9th Region: Week 6

9^th Region: Week 6

Another week with lots of movement in the 9^th Region rankings. The one certainty is that Cov Cath is the best team. (Tier 1) Cov Cath shot the lights out, was completely suffocating on defense, and put a running clock on a pretty good Beechwood team. I still think that Highlands and Holy Cross (Tier 2) belong in their own Tier, but this could change in the coming weeks as Tiers 2 and 3 may need to be combined. After losing to Lloyd at home, Holy Cross needs to bounce back and win the All A 9^th Region tournament to show that they are really one of the top 3 in the region. Highlands has a chance to solidify itself in the top 3 this week, with big games against Dixie (who has been flying under the radar at 10-4) and Cov Cath (#1). Tier 3 teams continue to shuffle around. Right now Lloyd is at #4 with recent wins over Holy Cross and Ryle, while Ryle is at #5 with recent wins over Highlands and Beechwood. Dixie is back in the #6 spot, with Conner at #7, Beechwood at #8 (they have lost 4 in a row), and Newport at #9 rounding out the Tier.  Tier 4 teams Cooper and St. Henry remain in their own Tier for now, though Cooper could easily have a few more wins and may move up in the rankings in the coming weeks.

 

Tier 1: The Favorite

1.       Covington Catholic (13-1) [last week 1; preseason 1]

Cov Cath dominated their only game of the week, blowing out an undermanned Beechwood squad. Athens McGillis looked every bit like the 9^th Region Player of the Year, scoring 30 points, including 24 in the first half. Braeden Myrick continues to show that he might be the best shooter in Kentucky, averaging 17.7 ppg while shooting 52.2% from 3-pt range (on 47 made 3s). Three games this week, including a big Friday night matchup with Highlands on the road.

       Tues, 1/13 at Holmes; Wed, 1/14 Walton Verona at CCH; Fri, 1/16 at Highlands

 

Tier 2: The Contenders

2.       Highlands (13-1) [last week 3; preseason 3]

Highlands had three relatively easy wins this week, including a blowout of Bishop Brossart (who just beat Campbell County). Despite their loss to Ryle, I think the Bluebirds are playing well and the addition of Lorenzen combined with their deep roster has them looking good as the #2 in the region (subject to change, since every time I move a team up they get beat). The Bluebirds continue to show great balance - Finn Bouldin (14.1 ppg) Nathan Rickard (10.8 ppg), Owen Ebert (11.5 ppg), Vincent Listerman (9.7 ppg), and Tayden Lorenzen (13.1 ppg). Highlands has a tough week beginning with Dixie on the road and Cov Cath at home.

Tues, 1/13 at Dixie Heights; Fri, 1/16 Covington Catholic at Highlands

3.       Holy Cross (13-2) [last week 2; preseason 2]

Holy Cross went 1-1 on the week, getting beat by Anthony Blaackar and Lloyd at home before rebounding in a blowout win over Holmes. I moved the Indians down one spot with the loss. Luke Arlinghaus (18.9 ppg). Nate Rominder (14.1 ppg), and Brady Gabbard (14.9 ppg) continue to lead for Holy Cross. This week the Indians have the 9^th Region All A Tournament at Holy Cross, beginning with either Dayton or Villa.

Wed, 1/14 Villa/Dayton at Holy Cross; Fri, 1/16 TBD at Holy Cross; Sat, 1/17 TBD at Holy Cross

 

Tier 3

4.       Lloyd (10-3) [last week 4; preseason 7]

I think Lloyd has been the biggest surprise of the 9^th Region. They beat Holy Cross on the road and also picked up a win against Scott this week. 9^th Region Player of the Year candidate Blaackar was dominant, scoring 30 and 31 in the two games, and is now averaging 22.8 ppg. Sophomore Jason Kabeya and senior Isiah Golsby are also in double figures. Lloyd stays home this week with two out-of-region games against Brossart and 2025 State Champion Great Crossing.

Tues, 1/13 Brossart at Lloyd; Sat, 1/17 Great Crossing at Lloyd

5.       Ryle (8-6) [last week 5; preseason 4]

Ryle had a great week going 3-0, beginning with a win at Beechwood. Senior Anthony Coppolla had a monster game against Beechwood, scoring 25 points, with 4 made 3-pointers. If Ryle shoots the ball well, they can play with anyone in the region (except probably Cov Cath). Ryle has three double-digit scorers (through 12 games), AJ Davis (12.8 ppg), Holden Smith (16.8 ppg), and Anthony Coppola (10.1 ppg). The Raiders have three games again this week, beginning with two home games, including a big district matchup with Cooper, before heading on the road to face Henry County.

