With school back in session, action in district and region play really picked up this past week.
Holy Cross’ girls picked up another 9th Region All “A” region title while Walton-Verona suffered tough losses to Owen County in the 8th Region All “A”, the girls dropping a three-point contest in the semifinals while the boys struggled to find a rhythm offensively in a 68-50 defeat.
Newport’s boys made the biggest jump in the rankings on the boys side after their 10th win in 11 games and the Ryle girls continued with an impressive run in three wins.
Could this be the week where a No. 1 loses their spot? Covington Catholic and Cooper have held the top spots all season so far, but tests against the No. 2 teams await when the Colonels host Conner on Tuesday and the Jaguars host the Raiders on Friday.
The 9th Region boys All “A” tournament could end with a top five matchup if Newport and Holy Cross can win two games apiece.
The week ahead will help provide some more clarity as the midpoint of the season is here.
Check the weekly LINK nky rankings below (for Boone, Kenton and Campbell County):
Boys
- Covington Catholic (12-1, Previous Week: 1) – Just one game for the Colonels last week as they picked up a district win over Beechwood. Evan Ipsaro continued to impress as he makes his case not only for 9th Region Player of the Year, but Mr. Basketball. The Colonels, ranked No. 2 in the state in the initial statewide media rankings, have shown no other reason not to be as they remain undefeated against Kentucky opponents. Brady Hussey is really coming on as a complimentary piece to Ipsaro, averaging 13.3 points per game. A showdown of No. 1 vs No. 2 on Tuesday with Conner, which very well could be a matchup at Truist Arena in March.
2. Conner – (9-4, Previous Week: 2) – Two impressive victories over Holy Cross and Campbell County last week and did so comfortably. Hit 27 three-pointers in the two contests and had four players in double figures in both contests. Now comes a chance to beat the top team in the rankings, but Park Hills is no easy place to get a victory on Tuesday at Covington Catholic.
3. Newport (12-3, Previous Week: 5) – Now 10-1 since Jabari Covington was ruled eligible to form one of the better starting fives around. The Wildcats are a serious threat to not only win the 9th Region All “A” title, but the 9th Region all-together. They’re buying in on the defensive end and can attack the opponent with a variety of players. Played a sound defensive game in allowing just 50 points to Highlands on their home floor. Now they get a chance to earn a trip to Richmond this week for the All “A” tournament played at Beechwood.
4. Simon Kenton (11-4, Previous Week: 3) – Picked up a tight rivalry win over Ryle before blowing out Bryan Station last week. If the Pioneers can get production from a third piece outside of Travis Krohman and Gabe Dynes, they’re a tough out. Isaac Gabbard did a good job doing that last week. Highlands on Tuesday followed by a big district tilt with Walton-Verona on Friday this week.
5. Holy Cross (8-5, Previous Week: 4) – Suffered their most lopsided loss of the season to Conner on Tuesday and then responded with a victory over Highlands the next night to stay in the top five. Now they’ll get a chance to repeat in the 9th Region All “A” tournament. Their path to the title game is much different this year compared to the gauntlet they had to go through last year, needing to beat Heritage Academy and then either Dayton/Villa Madonna/Ludlow in the semifinals.
6. Highlands (12-5, Previous Week: 7) – Tight losses to Holy Cross and Newport mixed in with a win over Dayton last week. Dug themselves a 20-point hole against the Indians before getting within two in the fourth, but couldn’t complete the comeback. Against Newport, it was a tight one throughout, the Bluebirds unable to get baskets in the closing minutes against Newport’s tough defense. They get Simon Kenton on Tuesday and Dixie Heights on Friday this week.
7. Cooper (8-6, Previous Week: 6) – The offensive inconsistencies plagued the Jaguars in a loss to Grant County in their lone game of the week last week, shooting 33 percent from the field and 2-of-18 from three. A big district matchup with Ryle at home on Friday and then hosts Beechwood on Saturday.
8. Campbell County (9-6, Previous Week: 8) – Defeated 10th Region opponents Bracken County and Augusta before suffering a loss to Conner on Friday of last week. Aric Russell tied L.E. Woolum for the most wins in program history with 271 on Wednesday. Russell has three chances this week to set the new mark, Tuesday against Mason County, Thursday against Lloyd Memorial and Friday against Harrison County, so Russell and the Camels will have their work cut out.
