9th Region: Week 10

9^th Region: Week 10

A busy week of games in the 9^th Region despite the surprising snow we got early and late in the week. (Tier 1) Cov Cath had only one game this week, beating Ryle (#4) by 20. The game was intense (just like every Cov Cath game I have been to this year) and felt closer than the score. I don’t think anyone wants to face off against Ryle in the postseason, who I have added to a new Tier 2, along with Highlands (#2), who continues to win, and Lloyd (#3), who continues to surprise. I think these three teams have separated themselves a little bit from 5-9, but that is subject to change with many of these teams playing each other this week and next. Congratulations to Lloyd’s Anthony Blaackar who had a school-record 51 points in their win against Mason County. Blaackar now leads the region in scoring and is trying to close the distance between him and Athens McGillis for 9^th Region Player of the Year (apologies to Finn Louden, who is also part of that conversation). Beechwood (#5) is the first team in Tier 3 after getting a big win over Holy Cross (#6), followed by Dixie (#7), Newport (#8), and Conner (#9). I think these teams could be ranked in any order. Tier 4 is now led by Newport Catholic (#10), who has now beaten Cooper (#11) and St. Henry (#12) in the last two weeks. These three teams will get a chance to move up in the rankings as they all face Beechwood (#5) this week.

Tier 1: The Favorite

1.       Covington Catholic (22-1) [last week 1; preseason 1]

Only one game this week for the Colonels, a 20-point victory over Ryle. You know you are a dominant team when the other team loses by 20 and it feels like a victory for them. Braeden Myrick (18.2 ppg) led the Colonels with five 3-pointers (28 points) while Donovan Bradshaw (12.3 ppg, 6.9 rpb) was again a major inside presence with 16 points and 9 rebounds against the Raiders. Athens McGillis (23.3 ppg) didn’t have his best shooting night (9-21) but still finished with 22 points. Three big games this week, including a district matchup at Holy Cross, a home game against the other Colonels (Dixie), and a Valentine’s Day road trip to Great Crossing.

Tues, 2/10 at Holy Cross; Fri, 2/13 Dixie at CCH; Sat, 2/14 at Great Crossing

 

Tier 2: Good/Solid Teams that are Not Cov Cath

2.       Highlands (21-2) [last week 2; preseason 3]

Highlands got a big district win against Newport (80-57) in their only game of the week. Despite the stellar record, the Bluebirds seem to flying under the radar a little bit due to Cov Cath’s dominance. Highlands continues to be led by Finn Bouldin (12.4 ppg), Nathan Rickard (10.1 ppg), Owen Ebert (12.0 ppg), Vincent Listerman (9.3 ppg), and Tayden Lorenzen (13.4 ppg). Highlands has a big week to show that they belong as the #2 team in the region, facing off against Lloyd, Conner, and Holy Cross.

Mon, 2/9 Lloyd at Highlands; Tues, 2/10 at Conner; Fri, 2/6 Holy Cross at Highlands

3.       Lloyd (16-4) [last week 3; preseason 7]

Lloyd beat up on district rival St. Henry at home, before blowing out Villa and Mason County on the road. Senior Anthony Blaackar scored 51 points in the win against Mason (on 20-26 shooting) and is now leading the region in scoring, averaging 24.6 ppg. Sophomore Jason Kabeya (10.2 ppg) and senior Isiah Golsby (11.9 ppg) are also in double figures. After a tough game at Highlands, the Juggs will go on the road to face district rival Dixie on Friday.

Mon, 2/9 at Highlands; Thurs, 2/12 at Dixie; Fri, 2/13 Trailblazers (OH) at Lloyd

4.       Ryle (15-7) [last week 4; preseason 4]

Ryle picked up good wins against Simon Kenton and Holy Cross this week, and gave Cov Cath everything they had before falling by 20. Ryle has been impressive since their slow start and belong in the conversation as the #2 team in the region. (No stats for last two games) The Raiders are led by AJ Davis (12.6 ppg), Holden Smith (16.7 ppg), Anthony Coppola (12.1 ppg), and junior Grace Nsuti (7.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg). Ryle begins their tour of the 10^th region this week, with games at Campbell and Brossart.

Wed, 2/11 at Campbell; Fri, 2/13 at Brossart

 

Tier 3: These teams could be ranked in any order

5.       Beechwood (17-7) [last week 9; preseason 8]

Beechwood beat up on Lockland (OH) and Boone County this week while also getting a convincing win against district rival Holy Cross. The Tigers dominated the Indians for 3 quarters before inexplicably playing stall-ball in the 4^th and almost letting Holy Cross back in the game. Topmiller (20.4 ppg) continues to lead the Tigers in scoring while junior big man Kingston Brockett is anchoring the defense. The return of senior Owen McCormack has been huge as he knocked down 10 3-pointers this week and is averaging 12.7 ppg. The Tigers have three road games this week against the three Tier 4 teams.

