MidwestUnited

Free throws again a problem for Newport? I heard they missed some big freebies down the stretch, took way too many 3s, and no one boxed out on that final rebound basket by Beechwood. Hats off to Beechwood, great game plan.

Yes I have. Wasn’t impressed with him at all

I might give him top 25

I don’t think he is top 10 player in the region!

What is going on with Ryle basketball? Things aren’t looking good!

Holland with 16 points and big baskets late, McDonald gets 15 points. NKU sweeps road trip in Wisconsin for first time. Norse 14-6, 7-1 Horizon League. NKU holds off late Green Bay rally for 77-65 victory, sweeps rugged Wisconsin road trip | NKyTribune

You were saying? Don't be a stranger or shy since Boone just beat Cooper.

Highlands has played very well since the 0-4 start. They are a team to watch once district play begins.

I say Beechwood 57, St. Henry 53, and Holy Cross 61, Newport 55. Beechwood vs. Holy Cross for the region title on Saturday!

Good birthday gift for Coach Brannen on Thursday night. Read story here. McDonald, Holland collect double-doubles, NKU gives Brannen perfect birthday gift with 91-64 win | NKyTribune

I think Holy Cross beats Newport in one semifinal. Beechwood over St. Henry in the other. Holy Cross vs. Beechwood for the regional title, with Holy Cross winning. Holy Cross making a lot of naysayers silent right now. Great job by the Indians.

Tough road trip for NKU this week in Wisconsin, first at Milwaukee and then Green Bay. NKU has been swept both times on this road trip since joining Horizon. Tough game ahead on Thursday night. Rugged trip to frigid Wisconsin looms for NKU, beginning at Milwaukee on Thursday night | NKyTribune

I could have put the All "A" Classic as big games, but even these match ups are less than intriguing. NewCath losing early hurt the All "A" in a lot of ways because they were the one team I thought could make a run at the state All "A" title. Newport has good players, but I still question how good of a team they are. Holy Cross could win the regional now.

Boone has played well in spurts this season. Also, if it's not CovCath vs. Cooper, what can be considered a big game? The 9th Region is really struggling except for those two programs. So to answer your question, what game is bigger than Boone vs. CovCath?

Who else you going to put number 4?

