrick are averaging 21.8 ppg and 19.0, respectively, with Donovan Bradshaw chipping in 11.5 ppg. This week the Colonels get Simon Kenton at home before going to the road to play in the King of the Bluegrass tournament.

Tues, 12/16 Simon Kenton at CCH; Fri, 12/19 Lee (AL) at Fairdale (KOB)

 

 

Tier 2: The Contenders

 

2.       Holy Cross (4-0)

Holy Cross only played one game, but it was good one. A long Arlinghaus 3-pointer with less than 10 seconds helped the Indians secure a win at Ryle. As expected, Holy Cross scoring is balanced with Luke Arlinghaus (15.2 ppg), Nate Rominder (14.8), and Brady Gabbard (12.8 ppg) all averaging double figure ppg. Two games were cancelled/rescheduled due to the snow.  Holy Cross has another busy week (weather permitting), beginning with a home game against Brossart.

Tues, 12/16 Brossart at Holy Cross; Wed, 12/17 North College Hill (OH) at Mt. St. Joseph; Sat, 12/20 vs. Bertie (NC) at Montgomery County

3.       Highlands (4-0)

Highlands got blowout wins over Lafayette and Oldham County at Scott County this week. Finn Bouldin (15 ppg) leads a balanced scoring attack (through 3 games), with Nathan Rickard (14.3 ppg), Owen Ebert (11.7 ppg), and Vincent Listerman (10 ppg) also in double figures. Highlands hosts Oldham County (again?) and plays state-ranked Ballard on Saturday at McNicholas.

Fri, 12/19 Oldham County at Highlands; Sat, 12/20 Ballard at McNicholas

4.       Ryle (1-2)

Ryle went 1-1 on the week, falling by 1 to Holy Cross before beating Lloyd by 14. Ryle has three double-digit scorers, AJ Davis (18.7 ppg), Holden Smith (11.3 ppg), and Anthony Coppola (10.3 ppg). The Raiders tough early-season schedule continues with a home game against Newport, then heading to Carroll County to play Louisville DeSales.

Wed, 12/17 Newport at Ryle; Sat, 12/20 vs. DeSales at Carroll County

 

Tier 3

 

5.       Lloyd (3-2)

The Juggs stay put in the #5 spot despite falling by 14 at Ryle, before rebounding with a blowout win over Boone County. 9^th Region Player of the Year candidate Blaackar is averaging 22.2 ppg. Only 1 game for Lloyd this week as they will go on the road to play Cooper.

Thurs, 12/18 atCooper

6.       Beechwood (3-0)

Biggest mover in Week 2. The Tigers shot the lights out to beat Scott by 40 in Taylor Mill, before shooting poorly and coming from behind to beat a scrappy Brossart team by 6 on the road. Beechwood is led by sophomore Dylan Topmiller (19 ppg) and seniors Owen McCormack (13 ppg) and Quinten Knasel (11 ppg). Busy week ahead with four games, including facing Conner Thursday in Fort Mitchell.

Mon, 12/15 at Pendleton County; Thur, 12/18 Conner at Beechwood; Sat, 12/20 Lee County at Madison Southern; Sun, 12/21 Mercer County at Berea

7.       Dixie Heights (4-1)

Dixie had double-digit wins against NewCath and Ludlow this week. Dixie (through 4 games) has been led by Max Rubemeyer (16.8 ppg) and Tyson Metzger (15.8 ppg). Tough week ahead for the Red Colonels with Conner at home, before heading to Bracken County to play Augusta and Danville Christian.

Tues, 12/16 Conner at Dixie; Fri, 12/19 Augusta at Bracken County; Sat, 12/20 Danville Christian at Bracken County

8.       Conner (2-2)

Conner lost by 2 at Campbell County in their only game of the week. In addition to Louden’s 28.5 ppg (through 2 games), Brady Bushman (12.2 ppg) and Tyler Warner (11.2 ppg) are scoring in double figures. Let’s hope Louden’s injury isn’t too serious and that he can get back quickly. Another tough week ahead for the Cougars as they go on the road to face Dixie and Beechwood, before heading south to play state-ranked Montgomery County.  

Tues, 12/16 at Dixie; Thurs, 12/18 at Beechwood;  Sat, 12/20 at Montgomery County

9.       Newport (2-0)

Only one game for the Wildcats this week, a blowout home win at Holmes. Two games were cancelled due to weather. Junior Amontae Lowe is averaging 25 ppg, while newcomer Davae Andrews-Glover is scoring 12.5 ppg. Newport gets two road games this week, a matchup with Calvary Christian and a big game in Union against Ryle.

