MidwestUnited

Harding won the game for them by being a rebounding beast and getting big baskets. Burries took a lot of shots and missed a lot of shots. He scored points, but Harding was the reason Newport won.

A big win for Newport! They made a good case to be No. 3 in next week's ratings. They also showed they can win without Burries having to carry them. Impressive comeback for the Wildcats.

Don't mention it. NewCath is the third best team in the 9th Region when healthy and they are now. Keep an eye on their game at Newport tonight, NewCath has beaten Newport 16 straight times. Can you imagine if CovCath lost 16 straight times to any school of a similar size what the reaction would be?

NKU's Drew McDonald up to 11 double-doubles this season. He gets the Horizon's player of the week award. Drew is making run at Player of the Year in the Horizon. Story below. NKU’s McDonald earns Horizon League weekly honor after averaging 22.5 points, 11.5 rebounds | NKyTribune

I'm sure math isn't a big concern of yours, but NewCath was 2-0 last week with wins over Scott and Brossart. That help you out?

Big Games:
 --Newport vs. Newport Central Catholic (Feb. 5) (NOTE: NewCath has beaten Newport 16 straight times, dating back to the 2009-10 season. The 'Breds haven't lost to the Wildcats since Aric Russell was the head coach at Newport.) --Cooper vs. Newport Central Catholic (Feb. 7)

 --Holy Cross vs. Beechwood (Feb.10) Prediction 9th Region Tournament:

 33rd District: Cooper (Winner), Boone County (Runner-Up) 34th District: Dixie Heights (Winner), St. Henry (Runner-Up)
 35th District: Covington Catholic (Winner), Holy Cross (Runner-Up)
 36th District: Newport Central Catholic (Winner), Newport (Runner-Up)


 1.Covington Catholic (21-4) – Covington Catholic had a very successful week despite playing shorthanded due to illness. The Colonels have won nine straight games after defeating Highlands (71-25), Scott (70-51) and Beechwood (79-43). Leading the Colonels through 25 games is C.J. Fredrick (22.0 ppg), Aiden Ruthsatz (14.8 ppg) and Jake Walter (11.6 ppg). Games coming up: Roger Bacon (Feb. 6) and Dixie Heights (Feb. 9) Previous ranking: 1

 2. Cooper (18-5) – Cooper has a four-game winning streak after beating both Newport (74-48) and Holmes (71-48). Leading Cooper through 21 games are Adam Kunkel (20.3 ppg. 6.9 rpg), Chris McNeil (10.0 ppg) and Braydon Runion (8.7 ppg). Games coming up: Newport Central Catholic (Feb. 7) and Redemption Christian Academy (Feb.10). Previous ranking: 2 3. Newport Central Catholic (13-9) – With a fully healthy roster, Newport Central Catholic had an impressive week by beating both Scott (72-71) and Bishop Brossart (72-56). NewCath is led by Brennan Hall (22.1 ppg), Brendan Luken (12.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Branden Posey (9.4 ppg). Games coming up: Newport (Feb. 5), Cooper (Feb.7) and Bellevue (Feb.10)
Previous ranking: 7 4. Newport (18-6) – Posted a road victory at Breathitt County (84-75), but also lost at Cooper (74-48). Through 24 games Newport is led by MeKell Burries (21.6 ppg), Tahj Harding (14.7 ppg), Donnie Miller (10.3 ppg) and Makhi McGuire (9.7 ppg). Games coming up: Newport Central Catholic (Feb. 5) and Taft (Feb. 7).
Previous Ranking: 4

 5. Boone County (13-10) – Split two games, beating Seneca (65-46) but losing to Ryle (59-58). Through 23 games Boone County is led by Raymond Rodgers (16.3 ppg), Ethan Haynes (18.2 ppg) and Ethan Robbins(13.0 ppg). Games coming up: Holmes (Feb. 6) and Grant County (Feb. 8).Previous Ranking: 3 
 6. Beechwood (14-11) – The Tigers splits a pair of games, defeating Conner (57-52) but losing to Covington Catholic (79-43). Through 25 games Beechwood is led by Scotty Draud (20.8 ppg), C.J. Brannen (10.8 ppg) and Ben Toebbe (9.9 ppg). Games coming up: St. Henry (Feb. 6) and Holy Cross (Feb. 10) Previous Ranking: 5 7. Holy Cross (10-11) – The Indians’ recent struggles continued without guard Jordan Niehuas in the lineup. The losing streak is at four games as the Indians lost to Conner (72-66) and Lexington Christian (76-60). Through 21 games Holy Cross is led by Parker Zimerman (17.5 ppg), Nolan Schrand (15.2 ppg) and Jordan Niehaus (12.5 ppg). Games coming up: Dixie Heights (Feb.6), Ryle (Feb. 8) and Beechwood (Feb. 10). Previous Ranking: 6 