Big Games: Cooper vs Boone County (Jan. 19) Boone County vs. Covington Catholic (Jan. 17) All A Classic at Newport 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), Beechwood (Runner-Up) 36th District: Newport Central Catholic (Winner), Newport (Runner-Up) ***Please note games scheduled for 1/12 were canceled due to weather 1. Cooper (14-3) – Cooper, playing without leading scorer Adam Kunkel due to an injury, lost to Simon Kenton (60-58). Leading Cooper through 17 games are Kunkel (21.3 ppg. 7.3 rpg), Chris McNeil (11.4 ppg) and Braydon Runion (9.1 ppg). Games coming up: Boone County (Jan. 19) Previous ranking: 1 2. Covington Catholic (13-4) – Played twice this week. The Colonels lost to Winton Woods ( 47-46) and beat Middletown at Flying to the Hoops (49-33). Leading the Colonels for through 17 games is C.J. Fredrick (21.3 ppg), Aiden Ruthsatz (16.9 ppg) and Jake Walter (10.3 ppg). Games coming up: Ryle (Jan. 16) and Boone County (Jan.17). Previous ranking: 2 3. Newport (12-4) – Played once and beat Lloyd (84-52). Through 16 games Newport is led by MeKell Burries (22.8 ppg), Tahj Harding (16.1 ppg), Donnie Miller (11.1 ppg) and Makhi McGuire (10.5 ppg).Games coming up: All A Classic at Newport (Bellevue Jan.15). Previous Ranking: 3 1-0 4. Boone County (10-7) – Played once and lost to Scott (78-50). Through 17 games Boone County is led by Raymond Rodgers (16.8 ppg), Ethan Haynes (16.5 ppg) and Ethan Robbins(13.8 ppg). Games coming up: Covington Catholic (Jan.17) and Cooper (Jan.19). Previous Ranking: 4 5. Newport Central Catholic (8-7) – Played once and suffered a disappointing loss to Beechwood (51-38). Through 15 games Newport Central Catholic is led by Brennan Hall (23.7 ppg), Brendan Luken (12.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Branden Posey (8.1 ppg). Games coming up: All A Classic at Newport ( Holy Cross Jan.15) Previous ranking: 5 6. Holy Cross (8-7) – Played once and beat South Dearborn, Ind. (81-60). Through 15 games Holy Cross is led by Parker Zimerman (16.7 ppg), Nolan Schrand (15.8 ppg) and Jordan Niehuas (12.5 ppg). Games coming up: All A Classic at Newport ( Newport Jan.15) Previous Ranking: 6 7. Highlands (8-8) — After an 0-4 start, Highlands has stepped up and won eight of 12 games. They played twice, beating Conner (68-67) and Ryle (43-40). Through 16 games Highlands is led by Robby Gabbard (8.4 ppg). Games coming Up: Walton-Verona ( Jan.18). Previous Ranking: 10 8. Beechwood (9-8) – Had one of the biggest wins, beating Newport Central Catholic (51-38), but also lost to Lloyd (63-56). Through 17 games Beechwood is led by Scotty Draud (22.4 ppg) and C.J. Brannen (11.5 ppg).Games coming up: All A Classic at Newport ( Heritage Academy Jan.15) Previous Ranking: 7 9. Dixie Heights (7-9) – Didn’t play this week. Games coming up: Conner (Jan. 17) and Highlands (Jan. 19)*Stats not available Previous Ranking:8 10. Holmes (5-9) – Played once and beat Ryle (62-40). *Stats not available from previous week: Through 14 games Holmes is led by Kerez Race (15.5 ppg), Jarrod Miller (11.7 ppg) and Donavin Saxon (13.0 ppg). Games coming up: Bishop Brossart ( Jan.18) and Bellevue ( Jan.20). Previous Ranking: 9 11. Lloyd (7-9) – Played twice, losing to Newport (84-52) and beating Beechwood (63-56). Through 16 games Lloyd is led by Jordan Fann (14.9 ppg) and Jamal Neal (13.8 ppg). Games coming up: All A Classic at Newport ( Jan 17) Previous Ranking: 13 12. St. Henry (5-8) – Didn’t play this week. After 13 games Wyatt Vieth leads the team in scoring (10.3 ppg). Games coming up: All A Classic at Newport ( Ludlow Jan.15) Previous Ranking: 11 13. Ryle (6-10) – Ryle is struggling and lost twice. The Raiders dropped games to Holmes (62-40) and Highlands (43-42).Through 16 games Ryle is led by Vince Rankin (19.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and Jacob Tarvin (7.3 ppg).Games coming up: Covington Catholic (Jan.16) and Conner ( Jan.19) Previous Ranking: 12 14. Conner (5-13) – Another team that has struggled recently, Conner lost to Highlands (68-67) and Campbell County (75-45). Through 18 games Conner is led by Tanner Craddock (10.6 ppg) and Jared Hicks (10.4 ppg). Games coming up: Highlands (Jan.9) and Campbell County ( Jan.11). Previous Ranking: 14 15. Bellevue (8-8) – Played once and beat district rival Dayton (49-26). Through 16 games Bellevue is led by Brett Maehren (16.6 ppg. 7.6 rpg.) and Tommy Ratterman (13.3 ppg). Games coming up: All A Classic at Newport ( Newport Jan.15) Previous Ranking:15 16. Villa Madonna (9-7)- Played once and had a big win against Calvary Christian (70-67). Through 16 games played Villa is led by Sean McIntyre (13.5 ppg) and Ben Zalla (12.6 ppg). Games coming up: All A Classic at Newport (Jan.17) Previous Ranking: 16 17. Ludlow (3-12) – Played once and beat Heritage (68-37). Through 15 games Ludlow is led by Trey Donahue (12.3 ppg and 6.6 rpg) and Max Hathaway (8.7 ppg.). Games coming up: All A Classic at Newport ( St. Henry Jan.15) Previous Ranking:17 18. Dayton (3-12) - Played once and lost to Bellevue (49-26). Games coming up this week: All A Classic at Newport ( Jan.15) and Bracken County ( Jan.20). * Stats not available from Previous week Through 15 games Dayton is led by Michael Marksberry (10.0 ppg.) and Julian Jimenez (10.4 ppg.). Previous Ranking: 18 19. Heritage Academy (1-8) – Lost to Ludlow (68-37). Through nine games Heritage Academy is led by Jacob Chalk (18.5 ppg). Games coming up All A Classic at Newport (Beechwood Jan.15) Previous Ranking: 19