Tues, 2/10 at St. Henry; Thurs, 2/12 at New Cath; Sat, 2/14 at Cooper

6.       Holy Cross (17-6) [last week 5; preseason 2]

After picking up a good win against Campbell County, the Indians had a tough couple of games falling to Beechwood and Ryle. Consistency is definitely an issue for Holy Cross, as they look like they could beat anyone one game and then struggle in the next. After Beechwood led by 30 late in the 3^rd quarter the Indians made a run to make it somewhat interesting, then Coach Johnson pulled the starters. Maybe a little motivational ploy to get Holy Cross ready to avenge the loss in the likely district tournament opening round matchup? Luke Arlinghaus (17.5 ppg) continues to lead Holy Cross in scoring, with Rominger (13.5 ppg) and Brady Gabbard (14.1 ppg). Gabbard is dealing with a shoulder issue, let’s hope he can get healthy in time for the postseason. Tough week for Holy Cross as they get Highlands, Cov Cath, and Walton Verona.

Tues, 2/10 Cov Cath at Holy Cross; Thurs, 2/12 Walton at Holy Cross; Fri, 2/13 at Highlands

7.       Dixie Heights (16-6) [last week 6; preseason 6]

Dixie picked up two wins this week against Holmes and Villa, though the Holmes game was much closer than the Colonels would have liked. No stats reported for games this week. Dixie is led by Max Rubemeyer (16.5 ppg), Tyson Metzger (12.0 ppg), and Hunter Seng (9.7 ppg). Really tough week for the Red Colonels – they get Newport and district rival Lloyd at home before a big road matchup with rival Cov Cath.

Mon, 2/9 Newport at Dixie; Thurs, 2/12 Lloyd at Dixie; Fri, 2/13 at Cov Cath

8.       Newport (15-7) [last week 7; preseason 9]

Newport went 1-1 on the week, beating up on Ludlow and falling to district rival Highlands by 20. Junior Amontae Lowe (21.1 ppg) leads the Wildcats. Three tough games this week beginning with Dixie on the road and then two home games against Conner and (state-ranked) Boyd County.

Mon, 2/9 at Dixie; Thurs, 2/12 Conner at Newport; Sat, 2/14 Boyd County at Newport

9.       Conner (11-8) [last week 8; preseason 5]

Conner picked up two good wins this week against Newport Catholic and Taft (OH). No stats posted for these games.  Louden leads the Cougars (23.6 ppg) and junior Tyler Warner is also in double figures (12.4 ppg). Three really tough games this week for the Cougars – they face off against Highlands and (state-ranked) Boyd County at home and also get Newport on the road.

       Tues, 2/10 Highlands at Conner; Thurs, 2/12 at Newport; Fri, 2/13 Boyd County at Conner

 

Tier 4

10.   Newport Catholic (8-15) [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 again this week for the Breds, including an interesting home matchup against #9 Beechwood.

Mon, 2/9 at Boone County; Thurs, 2/12 Beechwood at Newport Catholic; Sat, 2/14 Dayton at Newport Catholic

11.   Cooper (3-18) [last week 10; preseason 11]

Cooper went 0-3 on the week, falling to New Cath, Scott County, and Walton Verona. With the loss the New Cath, I’ve moved Cooper out of Tier 3 and into Tier #4 slotted behind the Breds. The Jaguars are led by Julian Knuckles (11.7 ppg), Elijah Philpot (10.2 ppg) and Cole Stanton (11.2 ppg). Cooper has two games this week, including a road matchup against #12 St. Henry and home game against #9 Beechwood.

Thurs, 2/12 at St. Henry; Sat, 2/14 Beechwood at Cooper  

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

The Crusaders fell to district rival Lloyd but did pick up good wins against 10^th region foes Scott and Brossart. The Crusaders are led by sophomore Tyler Detzel (10 ppg), senior Caden Kunstak (8.0 ppg) and junior Blake Stevens (7.5 ppg). St. Henry has three games this week, including home games against teams ranked just above them. Can they get a couple wins and move up in the rankings?

Tues, 2/10 Beechwood at St. Henry; Thurs, 2/12 Cooper at St. Henry; Fri, 2/13 at South Oldham

 

The Rest

13.   Holmes (9-14)

Bulldogs went 2-1 this week, beating Ludlow and Scott before losing a close one to Dixie. Only one game this week, a road trip to Williamstown.

14.   Boone Co (6-18)

The Rebels went 0-3 on the week, losing to Beechwood, Brossart, and Jackson County. The Rebels will face New Cath, Pendleton County, and Portland Christian this week.

15.   Ludlow (10-13)

Ludlow went 1-2 on the week, losing to Newport and Holmes and beating Dayton. The Panthers have one game this week, at home against Villa.

16.   Dayton (13-6)

The Greendevils went 1-1, losing to Ludlow and beating Williamstown. This week the Greendevils have four games, including a matchup with Bellevue in the NKAC conference tournament.

17.   Bellevue (7-13)

The Tigers went 0-1 this week, falling to Calvary Christian. This week Bellevue has two games, including a matchup with Dayton in the NKAC conference tournament

18.   Villa Madonna (3-17)

Villa went 1-2 on the week, beating Heritage before losing to Dixie and Lloyd. Three games this week for the Vikings, including a matchup with Ludlow in the NKAC conference tournament.

19.   Heritage (5-18)

Heritage went 1-2 this week, losing to Villa and Pineville and beating Cov Latin. The Eagles have one this week, a matchup with Calvary Christian in the NKAC conference tournament