Mon, 12/15 at Calvary Christian; Wed, 12/17 at Ryle

 

Tier 4

 

10.   St. Henry (0-4)

Another tough week for the Crusaders. They were blown out by Cov Cath on Tuesday, then had their matchup with New Cath at Hoosier gym cancelled due to snow (I didn’t hear anything about this game, so assuming it was cancelled). The Crusaders are led by sophomore Tyler Detzel (10.5 ppg) and senior Caden Kunstek (9 ppg). St. Henry will look to get their first win of the year (and first for Coach Sullivan as a Crusader) at home against Villa Madonna.

Fri, 12/19 Villa at St. Henry

 

 

11.   Cooper (0-4)

Cooper played only one game this week, falling to Cov Cath by 35. The Jaguars are led by Julian Knuckles 15 ppg.  I can’t imagine there is another team in Kentucky that has played a more difficult schedule than the Jaguars thus far, and things don’t get much easier. They have home games against Campbell County and Lloyd this week. 

Tues, 12/16 Campbell County at Cooper; Thurs, 12/18 Lloyd at Cooper; 

 

 

The Rest

 

12.   Newport Catholic (0-3)

NewCath fell to Dixie by 20 and had their game at Hoosier gym with St. Henry cancelled. NCC goes on the road to face Taylor (OH) and North Catholic (PA) at McNicholas next weekend.

13.   Holmes (2-2)

This week the Bulldogs lost to Newport by 30 and beat Villa by 17 on the road. Busy week ahead with four games, including a home game against Heritage, then at Brossart, before heading to Raceland to play Prestonburg and West Carter.

14.   Boone Co (3-2)

Tough week for the Rebels as they were blown out by Scott and Lloyd. This week the Rebels face Augusta at home and then go to Clinton County to play Madisonville-North Hopkins, Atherton, and Clinton County.

15.   Ludlow (2-2)

Ludlow fell to St. Bernard by 1 and Dixie by 15. This week the Panthers get road games against Dayton, Williamstown, and Campbell County.

16.   Bellevue (2-2)

The Tigers went 2-0 on the week, blowing out Heritage and Williamstown. Bellevue gets Villa and Pendleton County on the road this week.

17.   Heritage (1-2)

Heritage went 0-1 on the week, losing by 30 in Bellevue. The Eagles go on the road to play Holmes, Frankfort, and Berea this week.

18.   Villa Madonna (2-2)

Villa went 1-1 on the week, winning big against Williamstown (61-27), before falling to Holmes. The Vikings have four games this week, facing off against Bellevue at home before going to the road to face Dayton, St. Henry, and Ballard Memorial.

19.   Dayton (3-1)

Dayton went 1-1 on the week, falling to Calvary Christian before beating Trimble County by 20. This week the Greendevils will stay home to play Ludlow, Frankfort Christian, and Villa.

8 hours ago, Knight Owl said:

9^th Region: Week 2

 

Week 2 in the 9^th Region was full of good games and bad weather, with several teams having games cancelled. The top teams remain undefeated, with Cov Cath beating up on rebuilding Cooper and St. Henry, Holy Cross beating Ryle in a back-and-forth battle, and Highlands winning big in both their games. The biggest news of the week is the addition of Tayden Lorenzen to the Highlands already deep roster, though there is still some speculation about when he will be suiting up in games. Other big news is that Conner star and 9^th Region Player of the Year candidate Finn Louden missed games this week with an injury, no word on the injury or how long he is expected to be sidelined.

The top five in the rankings remain unchanged and I’ve grouped the teams based on Tiers. Cov Cath remains the clear #1 and regional favorite in Tier 1. I’m moving Ryle up into the Contenders Tier 2 with Holy Cross and Highlands. I expect the games between these three teams to be tightly contested and will be interested to see if one of them can separate from the others in the coming weeks. Lots of movement in Tier 3, with the biggest riser of the week Beechwood (maybe @Honey Badger was on to something), moving up to 6 just behind Lloyd with a blowout win at Scott and a 6-point victory at Brossart. I have Dixie at 7 just in front of Conner, who continues to slide without Louden in the lineup, although a 2-point loss shorthanded at Campbell County seems like a moral victory. If and when Louden returns, I expect the Cougars will find their way higher in the rankings. The final team in Tier 3 (at #9) is Newport, who we may be underrating and has a big opportunity this coming week at Ryle. I have St. Henry and Cooper as the Tier 4 teams. Both have played difficult schedules so I don’t think we will know how good or bad these teams could be until later in the year.