Big Games: Covington Catholic vs. Cooper (Jan. 12, Bluegrass Classic at NKU) Newport Central Catholic vs. Holmes (Jan. 12, Bluegrass Classic at NKU) Dayton vs. Bellevue (Jan. 9) Prediction for 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), Beechwood (Runner-Up) 36th District: Newport Central Catholic (Winner), Newport (Runner-Up) 1. Cooper (14-2) – Enjoyed a successful week despite playing without leading scorer Adam Kunkel. Cooper defeated Highlands (61-43) and posted a huge victory against district rival Boone County (62-58). Leading Cooper through 14 games are Adam Kunkel (21.3 ppg. 7.3 rpg), Chris McNeil (11.1 ppg) and Braydon Runion (9.0 ppg). Games coming up: Simon Kenton (Jan. 9) and Covington Catholic (Jan 12). Previous ranking: 1 2. Covington Catholic (12-3) – Covington Catholic had a very successful week. The Colonels defeated district opponent Holy Cross (85-52), Conner (66-41) and Oak Hill, Indiana (69-53). Leading the Colonels through 15 games are C.J. Fredrick (21.4 ppg), Aiden Ruthsatz (17.5 ppg) and Jake Walter (10.9 ppg). Games coming up: Winton Woods (Jan. 9), Cooper (Jan. 12) and Middletown (Jan.14, Flying to the Hoops at Dayton, Ohio). Previous ranking: 2 3. Newport (11-4) – Played twice, beating Augusta (77-35) and Highlands (74-39). Through 15 games Newport is led by MeKell Burries (22.7 ppg), Tahj Harding (15.9 ppg) and Makhi McGuire(10.8 ppg). Games coming up: Lloyd (Jan.10) and Holy Cross (Jan.12). Previous Ranking: 5 4. Boone County (10-6) – Had a busy week playing against two district opponents. Played in three games overall, with wins against Sayre (80-51) and Ryle (61-30) but a loss to district rival Cooper (62-58).Through 16 games Boone County is led by Raymond Rodgers(17.7 ppg), Ethan Haynes (16.1 ppg) and Ethan Robbins(14.6 ppg). Games coming up: Scott (Jan. 10) and St. Henry (Jan.12). Previous Ranking: 3 5. Newport Central Catholic (8-6) – Played once and suffered a tough loss to Frederick Douglass (78-62). Through 14 games NewCath is led by Brennan Hall (24.8 ppg), Brendan Luken (12.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Branden Posey (9.1 ppg). Games coming up: Beechwood (Jan. 9), Bellevue (Jan. 11) and Holmes (Jan.12 Bluegrass Classic at NKU). Previous ranking: 4 6. Holy Cross (7-7) – Played in two games, with a win against district rival Holmes (55-52) but a loss to district opponent Covington Catholic (85-52). Through 14 games Holy Cross is led by Parker Zimerman (16.4 ppg), Nolan Schrand (15.2 ppg) and Jordan Niehuas(13.0 ppg). Games coming up: South Dearborn (Jan. 10) and Newport (Jan. 12). Previous Ranking: 6 7. Beechwood (8-7) – Had a successful week playing twice and winning both. Beechwood beat Noorwood (79-38) and Ryle (60-55). Through 15 games Beechwood is led by Scotty Draud (22.7 ppg) and C.J. Brannen (11.3 ppg). Games coming up: Newport Central Catholic (Jan. 9) and Lloyd (Jan.12) Previous Ranking:8 8. Dixie Heights (7-9) – Playing twice, Dixie Heights posted wins against St. Henry (58-49) and Ryle (59-37). Games coming up: Oldham County (Jan. 13). *Stats not available Previous Ranking:13 9. Holmes (4-9) – Played in three games, losing to Mason County (51-46), Holy Cross (55-52) and Scott (82-72). Through 13 games Holmes is led by Kerez Race (15.5 ppg), Jarrod Miller (11.7 ppg) and Donavin Saxon (13.0 ppg). Games coming up: Ryle (Jan. 9) and Newport Central Catholic (Jan. 12 Bluegrass Classic at NKU) Previous Ranking: 7 10. Highlands - (6-8) —The Bluebirds had a tough week, playing against two teams in the top five in Northern Kentucky. Highlands lost to both Cooper (61-43) and Newport (74-39). Through 14 games Highlands is led by Robby Gabbard (9.9 ppg). Games coming Up: Conner (Jan. 9), Ryle (Jan.11) and Dayton (Jan.13). Previous Ranking: 10 11.St. Henry (5-8) - Played in two games and lost to Dixie Heights (58-49) and Lexington Catholic (63-49). After 13 games Wyatt Vieth leads the team in scoring (10.3 ppg). Games coming up: Boone County (Jan. 12). Previous Ranking: 11 12. Ryle (6-8) – After having a strong beginning of the year, Ryle lost three times last week. Ryle lost to Beechwood (60-55), Dixie Heights (59-37) and Boone County (61-30). Through 14 games Ryle is led by: Vince Rankin (20.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg) and Jacob Tarvin (7.8 ppg). Games coming up: Holmes (Jan. 9) and Highlands (Jan.11) Previous Ranking: 9 13. Lloyd (6-8) -Played in three games, losing to Bishop Brossart (68-62) and Conner (57-56), but beating Henry County (53-52). Through 14 games Lloyd is led by Jordan Fann (15.4 ppg) and Jamal Neal (13.7 ppg). Games coming up: Newport (Jan.10) and Beechwood (Jan.12). Previous Ranking: 12 14. Conner (5-11) – Lost to Covington Catholic (66-41) and beat Lloyd Memorial (57-56). Conner also lost to Lexington Christian (83-56). Through 14 games Conner is led by Tanner Craddock (10.4 ppg) and Jared Hicks (10.5 ppg). Games coming up: Highlands (Jan.9) and Campbell County (Jan. 11). Previous Ranking: 14 15. Bellevue (7-8) – Lost to Seven Hills, Ohio (55-37) and beat Ludlow (56-50). Through 15 games Bellevue is led by Brett Maehren (17.0 ppg. 7.4 rpg) and Tommy Ratterman (13.1 ppg). Games coming up: Dayton (Jan. 9), Newport Central Catholic (Jan.11) and Silver Grove (Jan. 12). Previous Ranking:15 16. Villa Madonna (8-7)- Played once, beating Dayton (69-41). Through 15 games played Villa is led by Sean McIntyre (13.3 ppg) and Ben Zalla (11.6 ppg). Games coming up: Calvary Christian (Jan. 9) and Heritage Academy ( Jan.12). Previous Ranking: 16 17. Ludlow (2-12) – Lost to Bellevue (56-50). Through 14 games Ludlow is led by Trey Donahue (12.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg) and Justin Blackburn (8.5 ppg). Games coming up: Heritage Academy (Jan. 9) and Calvary Christian (Jan.12). Previous Ranking:17 18. Dayton (3-11) - Lost to Villa Madonna (69-41) and beat Heritage Academy (46-27). Through 14 games Dayton is led by Michael Marksberry (10.0 ppg) and Julian Jimenez (10.4 ppg). Games coming up this week: Bellevue (Jan. 9) and Highlands (Jan.13). Previous Ranking: 18 19. Heritage Academy (1-7) – Lost to Dayton (46-27) and Covington Latin (72-53). Through eight games Heritage Academy is led by Jacob Chalk (18.5 ppg). Games coming up: Ludlow (Jan. 9), Villa Madonna (Jan. 12) and Evangel Christian (Jan. 13). Previous 19