 8. Dixie Heights (13-11) – The rollercoaster season continues for first-year coach Roger Stainforth II. Dixie beat Ludlow (73-50) but lost to Holmes (65-52). Through 24 games Dixie Heights is led by Tyler Schreck (13.7 ppg) and Jabari Karim (12.8 ppg). Games coming up: Holy Cross (Feb. 6) and Covington Catholic (Feb.9). Previous Ranking: 8 

 9. Highlands- (11-12) — The rollercoaster season continues for the Bluebirds, who are gearing up for district play. Highlands defeated Anderson (48-38), but lost to Covington Catholic (71-25) and Campbell County (73-54). Through 23 games Highlands is led by Ben Sisson (9.5 ppg). Games coming Up: Lloyd Memorial (Feb. 10)Previous Ranking: 9 
 10. Holmes (9-12) – After the Holmes administration announced the celebration of Mike Listerman’s last season as coach, the basketball team spilt two games. Holmes beat Dixie Heights (65-52) but Lost to Cooper (71-48). Through 21 games Holmes is led by Kerez Race (12.9 ppg), Jarrod Miller (9.1 ppg) and Donavin Saxon (8.4 ppg). Games coming up: Harrison County (Feb. 5), Boone County (Feb. 6) and St. Henry (Feb. 8) Previous Ranking: 10 



 
 11. St. Henry (10-11) – St. Henry has a three-game winning streak as the Crusaders posted three victories last week. St. Henry beat Villa Madonna (59-44), Williamstown (66-27) and Lloyd Memorial (59-58). After 21 games Wyatt Vieth leads the team in scoring (9.3 ppg). Games coming up: Beechwood (Feb. 6), Holmes (Feb. 8) and Walton-Verona (Feb. 9). Previous Ranking: 12 

 12. Lloyd (9-13) – Played in three games, losing to Gallatin County (72-44) and St. Henry (59-58), but beating Eminence (58-50). Through 22 games Lloyd is led by Jordan Fann (14.9 ppg) and Jamal Neal (14.6 ppg). Games coming up: Walton-Verona (Feb. 6) and Highlands (Feb. 10). Previous Ranking: 11 


 13. Conner (7-17) – Lost to Beechwood (57-52) but beat Holy Cross (72-66). Through 24 games Conner is led by Tanner Craddock (10.1 ppg) and Jared Hicks (10.3 ppg). Games coming up: Scott (Feb. 9) and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (Feb.10).Previous Ranking: 13 


 14. Ryle (8-15) –Ryle won twice, snapping a 10-game losing streak. Ryle had wins against Owen County (70-36) and a big upset over Boone County (59-58). The Raiders also lost to Shelby County (79-70). No Stats available , Stats from Previous week. Through 23 games Ryle is led by Vince Rankin (17.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and Jacob Tarvin (7.6 ppg). Games coming up: Scott (Feb. 6), Holy Cross (Feb. 8) and St. Patrick (Feb.10). Previous Ranking: 14
 




 15. Bellevue (10-13) – Played twice, beating Villa Madonna (55-49) and losing to Calvary Christian (59-47). Through 23 games Bellevue is led by Brett Maehren (16.0 ppg. 8.0 rpg) and Tommy Ratterman (12.8 ppg). Games coming up: Ludlow (Feb. 5), Dayton (Feb. 8) and Newport Central Catholic (Feb.10).
Previous Ranking:15 




 16. Villa Madonna (12-12) – Played three times last week. Villa beat Heritage Academy (58-26), but lost to St. Henry (59-44) and Bellevue (55-49).Through 24 games played Villa is led by Sean McIntyre (13.0 ppg) and Ben Zalla (11.8 ppg). Previous Ranking: 16 



 17. Ludlow (4-17) – Played once and lost to district opponent Dixie Heights (73-50). Through 21 games Ludlow is led by Trey Donahue (13.7 ppg and 7.2 rpg) and Ian Vallandingham (10.4 ppg). Games coming up: Bellevue (Feb. 5), Silver Grove (Feb. 7) and Heritage Academy (Feb. 8). Previous Ranking: 17 



