MidwestUnited

If Highlands beats NewCath and Bellevue upsets Newport, that would mean Bellevue and Highlands both go to regionals. Bellevue is playing good basketball and should give Newport a game tonight. Predictions: NewCath 52, Highlands 50. Newport 49, Bellevue 45.

Has any JV program in Kentucky ever gone 47-0 over two years and won two regional championships?

CovCath has actually won 47 straight with Ben as the head coach the past two years, not 42.

CovCath is actually 47-0 the past two years under Ben Franzen. He also gained coaching experience as a student assistant to NKU women's coach Nancy Winstel. He has a good background and is ready to be a varsity head coach, if he wants to do that.

They should have played on a bigger court. Go to Thomas More or NKU at Regents Hall if that's the case! Do they think Bellevue and Newport will bring a big crowd?

I think Highlands has a shot to win the NewCath game. They need to put two players on Hall and make him give up the ball to another player! I also think Bellevue could pull off a shocker against Newport! Bellevue is playing really good right now! I still have NewCath winning the district!

It does! CovCath and Cooper are the only teams with a chance. The rest are playing for third place. Just hope CovCath and Cooper are in opposite brackets for the championship game's sake. If it's CovCath or Cooper vs. Dixie in the championship game, it will be the smallest attendance ever in the Bank of Kentucky arena.

Dixie could beat NewCath or Newport in the regional first round. One of those two will probably be district runner-up unless Highlands can knock off NewCath and advance to the championship.

Everyone else has a losing record!

Thanks for the kind words! It's been fun!

The district tournaments begin this week around the 9th Region at various sites. CovCath, Cooper and Dixie Heights are prohibitive favorites in their districts. If any of those three teams lose in district action, it will be the result of a major upset. Keep an eye on the 36th District, as NewCath vs. Highlands could be a dandy in the first round. If NewCath defeats Highlands, they will likely face rival Newport in the championship game. Two weeks ago, Newport snapped a 16-game losing streak in the series against NewCath. That game was played on the Wildcats home floor, this one will be on a neutral court at Highlands. On another note, former Holmes star Mark Elmer recent passed away. He was a key member of the 1980 Holmes team that won the 9th Region championship and advanced to the state semifinals when the event was played at Freedom Hall in Louisville. Mark started next to Holmes all-state guard Dicky Beal on that 1980 team that was coached by Reynolds Flynn. Speaking of Holmes, this marks 40 years since the Bulldogs won the 1978 regional championship and advanced to the state title game against Shelby County. In that game, Shelby County star Charles Hurt had the controversial block that appeared to be goaltending on a Doug Schloemer shot. Hurt’s hand clearly went through the net and knocked the ball out of the cylinder as the Rockets won in overtime. That Sweet 16 classic game is 40 years old this March. 1. Covington Catholic (26-4) –The Colonels have won 14 straight games after defeating both Simon Kenton (82-55) and Madison Central (63-45). Leading the Colonels through 30 games is C.J. Fredrick (22.8 ppg), Aiden Ruthsatz (14.6 ppg) and Jake Walter (12.0 ppg). 1st Round District Game: Beechwood (Feb. 21). Previous ranking: 1


 2. Cooper (22-5) – Cooper has a seven-game winning streak after beating Dixie Heights (88-37) and Scott (66-34). Leading Cooper through 27 games are Adam Kunkel (21.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg), Chris McNeil (10.3 ppg) and Braydon Runion (9.5 ppg). Please see bracket for next game. The Jaguars play the winner of Conner/Heritage Academy. Previous ranking: 2