9. Lloyd Memorial (7-4, Previous Week: 9) – Wins over Beechwood and Holmes before a tight loss to top 10 in the state North Oldham last week. The Juggernauts look ready to make their stride and have a chance to continue to do that this week with road matchups at Campbell County and Scott. It’s the eighth and ninth game of 10 straight road/neutral games. Jeremiah Israel continues to impress with 21.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. EJ Walker’s stock continues to rise as well, up to 14.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
10. Walton-Verona (10-4, Previous Week: NR) – Missed out on a return trip to the All “A” state tournament against Owen County in the 8th Region All “A” championship on Saturday. Now they have two big district matchups to try and rebound with Williamstown on Tuesday and Simon Kenton on Friday.
Next up: St. Henry (5-8), Ryle (5-7)
Girls
- Cooper (11-2, Previous Week: 1) – Just one game last week and another comfortable victory, now averaging a margin of plus-26.6 points per game. Friday will let us know how close No. 2 is when they host Ryle in a district matchup in what could be the first of three matchups this season, the two will be expected to meet in the 33rd District championship and quite possibly the 9th Region championship. Whitney Lind leads the way with 15.6 points per game and 8.5 rebounds a game.
2. Ryle (14-3, Previous Week: 2) – A 3-0 week consisted of a pair of comeback wins over Highlands and Dixie Heights before another victory over Frederick Douglass. The gauntlet of a schedule continues as they take on No. 1 Sacred Heart on Wednesday followed with the showdown on Friday with Cooper. Abby Holtman, Quinn Eubank, Sarah Baker and Austin Johnson helped carry the scoring load in the 3-0 week.
3. Dixie Heights (9-5, Previous Week: 4) – Had Ryle on the ropes before letting one slip away last week, but did pick up a big in region win over Notre Dame on Wednesday. East Central (IN), Mason County and St. Henry for Dixie Heights this week. Samantha Berman and Ella Steczynski are leading the way with 15.8 points per game and 13.2 points per game, respectively.
4. Holy Cross (13-4, Previous Week: 5) – Repeated as 9th Region All “A” champs and did so with ease, winning by an average of 31.3 points per game in wins over Newport Central Catholic, St. Henry and Ludlow. CAL and Ashland for the Indians this week, the Ashland game played at George Rogers Clark on Saturday. Julia Hunt was named the MVP of the All “A” tournament, Nejai Lewis, Aleah Arlinghaus and Sarah Bottom named to the All-Tournament team.
5. Simon Kenton (9-6, Previous Week: 6) – A young team that continues to show impressive wins and also mixed results. Lost to Scott, but then rebounded with a win over Notre Dame and followed it up with a loss to Grant County. Conner, North Oldham and Assumption for the Pioneers this week. Eighth grader Brynli Pernell hit the buzzer-beating shot to defeat Notre Dame.
6. Notre Dame (9-4, Previous Week: 3) – A rough week that consisted of three losses to solid competition, starting with Dixie Heights, then Simon Kenton and DuPont Manual. Two of those three teams in the top 10 in the state. They’ll play North Laurel this week on Saturday at GRC in the MLK Jr. Classic. NKU commit Noelle Hubert recently set the 3-point mark at NDA.
7. Highlands (10-5, Previous Week: 8) – Were really close to a 3-0 week, but let a late lead slip away in a loss to Ryle before beating Scott and Campbell County. Marissa Green just missed on three double-doubles, doing so in two of the three games. Saylor Macke posted 21 points in the win over Campbell County. A young team with just one senior that continues to progress. Two district tilts this week with Newport on Tuesday and Newport Central Catholic on Thursday.
8. Conner (8-5, Previous Week: 7) – Just one game last week in a win over Rockcastle County. Anna Hamilton posted 26 points as she approaches 1,000 career points. Her brother Landen, who plays on the boys team is also close to the career mark. Hamilton leads the Cougars with 15.4 points per game.
9. Scott (8-6, Previous Week: 10) – Snagged a big rivalry win over Simon Kenton before suffering losses to Highlands and Montgomery County, but both games were competitive and the Eagles are making big strides this season. They get Newport Central Catholic and Fleming County this week.
10. Walton-Verona (7-8, Previous Week: 9) Lost a close one to reigning All “A” state and 8th Region champ Owen County in the semifinals last week. They were tied with a little over three minutes to play, but couldn’t close the door from there. Now they get Ryle and Highlands this week to try and rebound. Grace Brewer scored 28 and 10 in the semifinal loss.
Next up: St. Henry (8-5), Newport Central Catholic (8-5)