Lavone Holland hits jumper with 3.3 seconds left to win it for NKU. N. Ky. Tribune story linked here. Holland’s jumper with 3.3 seconds remaining gives NKU 56-54 victory at Detroit Mercy on Sunday | NKyTribune

Horrible atmosphere! Conner isn’t very good.

Rough game to watch

NKU has a major task ahead Friday night when the Norse play at Oakland. Oakland features the top three scorers in the Horizon League. Kendrick Nunn leads the Horizon League in scoring at 25.3 points per game, Jalen Hayes averages 20.1 ppt, Martez Walker at 19.3 ppg. See story. NKU men to encounter high-scoring Oakland trio in nationally televised showdown Friday night | NKyTribune

You are right! The top two teams are Cooper and CovCath, but 3-10 is very difficult to rank. I think by the end of the season NewCath will be the third best team, but let's see how Boone County does the next week or two since they beat NewCath. I thought Newport would be good, but their lack of free throw shooting has me worried. Their loss to Holmes is a hard one to figure.

Yeah and lost to Conner by 15+. Went 1-2 last week and has a losing record.

The bottom line is this: Cooper and CovCath are so far ahead of everyone in the 9th Region it doesn't matter who is No. 3. There does not seem to be a team in the 9th Region that can even compete with Cooper and CovCath. NewCath has owned Newport the past 15 years, so they will likely win that district. Highlands is playing really well right now and I would not be surprised if the Bluebirds beat Newport when it's all done. Newport has some good players, but they miss tons of free throws and constantly lose games they are supposed to win. That's why I think Highlands might beat Newport. Boone, Ryle, Dixie, Beechwood, these rating can change each week.

OK, NewCath lost to Deer Park. Does that not count? Does the fact NewCath lost to Butler matter? Who cares if you play someone close. CovCath beat NewCath by about 40, was not even that close. But you will say because a player was missing ti was that bad?