 3. Newport (22-6) – Newport had a very successful week, beating Dayton (81-46) and St. Henry (80-60). Through 28 games Newport is led by MeKell Burries (21.9 ppg), Tahj Harding (14.9 ppg), Donnie Miller (10.8 ppg) and Makhi McGuire (10.5 ppg). Please see bracket for next game. The Wildcats play the winner of Bellevue/Dayton on Feb 21. Previous Ranking: 3 4. Newport Central Catholic (15-11) – NewCath beat Conner (62-47) in its only game last week. NewCath is led by Brennan Hall (20.6 ppg), Brendan Luken (12.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Braden Posey (8.5 ppg). 1st Round District Game: Newport Central Catholic vs. Highlands (Feb. 21). Previous ranking: 5 5. Boone County (16-11) – Boone lost to Campbell County (69-52) but beat Dixie Heights (62-60). Through 27 games Boone County is led by Ethan Haynes (18.0 ppg), Raymond Rodgers (16.0 ppg) and Ethan Robbins (12.8 ppg). 1st Round District Game: vs. Ryle (Feb. 21). Previous Ranking: 4 6. Dixie Heights (14-14) – Dixie lost to Boone County (62-60) and Cooper (88-37). Through 28 games Dixie Heights is led by Tyler Schreck (13.6 ppg) and Jabari Karim (12.3 ppg). Please see bracket for next game. Dixie plays the winner of Villa Madonna/Ludlow. Previous Ranking: 6 7. Beechwood (18-12) – Had a successful week, beating Highlands (52-43) and Gallatin County (52-43). Through 30 games Beechwood is led by Scotty Draud (20.9 ppg), C.J. Brannen (10.8 ppg) and Ben Toebbe (11.4 ppg). 1st Round District Game: vs. Covington Catholic (Feb.21). Previous Ranking: 9 8. Holy Cross (12-15) – The rollercoaster season continues as Holy Cross lost to Scott County (78-51) and St. Henry (66-60), but beat Highlands ( 54-52). Through 27 games Holy Cross is led by Parker Zimerman (15.9 ppg), Nolan Schrand (16.4 ppg) and Jordan Niehaus (13.0 ppg). 1st Round District Game: vs. Holmes ( Feb.21). Previous Ranking: 8 9. Holmes (12-14) – Continues to play hard for Coach Mike Listerman, who is retiing at season’s end. Holmes beat Conner (76-70), but lost to Simon Kenton( 64-46). Through 26 games Holmes is led by Kerez Race (13.1 ppg), Jarrod Miller (9.4 ppg) and Donavin Saxon (8.2 ppg). 1st Round District Play: Holy Cross (Feb. 21). Previous Ranking: 10 

 10. Highlands (13-14) — The rollercoaster season continues for Highlands, which beat Villa Madonna (61-31) but lost to Holy Cross (54-52) and Beechwood (52-43). Through 27 games Highlands is led by Ben Sisson (8.5 ppg). 1st Round District Game against Newport Central Catholic (Feb.21). Previous Ranking: 9 
 11. St. Henry (11-15) — St. Henry spilt two games, losing to Newport (80-60) and beating Holy Cross (66-60). After 26 games Wyatt Vieth leads the team in scoring (10.0 ppg). Games coming up: vs. Lloyd in 1st Round District Game (Feb. 21). Previous Ranking: 11

 12. Conner (9-20) – Lost to NewCath (62-47) and Holmes (76-70), but beat Bellevue (48-45). Through 29 games Conner is led by Brenden Ginn (10.4 ppg), Tanner Craddock (9.9 ppg) and Jared Hicks (10.7 ppg). 1st Round District Game: Heritage Academy (Feb. 19). Previous Ranking: 12 13. Lloyd (11-15) – Lloyd had wins against Trimble County (57-41) and Ryle (66-45). Through 26 games Lloyd is led by Jordan Fann (15.0 ppg) and Jamal Neal (13.9 ppg). 1st Round District game: St. Henry (Feb. 21). Previous Ranking: 12 


14. Ryle (10-18) – Ryle lost to Campbell County (77-46) and Lloyd (66-45).Through 28 games Ryle is led by Vince Rankin (18.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and Jacob Tarvin (7.1 ppg). 1st Round District Game: Boone County (Feb.21). Previous Ranking: 13

 15. Bellevue (13-16) – Played three times, beating Silver Grove (71-16), but losing to Conner (48-45) and Bishop Brossart (47-45). Through 29 games Bellevue is led by Brett Maehren (15.9 ppg. 7.6 rpg) and Tommy Ratterman (13.2 ppg). 1st Round District game: vs. Dayton (Feb. 19) Previous Ranking: 15 



 16. Villa Madonna (14-15) – Villa lost twice last week, falling short to Highlands (61-31) and Augusta (35-34), but also recorded a win against St Patrick (79-70). Through 29 games played Villa is led by Sean McIntyre (12.8 ppg) and Ben Zalla (12.3 ppg). 1st Round District game: vs. Ludlow (Feb. 19) Previous Ranking: 16 

 17. Ludlow (6-20) – Ludlow lost twice last week, falling short to Augusta (62-53) and Scott (88-51). The Panthers also beat Silver Grove (68-22). Through 26 games Ludlow is led by Trey Donahue (13.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg) and Ian Vallandingham (10.3 ppg). 1st Round District game: Villa Madonna (Feb. 19). Previous Ranking: 17 

 18. Dayton (6-23) - Dayton lost twice last week, falling short to Newport (81-46) and Robertson County (73-40). Also had a win against Felicity-Franklin (54-43). 1st Round District game: Bellevue (Feb.19). Through 29 games Dayton is led by Michael Marksberry (8.6 ppg.) and Julian Jimenez (10.0 ppg). Previous Ranking: 18 

 
 
