9^th Region: Week 9

We are heading into the home stretch of the season and districts will be here before we know it. While some of the games were cancelled last week with the snow and extreme cold, most teams were able to get their games in (unlike some other parts of KY). Cov Cath (Tier 1) stayed hot with blowout wins over Campbell County and Conner. Congrats to Cash Harney for getting his 1,000^th point with the Colonels, only the 2^nd ever CCH football player to achieve the milestone (the first, Bill Topmiller, grandfather of Beechwood sophomore Dylan Topmiller). No movement in the Tier 2/3 teams. Highlands (#2) was undefeated on the week, but needed overtime to get past Austin Davie (40 points, 16 rebounds) and Campbell County. No games for Lloyd (#3), who will have to wait a few weeks to face off against district rival Dixie (#6), who lost to Holy Cross (#5) by 3 points. Congrats to Nate Rominger of Holy Cross who also got his 1,000^th point in the victory. Ryle (#4) extended their winning streak with a win over St. Henry. In one of the more surprising results of the year, Newport (#7) lost to New Cath (#11) before falling in overtime to eventual All A State Champion Lyon County. Conner (#8) lost their only game of the week to Cov Cath, while Beechwood remains at #9 with a win over Holmes. Shoutout to Holmes on their last-second win over Scott at home. Cooper (#10) had a tough trip to DeSales, losing their only game of the week. New Cath (#11) pulled off an upset against Newport and will get some chances in the coming weeks to show they belong in the top 10. St. Henry stays put at #12 with their loss to Ryle.

Tier 1: The Favorite

1.       Covington Catholic (21-1) [last week 1; preseason 1]

Just like about every week prior to this, Cov Cath dominated their games – beating Campbell County and Conner by more than 30 points.  The Blue Colonels went 12-25 from 3-point land in the Conner game. Athens McGillis (23.4 ppg) continues to put up big numbers for the best team in the region. Braeden Myrick (17.8 ppg) led the Colonels with five 3-pointers (25 points) while Donovan Bradshaw (12.1 ppg, 6.8 rpb) dominated inside with 17 points and 13 rebounds against the Cougars. Only one game this week for the Colonels as they get Ryle (#4) at home.

Fri, 2/6 Ryle at CCH

 

Tiers 2/3: Good/Solid Teams that are Not Cov Cath

2.       Highlands (20-2) [last week 2; preseason 3]

Highlands got three wins this week against Dayton, Boone County, and Campbell County. Highlands needed overtime to get past the Camels though they were up at least 15 during one point in the game. The Bluebirds continue to show great balance (stats from Campbell game not posted yet) - Finn Bouldin (13.0 ppg), Nathan Rickard (10.0 ppg), Owen Ebert (11.8 ppg), Vincent Listerman (9.2 ppg), and Tayden Lorenzen (12.3 ppg). Highlands has just one game this week, a tough district matchup at Newport.

Fri, 2/6 at Newport

3.       Lloyd (13-4) [last week 3; preseason 7]

No updates for Lloyd as their lone game of the week against district rival Dixie did not happen and will be played in a couple of weeks. Blaackar leads for the Juggs averaging 22.8 ppg. Sophomore Jason Kabeya and senior Isiah Golsby are also in double figures. Busy week for Lloyd with four games, including a district matchup against St. Henry at home.

Tues, 2/3 St. Henry at Lloyd; Thurs, 2/5 at Villa; Fri, 2/6 TBA at Lloyd; Sat, 2/7 Mason County at Bracken County

4.       Ryle (13-6) [last week 4; preseason 4]

Ryle has now won nine straight after defeating St. Henry this week. Ryle had three double-digit scorers in the St. Henry game, AJ Davis (12 pts, 12.5 ppg), Holden Smith (15 pts, 16.7 ppg), and Anthony Coppola (10 pts, 12.5 ppg), while junior Grace Nsuti (7.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg) had 8 points and 11 rebounds. The Raiders have three games this week, including tough road matchups with #6 Dixie and #1 Cov Cath.

Mon, 2/2 Simon Kenton at Ryle; Tues, 2/3 at Dixie; Fri, 2/6 at Covington Catholic

5.       Holy Cross (16-4) [last week 5; preseason 2]

Holy Cross was able to schedule a game against Dixie and come away with a 3-point victory.  Luke Arlinghaus (17.6 ppg) led the Indians against Dixie with 15 points and leads Holy Cross in scoring. Sophomore Amir Henderson contributed 12 points in the victory, with Nate Rominger (13.7 ppg) adding 11 (including his 1,000^th point). Brady Gabbard (14.7 ppg) left the game early with injury, let’s hope he is OK. Busy week for the Indians with three games, including a big district matchup with Beechwood on the road.

