The song by the Corrs called, “Leave Me Breathless” may have come out in 2000.
But the title can still be used for motivation, especially this year’s Ninth Region Boys Basketball Tournament where a number of teams could win it. The players that do it for their teammates, coaches, fans and supporters the most consistently for three games will earn this region’s ticket to Lexington and Rupp Arena.
The quarterfinal games are split into Monday and Wednesday at Truist Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.
The first game Monday at 6:30 p.m. features the high-flying Newport Wildcats (25-6) against the tournament’s surprise in the 35th District runner-up Beechwood Tigers (11-19). Beechwood took down the Holy Cross Indians (21-8) in the district semifinals to make it to the tournament. Holy Cross had the region’s second-highest Ratings Percentage Index at .62307 only behind Covington Catholic’s .66316.
While some may assume the game will be lopsided, it’s actually a rubber match. Newport handled host Beechwood, 81-50 on Jan. 10. But the Tigers came back to Newport 15 days later and won 52-41.
The Wildcats have three players averaging in double figures with plenty of support. Newport’s lone senior in forward Marquez Miller leads the way averaging 15.9 points per game. Freshman point guard Taylen Kinney and junior guard Jabari Covington follow averaging 14.4 and 12.3 points per game. Freshman power forward James Turner gives the Wildcats balance down low averaging 8.5 points and a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game.
“I think they definitely play for each other,” said Rod Snapp, Newport head coach. “They’re very family oriented. The other thing is they’re fighting, scratching and clawing for (Miller). He’s been through the Covid year (2020). When we talk about playing for him and the community, it really boosts their morale.”
Beechwood is back in the region tournament for the first time since 2020. Senior Cameron Boyd leads the Tigers averaging 20 points per game and freshman Cash Harney is second averaging 15.6 points per game. But Harney has not played for about a month because of an injury. Sophomore Jack Sullivan hit the game-winning shot in the 35th semifinals against Holy Cross.
“Our other guys have really improved,” said Erik Goetz, Beechwood head coach. “They played really well this week against Holy Cross and Covington Catholic in some highly competitive games. Newport’s really athletic. We’ll have our hands full. We’ll give it a go. Our kids have a lot of confidence now. We’re the Cinderella. We’re the team everyone is hoping to draw now. We’re going to show up and our kids are going to play hard. We look forward to the opportunity.”
The second game features a rematch between two teams that had played each other 10 days prior. The 34th District champion Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts (18-9) downed the 33rd District runner-up Conner Cougars (19-8), 48-45 on Feb. 17 in Erlanger.
The Juggernauts have once again used their athleticism for success. Senior guard and Northern Kentucky University recruit Jeremiah Israel leads the way averaging 22 points per game and sophomore forward EJ Walker is second at 14.4 per game. But the likes of sophomore guards Isaiah Sebastian, Elijah Collins and freshman guard Anthony Blaackar have risen to help them.
“We just have to try to play our game and figure out we’re going to try to maybe do a little differently and hopefully execute from there,” said Matthew Otte, Conner head coach. “They (Cougars) play great together. They feed off each other. They’ve been doing it together for a while so they’ve kind of know the ins and outs of what we’re trying to do. They’ll go out in tough environments like we’re going to be in and lean on each other. They’ve been though it”
Not enough can be said about the four Conner starting senior guards. Landen Hamilton sets things up at the point guard averaging 17.7 points per game. Dalton Kramer has been playing at a high level with 15.2 points per game. Kramer also had the game-ending defensive stop in the 72-71 win at Simon Kenton on Jan. 24
Ayden Lohr and Daniel Campbell have also been consistent averaging 14.6 and 12.2 points per game. Campbell leads the Cougars averaging a team-high 5.8 rebounds per game. Senior center Grant Reece and junior 6-6 forward Ben Fay do a lot of the dirty work in the paint. Lohr left the 33rd District championship early with an injury Friday. But Otte said Saturday he will not know Lohr’s status for the game Monday until later on.
“Conner is very well-coached overall,” said Mike Walker, Lloyd Memorial head coach. “All their kids can hit threes so you have to be disciplined with your defensive assignment and stick to the game plan, which myself and staff will come up with, and see where the chips fall. It’s going to be a dogfight like it was (10 days ago). We hope to stay with all their screens and motions with our athleticism. But it’s still a difficult task for four quarters.”