 19. Heritage Academy (5-18) – Had a successful week, beating Evangel Christian (59-55) and Covington Latin (69-50) but losing to Portland Christian (81-49). 1st Round District game: vs. Conner (Feb.19). Through 23 games Heritage is led by Jacob Chalk (12.4 ppg). Previous Ranking: 19 Top Ten Players to Watch in the Post-Season 1). C.J. Fredrick (Covington Catholic)- The Iowa commit has his team on a 14-game winning streak. Fredrick is averaging 22.8 ppg, and many consider him one of the best players in the state. 2) Adam Kunkel (Cooper High School)- The senior guard has his team on a seven-game winning streak. The Belmont commit is averaging 21.0 ppg and 7.6 rpg. 3) Jake Walter (Covington Catholic) - The Xavier commit is considered one of the best centers in the state of Kentucky. The senior center is averaging 12.0 ppg. 4) MeKell Burries (Newport High School) - The senior guard has led Newport to a five-game winning streak entering the tournament. The Pikeville commit is averaging 21.9 ppg. 5) Brennan Hall (Newport Central Catholic)- The senior guard is averaging 21.9 ppg and has one of the biggest first-round district games in the 9th Region, as the ‘Breds meet Highlands in Ft. Thomas. 6) Ethan Haynes (Boone County High School) - The senior guard is averaging 18.0 ppg for the Rebels, who are attempting to earn a trip to the regionals. 7) Aiden Ruthsatz (Covington Catholic) – The senior guard committed to Division II powerhouse Christian Brothers. He has led Covington Catholic to a 14-game winning streak and is averaging 14.6 ppg. 8) Scotty Draud (Beechwood High School) – Draud is considered one of the top freshmen in the state. He is averaging 20.9 ppg, and Beechwood faces one of the toughest first-round district games in the state as the Tigers play CovCath. 9) Raymond Rodgers (Boone County High School) - The senior is having a great year, averaging 16.0 ppg. 10) Vince Rankin (Ryle High School) - The junior guard/forward is having a great year, averaging 18.6 ppg and 8.4 rpg.

Dicky Beal, Ricky Walton, Mark Elmer, Elliott Simpson and Kevin Sebastian I think were the starting five on that '80 team. Todd Whatley first guy off the bench. The year before that, Holmes had Phil Davis and Beal in the same backcourt but lost to Highlands in regional finals.

This is not a ranking. So I don’t know how it could be bias!

They are both great players! But Fredrick has been better this season. I think some coaches just have the anti-CovCath vote in their back pockets. It is a shame if that's why Fredrick didn't get the award alone. We will see in March!

Coaches couldn't make a decision on the best. Did all coaches see both players?

Is this the correct call by the coaches? You know where I stand. Looks like the coaches were split on the two players. Story is here from N. Ky. Tribune. Two seniors share Division I Player of the Year in boys’ basketball after coaches’ voting ends in tie | NKyTribune

You have all the talent in the world at that school to pick from. You shouldn’t be losing that many games and they aren’t losing close games they are losing by a lot.

1) Joe Frederick(Covington Catholic)- Wouldn't be surprised if someone calls him to be their next head coach. Flat out gets it done. Comes from a great family. Has a lot of connections in college basketball so his players can go to college and play basketball. Can relate to the kids. I believe one of the best assistant coaches in the state. 2) Ben Franzen- Has been at Covington Catholic for two years. His record is 42-0. When was the last time that happened? 3) Casey Sorrell- Former college GA. Had the opportunity to stay in college basketball but decided to be a teacher and basketball coach. 4) John Bud Wimzie- Holmes High School. Great coach even better person. Those are my top 4. Who else do you believe should be on this list?

Is it time for a new coach? Last year record 8-18 This year 7-21

Cooper senior guard Lexi Held, the second leading scorer in Kentucky girls’ high school basketball this season, was named the Division I Player of the Year by the Northern Kentucky Girls Basketball Coaches Association. She's going to DePaul for college. See story. Cooper senior guard Lexi Held voted top player in Division I girls’ basketball for second straight year | NKyTribune

Cooper lost to a team Cov Cath beat by 20+. I have put facts on here about Frederick! Still waiting for someone to post facts why Kunkel! Right now it’s all about people’s opinions. Will the real player of the year please stand up!

CJ proved his point tonight, why he is the best player in the state!

Talking about strength of Schedule. Madison Central >Scott On the road against top 5 team 32 points. Once again C.J. Frederick player of the year! Will the real Player of the year please stand up!

I have posted facts about why Frederick should win it! Not saying Kunkel isn’t a good player. C.J. had a better year! I have backed my post up with facts!

Facts are Facts! 1- C.J. plays the hardest schedule in state 2- C.J. has better season averages 3- C.J. stats against like opponents not even close 4- CJ was better in combined head to head. 5. C.J. has one regional loss. Kunkel has two