Parity whispers through 9th Region high school boys basketball, but Covington Catholic looms as a frontrunner. The Colonels are heavy favorites in the 35th District where they have won six consecutive tournament championships, 10 of the last 11, and 18 of 27.
Holy Cross, a local and state All “A” Classic contender, is a threat. The Indians reemerged last season as a district tournament finalist, giving them three appearances in the final over the last five years. Positioning itself for the right to challenge CovCath and Holy Cross is small-school stalwart Beechwood, a district finalist four of the last seven years. Holmes, meanwhile, is experiencing a rebound after recent struggles. Covington Latin is playing another non-district schedule.
The key for challengers to extend their seasons is avoiding CovCath in the opening round of the district tournament. The road to the regional still runs through CovCath. Here’s how 35th District contenders plan to navigate it, with teams listed in alphabetical order along with last season’s record.
Beechwood (16-12)
The Tigers are in transition under coach Ross Hart, who has forged a winning record after two seasons. Beechwood lost its top three scorers, and sixth man Isaac Popham is out for his senior year with an ACL injury suffered during soccer season. However, several core contributors are back including Owen McCormack, a senior shooting guard who averaged 8.3 points per game last season, and junior power forward Kingston Brockett (6.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg). Both are third-year starters.
New starters include senior shooting guard Quentin Knasel, a transfer from Covington Catholic, sophomore point guard Dylan Topmiller and junior forward Ryan Smith. Coach Hart said Topmiller is greatly improved “with high level potential. He has the ability to bring the ball up the court, shoot it in your face, or drive down the lane and dunk on someone.”
There’s also senior forward Brant Stiles, returning to the team after taking a season off to concentrate on baseball. Junior guard Cole Coppage, junior forward Johnny Yeager and sophomore guard Bryce Pohlgeers are also back.
Regarding team strengths, the coach says “every player in our system is able to handle the ball and shoot. We are long and should be able to use our length to disrupt other teams. This is the deepest roster our program has ever had. There will be a number of guys who can step up on any given night.”
Despite their depth, the Tigers are inexperienced at the varsity level. “We will also be waiting on six football players,” said Hart. “It may take time for us to gel, but when we do, I really like the talent in our program. I’m hoping we gain the experience we need to defend our All “A” Classic regional title from last year and make a run in the 35th District and 9th Region tournament.”
Fun Fact: Coach Hart says his most important and versatile defender is Kingston Brockett, who can match up with a point guard or a center. His mother is Beechwood girls basketball coach Celeste Brockett, formerly of Holmes High School and Old Dominion University.
Covington Catholic (24-9 in 2024-25)
Former Covington Catholic standout Jake Thelen enters his second season as Colonels head coach with a multitude of talented players. They did not lose a 35th District game last season, extending their six-year streak to 30 wins in a row. The coach welcomes back four starters including the top three scorers: point guard Athens McGillis (20.6 ppg), guard Cash Harney (15.8 ppg) and forward Donovan Bradshaw (12.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg), all seniors.
McGillis, a local Division I all-conference standout, has committed to Nova Southeastern. Harney, a third-year starter, is a rugged player named all-9th Region tournament last season. Bradshaw is a double-double threat, if not for the minutes shared across CovCath’s deep rotation.
Also back are starting guard Teegan Stava (4.2 ppg) and fellow backcourt players Dylan Gaiser, Cash Myers and Carson Bode. Swingman Dylan Courtney and center John Brecount return. They are joined by Mason County transfer Braeden Myrick, a 6-4 junior guard who scored 19 points per game and shot 45.7% from 3-point range last season. Myrick was an all-10th Region second-team pick as a sophomore.
“We have an experienced team that plays fast, aggressive and competes together,” said Thelen, who knows the feeling. His team-first coaching philosophy is anchored in all those CovCath practices and games of yesteryear. “We are a development program. Continue to practice and work hard on the things we do.”
When Thelen was asked who his most improved players are, he listed virtually the entire team. Pressed to name his top defender, Thelen instead named four — Stava, Harney, Gaiser and Bradshaw — each a piece of the defensive puzzle. Taking the ball away, taking advantage and taking quality shots is central to the Colonels’ ethos. In fact, when asked to encapsulate his upcoming season, Thelen said, “Take it back.”