 18. Dayton (4-17) - Dayton lost twice last week, falling short to St. Patrick (87-69) and Calvary Christian (73-59). Games coming up this week: Heritage Academy (Feb. 5), Villa Madonna (Feb. 6) and Bellevue (Feb.8). * No Stats available , Stats from Previous week. Through 21 games Dayton is led by Michael Marksberry (8.6 ppg.) and Julian Jimenez (10.0 ppg). Previous Ranking: 18 

 19. Heritage Academy (3-14) – Snapped an eight-game losing streak with wins against Silver Grove (69-42) and Covington Latin (63-46). Heritage also lost to Villa Maddona (58-26). Through 17 games Heritage is led by Jacob Chalk (12.9 ppg). Games coming up: Dayton (Feb. 5), Walden (Feb. 6), Ludlow (Feb.8) and June Buchanan (Feb.10)
Previous Ranking: 19

NewCath has beaten Newport 16 straight times. The 'Breds haven't lost to the Wildcats since Russell was head coach at Newport. Hall will find a way to get NewCath in the winner's circle again. NewCath players know they have not lost to Newport in years. NewCath 72-60.

Coach Brannen gets his 50th win at NKU, congrats to him! The Norse hit 11 3-pointers. Drew McDonald 19 pts, 7 rebounds, 7 assists. NKU alone in first place in Horizon at moment. That could change later as Wright State plays YSU. Story here. Torrid-shooting NKU defeats Cleveland State, 78-61, maintains spot atop Horizon League | NKyTribune

I am waiting to hear comments about this game

68-29 CovCath. Beechwood doesn't get to 30.

Just give every school in Kentucky a state championship trophy before every season so everyone feels good. Kentucky can become the only state that proudly boasts "Every basketball team is a state champion here" and not be joking. It takes 1 or 2 good players to be a state contender in high school basketball regardless of Class you play in. The entitled few get their way again!

Apparently Highlands considered the CovCath game as an exhibition and not a regular season game that counts on the record. Why else?

Is this a dangerous game for NKU? Youngstown beat NKU last season up there in Ohio. Brannen says NKU is not playing its best right now, so is this a possible upset Thursday night? Still ‘ascending toward our best basketball,’ NKU hits road for Youngstown State on Thursday | NKyTribune

To me it might be on the AD!

Very simple...Jake is a good shooter, he can't guard an empty room. No defense, too small at that level to stop quick and athletic guards. He can shoot when open, but no defense for a D1 guard.

Hard to say that after last night's beating from Cooper. Boone clearly better at this point.

I agree people deserve second chances. But he admits he was wrong and owned up to it, so why did he get a raw deal as you put it? It sounds like he got a great deal with the plea bargain. You resist arrest and nothing good about that. I am happy he gets to coach again, will there be lots of administrative oversight of his behavior away from school? Let's hope so and and that he has learned a hard lesson for the better of everyone around him.

What is going on in Park Hills? Notre Dame is looking for a new coach!

Anyone who saw the Cooper and Newport game tonight can now understand why Boone County is clearly ahead of Newport in the ratings. Not even a debate I would guess after tonight.

What was the score two years ago when CovCath hosted Highlands? Wasn't it like 85-20 or something?

Ummm, Newport lost to a very bad Holmes team. The Wildcats also got blown off the floor by Collins and Mayfield in consecutive days, not a good look, and then barely beat a bad Apollo team in overtime. No one is saying Boone is great, but at full strength as they proved against Cooper, they are the No. 3 team in the region. I like Newport's talent, but talent does not always mean a better team. They beat Boone a while back and that is to their credit.

Please explain to me!

Poor Gary Ball is still living in the 1990s I guess. Pity the station he's on.

Technically Gary Ball is right, Walton will not win the 9th Region this year. We don't even have Walton in our top 19 teams in this week's region report. Maybe Gary Ball knows something we don't? Or maybe it's time for him to step away from the mic? I do think Walton has a shot at winning the 8th Region, the Bearcats are very well coached and have good players. Maybe they can apply to get back into the 9th Region next year so Gary Ball will be right.

After CovCath and Cooper, they are all about equal. Boone is the only team in the 9th Region and break through with a win against the Big Two with their win over Cooper, thats why they are third. Boone has three really good players and is the only team IMO of beating either of the Big two. Newport is good for a few games, then loses at home to Beechwood. Look at Newport's free throws the other night against Holy Cross and that is why I can't see them as a factor in the region. NewCath is a team too watch out for come the regional. I think NewCath will win their district over Newport, but for this week's ratings we are just basing it on what they have done. I agree with you NewCath is going to make a run at tournament time.