Tues, 1/13 Grant County at Ryle; Fri, 1/16 Cooper at Ryle; Sat, 1/17 at Henry County

6.       Dixie Heights (12-4) [last week 7; preseason 6]

Dixie went 2-1 on the week, blowing out Scott and East Central (IN) and falling to Simon Kenton on the road. No stats have been posted for their games this week. Dixie (through 12 games) has been led by Max Rubemeyer (15.3 ppg), Tyson Metzger (12.9 ppg), and Hunter Seng (9.5 ppg). The Red Colonels have only game this week, but it is a big one, facing off against Highlands at home.

Tues, 1/13 Highlands at Dixie Heights

7.       Conner (8-6) [last week 7; preseason 5]

Conner needed a long 3-point shot to beat Cooper in their only game of the week. Louden is averaging 24.3 ppg (through 12 games) while Tyler Warner (12.6 ppg) is also scoring in double figures. Just one game again this week as they go on the road to face Boone County in a district battle.

       Fri, 1/16 at Boone County

8.       Beechwood (10-4) [last week 6; preseason 8]

Tough week for the Tigers who have now lost 4 in a row. They lost to Ryle at home by 12 (after leading at halftime) and got blown out by Cov Cath. Beechwood has dealt with some injuries as they were down two starters in the Cov Cath game (it would not have changed the outcome), including second leading scorer Owen McCormack. Beechwood sophomore Dylan Topmiller leads the Tigers with 19.9 ppg, while Owen McCormack (12.9 ppg) is also in double figures. Let’s hope they can get their injured players back soon as the 9^th Region All A Tournament is this week, beginning with Heritage.

Mon, 1/12 Heritage at Holy Cross; Wed, 1/14 NCC at Holy Cross; Fri, 1/16 TBD at Holy Cross

9.       Newport (8-4) [last week 9; preseason 9]

Newport won their only game of the week, beating Woodward (OH) by 1. Junior Amontae Lowe (22 ppg) did not play in the game, let’s hope he’s back on the court this week. Keegan Farrell is also in double figures for the Wildcats at 10 ppg. Newport will look to make some noise in the 9^th Region All A Tournament this week, beginning with Bellevue.

Tues, 1/13 Bellevue at Holy Cross; Fri, 1/16 TBD at Holy Cross

 

Tier 4

10.   Cooper (2-11) [last week 11; preseason 11]

Cooper went 0-2 on the week, falling to Simon Kenton by 20 and losing to Conner on a buzzer beating 3-pointer. I think Cooper is better than their record shows, and will get a win against a team ranked in the top ten sooner than later. The Jaguars are led by Julian Knuckles (11.8 ppg), Elijah Philpot (10.9 ppg) and Cole Stanton (10.2 ppg). Cooper has just one game this week, a big district matchup at Ryle.

Fri, 1/16 at Ryle  

11.   St. Henry (5-8) [last week 11; preseason 10]

The Crusaders went 3-0 on the week, getting wins against Villa, Calvary, and Gallatin County. St. Henry is led by sophomore Tyler Detzel (8.9 ppg) and junior Blake Stevens (8.2 ppg). St. Henry has the 9^th Region All A Tournament this week, beginning with Ludlow.

Tues, 1/13 Ludlow at Holy Cross; Fri, 1/16 TBD at Holy Cross

 

The Rest

12.   Newport Catholic (4-10)

NewCath went 2-1 on the week, beating Holmes and Bellevue and losing to Ryle at home. This week the Breds have the 9^th Region All A Tournament at Holy Cross, beginning with either Beechwood or Heritage.

13.   Holmes (4-9)

Bulldogs went 0-2 on the week, falling to NCC and Holy Cross. This week the Bulldogs only have one game, at home against Cov Cath in a district matchup.

14.   Boone Co (5-10)

The Rebels lost their only game this week against Ryle. Just one game this week, a district battle against Conner at home.

15.   Ludlow (6-7)

Ludlow won their only game of the week against Bellevue. The Panthers have the 9^th Region All A Tournament at Holy Cross, beginning with St. Henry.

16.   Dayton (9-3)

The Greendevils were 2-1 this week, beating rival Bellevue and Menifee County. This week the Greendevils have the 9^th Region All A Tournament at Holy Cross, beginning with Villa.

17.   Bellevue (5-8)

The Tigers went 0-3 on the week, falling to rival Dayton, NCC, and Ludlow. have the 9^th Region All A Tournament at Holy Cross, beginning with Newport.

18.   Heritage (1-13)

Heritage went 0-3 on the week. The Eagles have the 9^th Region All A Tournament at Holy Cross, beginning with Beechwood.

19.   Villa Madonna (3-10)

 

Villa went 0-3 on the week. The Vikings have have the 9^th Region All A Tournament at Holy Cross, beginning with Dayton.