CovCath hasn’t won a 9th Region tournament championship since 2022. The Colonels claimed five regional crowns in a seven-year span from 2014-20. Thelen would love to take them back to the state tournament, and he might have the squad to do it.
Fun Fact: Over the last 59 years, CovCath has won 14 regional titles or roughly one every four years. When next year’s calendar flips to March, it will have been four years since the Colonels’ last regional crown.
Holmes (15-14 in 2024-25)
The arrow is pointing decidedly up at Holmes. When second-year coach Sam Elsbernd arrived in April of 2024, there were seven players on the roster. Now there are 26 in the high school program. That’s a powerful metric of momentum. The coach said his staff has worked diligently on player development and retention. Coming off a season when they had a taste of success, he believes the Bulldogs are even more motivated to succeed.
“As a whole, I feel like all of our players have improved a lot,” Elsbernd said. “Especially the players that have committed themselves to the gym and weight room since last spring.”
So, ignore last season’s winless record against 35th District opponents. That’s just part of growing up. What’s notable is the 13-win improvement over the previous season under Elsbernd, who has elevated interest in a once proud program. Holmes needs to keep building because this is swing man Mark McCutchen’s final season. He averaged 16.7 points and 9.1 rebounds as a junior. McCutchen could become only the fourth Bulldog to reach 2,000 career points and may top 1,000 rebounds.
However, four of the Bulldogs’ top seven scorers are gone. Next among the returnees are Rashad Whitfield (3.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Michael Chames (3.2 ppg) and MarShon Rhodes (2.3 ppg). Elsbernd said the athletic Whitfield’s shot has improved. The coach also likes improvements he sees in Rhodes who has worked hard on all facets of his game. Sophomore Kemonte Jennings has developed his skill, conditioning and strength. Intriguing newcomers include transfers Antoine Thompson, a senior guard from Virginia, and Demetrius Holloway, a senior forward from Owensboro’s Apollo.
Team strengths include athleticism and offensive rebounding. To keep climbing, Holmes must convert more in the half court and capitalize on second chances. “For this team to have success we will need to get more shots than the other team every night and be successful at the free throw line.” Elsbernd said. “That means we have to limit our turnovers on offense, and everyone has to rebound.”
Fun fact: Coach Elsbernd sees a future community cornerstone in sophomore William Walker, who he believes possesses excellent personal skills. “He is involved in student council, is part of the group Invincible To Distractions (ITD) that Mr. Gary Huhn has at Holmes and is a leader in the school. He gives me politician-type vibes, very good with public speaking.”
Holy Cross (17-12)
Make it six consecutive winning seasons for the Indians, who finished district tournament runner-up for the first time since 2022. Coach Ric Johnson welcomes back six seniors including his top three scorers: seniors Luke Arlinghaus (12.9 ppg), Brady Gabbard (12.7 ppg) and Nate Rominger (12.6 ppg). They combined for 1,032 points last season.
Rominger, a 6-4 forward, is a returning local Division II all-conference player. Arlinghaus led Kentucky two seasons ago with 91.9% free throw shooting. He shot 86.7% last season. Gabbard, a 6-7 post player, is a returning 35th District all-tournament selection. Also back are seniors Aiden Urlage (4.3 ppg) and Essex Adams and juniors Max Hunt (2.3 ppg) and Braylon Thornberry.
Fun fact: Hunt, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound junior center, is attempting to follow sister Julia Hunt at the college level, as a football player. Julia, a sophomore volleyball standout at University of Washington, was a Big Ten all-freshman pick. Max recently visited football power Notre Dame and plans to visit Northwestern, Virginia Tech and Louisville.
Covington Latin (0-6)
The Trojans are playing another abbreviated non-district schedule, and they are once again under new management. Robert Searing is the head coach, the Trojans’ fourth in five seasons. He’s presiding over a revamped roster. Covington Latin lost its leading scorer and others, accounting for more than 75% of the offensive production.
The good news: the roster is larger, giving the Trojans more options as they develop. Senior Carter Johnson, the team’s top returning scorer, averaged 7.2 points per game last season. Juniors Lincoln MacRae (1.7 ppg) and Reese Cogsville (0.5 ppg) and sophomore Cameron Gapinski are also back.
Fun fact: Included on the schedule are two games, vs. Louisville Highlands Latin and Louisville Collegiate, at Thomas More University’s Connor Convocation Center. Covington Latin has a partnership with Thomas More.