 

 

Tier 1: The Favorite

 

1.       Covington Catholic (4-0)

Cov Cath again dominated their games, overcoming a sluggish start to beat St. Henry by 40 and beating Cooper by 30. A matchup at state-ranked Louisville Eastern was cancelled. Through five games, 9^th Region Player of the Year candidates Athens McGillis and Braeden Myrick are averaging 21.8 ppg and 19.0, respectively, with Donovan Bradshaw chipping in 11.5 ppg. This week the Colonels get Simon Kenton at home before going to the road to play in the King of the Bluegrass tournament.

Tues, 12/16 Simon Kenton at CCH; Fri, 12/19 Lee (AL) at Fairdale (KOB)

 

 

Tier 2: The Contenders

 

2.       Holy Cross (4-0)

Holy Cross only played one game, but it was good one. A long Arlinghaus 3-pointer with less than 10 seconds helped the Indians secure a win at Ryle. As expected, Holy Cross scoring is balanced with Luke Arlinghaus (15.2 ppg), Nate Rominder (14.8), and Brady Gabbard (12.8 ppg) all averaging double figure ppg. Two games were cancelled/rescheduled due to the snow.  Holy Cross has another busy week (weather permitting), beginning with a home game against Brossart.

Tues, 12/16 Brossart at Holy Cross; Wed, 12/17 North College Hill (OH) at Mt. St. Joseph; Sat, 12/20 vs. Bertie (NC) at Montgomery County

3.       Highlands (4-0)

Highlands got blowout wins over Lafayette and Oldham County at Scott County this week. Finn Bouldin (15 ppg) leads a balanced scoring attack (through 3 games), with Nathan Rickard (14.3 ppg), Owen Ebert (11.7 ppg), and Vincent Listerman (10 ppg) also in double figures. Highlands hosts Oldham County (again?) and plays state-ranked Ballard on Saturday at McNicholas.

Fri, 12/19 Oldham County at Highlands; Sat, 12/20 Ballard at McNicholas

4.       Ryle (1-2)

Ryle went 1-1 on the week, falling by 1 to Holy Cross before beating Lloyd by 14. Ryle has three double-digit scorers, AJ Davis (18.7 ppg), Holden Smith (11.3 ppg), and Anthony Coppola (10.3 ppg). The Raiders tough early-season schedule continues with a home game against Newport, then heading to Carroll County to play Louisville DeSales.

Wed, 12/17 Newport at Ryle; Sat, 12/20 vs. DeSales at Carroll County

 

Tier 3

 

5.       Lloyd (3-2)

The Juggs stay put in the #5 spot despite falling by 14 at Ryle, before rebounding with a blowout win over Boone County. 9^th Region Player of the Year candidate Blaackar is averaging 22.2 ppg. Only 1 game for Lloyd this week as they will go on the road to play Cooper.

Thurs, 12/18 atCooper

6.       Beechwood (3-0)

Biggest mover in Week 2. The Tigers shot the lights out to beat Scott by 40 in Taylor Mill, before shooting poorly and coming from behind to beat a scrappy Brossart team by 6 on the road. Beechwood is led by sophomore Dylan Topmiller (19 ppg) and seniors Owen McCormack (13 ppg) and Quinten Knasel (11 ppg). Busy week ahead with four games, including facing Conner Thursday in Fort Mitchell.

Mon, 12/15 at Pendleton County; Thur, 12/18 Conner at Beechwood; Sat, 12/20 Lee County at Madison Southern; Sun, 12/21 Mercer County at Berea

7.       Dixie Heights (4-1)

Dixie had double-digit wins against NewCath and Ludlow this week. Dixie (through 4 games) has been led by Max Rubemeyer (16.8 ppg) and Tyson Metzger (15.8 ppg). Tough week ahead for the Red Colonels with Conner at home, before heading to Bracken County to play Augusta and Danville Christian.

Tues, 12/16 Conner at Dixie; Fri, 12/19 Augusta at Bracken County; Sat, 12/20 Danville Christian at Bracken County

8.       Conner (2-2)

Conner lost by 2 at Campbell County in their only game of the week. In addition to Louden’s 28.5 ppg (through 2 games), Brady Bushman (12.2 ppg) and Tyler Warner (11.2 ppg) are scoring in double figures. Let’s hope Louden’s injury isn’t too serious and that he can get back quickly. Another tough week ahead for the Cougars as they go on the road to face Dixie and Beechwood, before heading south to play state-ranked Montgomery County.  