Tues, 2/3 at Scott; Wed, 2/4 Campbell at Holy Cross; Fri, 2/6 at Beechwood

6.       Dixie Heights (14-6) [last week 6; preseason 6]

Dixie did not play district rival Lloyd this week, but did get a game against Holy Cross, falling by 3 points, and beat Grant County later in the week. Parks Vondehaar had 19 points in their loss and is now averaging 9.1 ppg. Dixie is also led by Max Rubemeyer (16.5 ppg), Tyson Metzger (12.0 ppg), and Hunter Seng (9.7 ppg). The Red Colonels have three games this week, including a tough home matchup with Ryle.

Tues, 2/3 Ryle at Dixie; Fri, 2/6 at Holmes; Sat, 2/7 at Villa

7.       Newport (14-5) [last week 7; preseason 9]

Perhaps looking ahead to Owensboro, the Wildcats were upset by rival NewCath before falling in overtime to Lyon County in the All A State Tournament. Junior Amontae Lowe (21.1 ppg) scored 23 points in the Lyon County loss while Irvan Nichols (8.5 ppg) had 11 points and 11 rebounds in the game. Newport has two games this week, including a big district battle with Highlands.

Fri, 2/6 Highlands at Newport; Sat, 2/7 at Ludlow

8.       Conner (9-8) [last week 8; preseason 5]

Conner put up a good fight but Cov Cath was just too much as they lost by 30+.  Louden had a tough game (13 points) but continues to lead the region in scoring, averaging 23.6 ppg. Junior Tyler Warner scored 22 in the loss (12.4 ppg), while sophomore Juan Rondon (6.9 ppg) was also in double figures with 12. Two games this week for the Cougars – they get New Cath at home before facing off against Taft at Bracken County.

       Thurs, 2/5 Newport Catholic at Conner; Sat, 2/7 Taft at Bracken County

9.       Beechwood (14-7) [last week 9; preseason 8]

Beechwood beat district rival Holmes in their only game of the week. Topmiller (20.5 ppg) had 24 points in the victory (including 3 dunks and 4 3-pointers) and continues to lead the Tigers in scoring. Owen McCormack returned from injury for the Tigers. The Tigers go to Boone (makeup game) and get three home games this week, including a district matchup with Holy Cross.

Tues, 2/3 Mason County at Beechwood; Thurs, 2/5 at Boone; Fri, 2/6 Holy Cross at Beechwood; Sat, 2/7 Lockland at Beechwood

10.   Cooper (3-15) [last week 10; preseason 11]

Cooper lost their only game of the week on the road to DeSales 76-47. The Jaguars are led by Julian Knuckles (11.5 ppg), Elijah Philpot (10.6 ppg) and Cole Stanton (11.9 ppg). Cooper has two games this week, road games against Newport Catholic and Walton Verona.

Tues, 2/3 at Newport Catholic; Sat, 2/7 at Walton Verona 

 

Tier 4

11.   Newport Catholic (6-13) [last week 11; preseason 13]

NewCath pulled off an upset at Newport this week, before falling on the road to Moeller (OH).  John Luhn (14.4 ppg) and Thomas Messmer (8.3 ppg) both had 16 points in the victory over the Wildcats. Three games this week for the Breds and opportunities to move up in the rankings, facing off against Cooper (#10), Conner (#8), and Campbell County

Tues, 2/3 Cooper at Newport Catholic; Thurs, 2/5 at Conner; Sat, 2/7 Campbell at Newport Catholic

12.   St. Henry (9-11) [last week 12; preseason 10]

The Crusaders beat Cincinnati Trailblazers and lost to Ryle by 20. St. Henry continues to play solid defense but can’t seem to get things going offensively. The Crusaders are led by sophomore Tyler Detzel (9.4 ppg) and junior Blake Stevens (7.7 ppg). St. Henry has two games this week, including a district road matchup at Lloyd.

Tues, 2/3 at Lloyd; Fri, 2/6 at Brossart

 

The Rest

13.   Holmes (7-13)

Bulldogs went 2-1 this week, including a last second three-pointer to beat Scott at home. Three home games for the Bulldogs this week before they make the trip to Augusta on Saturday.

14.   Boone Co (6-15)

The Rebels went 1-1 on the week, losing to Highlands and beating Williamstown. The Rebels go to Brossart and get Jackson County and Beechwood at home this week.

15.   Ludlow (9-11)

Ludlow went 1-1 on the week, losing to Calvary and beating Bellevue. The Panthers have Holmes, Newport, and Dayton this week.

16.   Dayton (13-6)

The Greendevils went 0-2, losing to Holmes and Highlands. This week the Greendevils have rivals Bellevue and Ludlow on the road.

17.   Bellevue (7-12)

The Tigers went 1-2 this week, beating Villa before losing to Newport and Ludlow. This week Bellevue has rival Dayton at home before facing Calvary and Robertson County on the road.

18.   Heritage (4-16)

Heritage doubled their season win total this week, beating Williamstown and Highlands Latin. The Eagles will look to keep the momentum going against Villa, Cov Latin, and Pineville this week.

19.   Villa Madonna (3-17)

Villa went 0-3 on the week. Tough week ahead for the Vikings facing off against Heritage, Lloyd, and Dixie.

I'll be at Ryle tonight. I think this game with Simon Kenton is going to be good.