The other four teams in the region tournament have two extra days to prepare for their quarterfinal games. The first game at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday features the 35th District champion Covington Catholic Colonels (26-4) and the 34th District runner-up St. Henry Crusaders (14-13). The Colonels won the Dec. 6 game in Erlanger, 70-61.
CovCath has won the region championship six times in the last nine seasons. The Colonels are 12-1 against 9th Region opponents only losing a home game to Conner. But the Colonels defense has improved since that game.
“This is another one of those big games where if we don’t get stops, we’re going to be in trouble,” said Scott Ruthsatz, CovCath head coach. “If we get stops, we’re going to be able to stay in the game regardless of how we’re shooting it.”
Senior Evan Ipsaro is again having a dynamic season averaging 25.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. The Colonels are not as tall as last year. But senior guard Kascyl McGillis and junior guard Brady Hussey average 12.1 and 12.7 points per game. The likes of senior guard Ayden Link, Aiden Jones along with Athens McGillis have also helped the Colonel cause.
Senior 6-foot-6 center Braden Fedders has given the Crusaders a nice presence inside averaging 14.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Senior forward/guard Matt Resing, senior guards Jack Grayson and Ethan Kaiser among others benefit when Fedders draws double teams averaging 16.6, 12.3 and 6.2 points per game.
“They’ve set the bar. There’s no doubt about it,” St. Henry head coach Dave Faust said of CovCath. “As far as our kids, they just keep competing. What’s hurt us the last couple games is even the ones we’ve won, we’ve been down at halftime. I don’t know what it is starting out. I wish I had a solution. The schedule we’ve played has helped us along the way. CovCath has played an even more difficult schedule than we do. When you get to this time of year, anything can happen.”
The second game at 8 p.m. could be an interesting one with the 33rd District champion Cooper Jaguars (16-12) taking on the 36th District runner-up Highlands Bluebirds (23-9). Highlands won the Jan. 27 meeting in Union, 69-63.
“That’s what you want. You want them to trust the process. Guys are playing late,” said Tim Sullivan, Cooper head coach. “Guys are understanding their roles. The guys are doing a phenomenal job. We’ve played through some adversity. I’m glad we drew the second day because that will give us a few more days to rest.”
But junior forward Jashaun Pouncy became eligible the week of the 33rd District Tournament and made a huge impact. Pouncy scored 22 in the semifinal win over Boone County and 17 in the championship game overtime win over Conner. Sullivan said Pouncy agreed to play junior varsity until he became eligible to learn the Jaguar system after starting as a sophomore at Boone County.
He’s given the Jaguars that huge inside threat they lost when 6-foot-9 senior center Caleb Brooks to injury in the Dec. 13 home game against Simon Kenton. The Jaguars have seen others step forward. Sophomore point guard Yamil Rondon leads the way averaging 13 per game. Senior forward/guard Gavin Lutz and sophomore guard Andy Johnson average 9.9 and nine points per game with senior forward/guards Trevor Ollier and Drew Schilling also having big moments.
Highlands head coach Kevin Listerman said the model of good programs is consistency. The Bluebirds have been there the last five years. They are once again shooting an astounding 41 percent from three-point range. Listerman said rebounding will be key against Pouncy.
“They’re a different animal, especially inside,” Listerman said. “You know they’re going to be physical, well-coached and for us, I think it’s going to come down to taking care of the basketball then knocking some shots down. It’s going to be a fun tournament. We’re one of those teams that feel if we play well, we can be playing multiple games in this tournament and that’s all you can ask at this time of year.”
The Bluebirds like to play up-tempo basketball wearing teams down. They have four averaging in double figures. But junior Brayden Moeves at 11.6 per game is out for the tournament with an injury.
Senior guard Will Herald owns the school and Ninth Region record for career three-pointers made leading the Bluebirds averaging 19 points per game. He’s the lone starter left off the 2021 state championship team.
Six Bluebirds have scored in double digits. Junior Nathan Vinson and senior Seth Ryan average 16.3 and 11.6 points per game with 6-6 junior post Brody Benke averaging 8.3 and junior Carson Class averaging 5.8 points per game.
The Ninth Region has produced four state champions since 2009. Aside from Highlands two years ago, CovCath won it all in 2014 and 2018 with Holmes winning it in 2009.