Tues, 12/16 at Dixie; Thurs, 12/18 at Beechwood;  Sat, 12/20 at Montgomery County

9.       Newport (2-0)

Only one game for the Wildcats this week, a blowout home win at Holmes. Two games were cancelled due to weather. Junior Amontae Lowe is averaging 25 ppg, while newcomer Davae Andrews-Glover is scoring 12.5 ppg. Newport gets two road games this week, a matchup with Calvary Christian and a big game in Union against Ryle.

Mon, 12/15 at Calvary Christian; Wed, 12/17 at Ryle

 

Tier 4

 

10.   St. Henry (0-4)

Another tough week for the Crusaders. They were blown out by Cov Cath on Tuesday, then had their matchup with New Cath at Hoosier gym cancelled due to snow (I didn’t hear anything about this game, so assuming it was cancelled). The Crusaders are led by sophomore Tyler Detzel (10.5 ppg) and senior Caden Kunstek (9 ppg). St. Henry will look to get their first win of the year (and first for Coach Sullivan as a Crusader) at home against Villa Madonna.

Fri, 12/19 Villa at St. Henry

 

 

11.   Cooper (0-4)

Cooper played only one game this week, falling to Cov Cath by 35. The Jaguars are led by Julian Knuckles 15 ppg.  I can’t imagine there is another team in Kentucky that has played a more difficult schedule than the Jaguars thus far, and things don’t get much easier. They have home games against Campbell County and Lloyd this week. 

Tues, 12/16 Campbell County at Cooper; Thurs, 12/18 Lloyd at Cooper; 

 

 

The Rest

 

12.   Newport Catholic (0-3)

NewCath fell to Dixie by 20 and had their game at Hoosier gym with St. Henry cancelled. NCC goes on the road to face Taylor (OH) and North Catholic (PA) at McNicholas next weekend.

13.   Holmes (2-2)

This week the Bulldogs lost to Newport by 30 and beat Villa by 17 on the road. Busy week ahead with four games, including a home game against Heritage, then at Brossart, before heading to Raceland to play Prestonburg and West Carter.

14.   Boone Co (3-2)

Tough week for the Rebels as they were blown out by Scott and Lloyd. This week the Rebels face Augusta at home and then go to Clinton County to play Madisonville-North Hopkins, Atherton, and Clinton County.

15.   Ludlow (2-2)

Ludlow fell to St. Bernard by 1 and Dixie by 15. This week the Panthers get road games against Dayton, Williamstown, and Campbell County.

16.   Bellevue (2-2)

The Tigers went 2-0 on the week, blowing out Heritage and Williamstown. Bellevue gets Villa and Pendleton County on the road this week.

17.   Heritage (1-2)

Heritage went 0-1 on the week, losing by 30 in Bellevue. The Eagles go on the road to play Holmes, Frankfort, and Berea this week.

18.   Villa Madonna (2-2)

Villa went 1-1 on the week, winning big against Williamstown (61-27), before falling to Holmes. The Vikings have four games this week, facing off against Bellevue at home before going to the road to face Dayton, St. Henry, and Ballard Memorial.

19.   Dayton (3-1)

Dayton went 1-1 on the week, falling to Calvary Christian before beating Trimble County by 20. This week the Greendevils will stay home to play Ludlow, Frankfort Christian, and Villa.

As always, another spectacular job by you @Knight Owl.

If Beechwood can shoot the lights out consistently they are going to be a tough out for any team not named Cov Cath in NKY and should make a strong push for that Tier 2. A scrappy win vs Brossart was a good win for them to get on a rough night but that can't turn into a theme.

I've picked up on Lloyd has been short handed in about half of their games so far. I don't know whether due to injuries or sickness but I think a mixture of both. They should be able to handle their only game this week vs Cooper accordingly but they are going to need to get right for the end of December/beginning of January.

If Ryle can keep putting full games together like they did against Holy Cross and the way they played the 2nd half vs Lloyd, they are going to be a nightmare come tournament(s) time.

Is there any prognosis on Louden? Anyone with any input there?

Sully sure set Holthaus up for a tough start to the season, if Sully was the one who made this schedule. I heard questions about who did the schedule but I find it hard to believe Borchers could have been that ludacris to have Sully do the schedule if he was confident Sully would no longer be the head man. If Sully thought he was going to be in charge still I think he was confident Cooper's roster would look different than what is does now. Even with Sully this would have been a tough early slate for the Jaguars, same as last year in that aspect.

Newport's game vs Ryle is a big one to show where they stand at this point in the season.

Dixie...let's keep up the good work.

Looking forward to a pair of NKY Tigers visiting us at Pendleton this week.   Beechwood (tonight, V only 6pm) and Bellevue (tomorrow) will be a good test to see exactly where we stand.

both games stream for free on the school's You Tube Channel.