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| 9th Region Tournament Boys Preview |
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| 3/2/2016 - by NKS Editor |
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And then there were 8. All of the hard work that each team has put in to this point finally culminates in a win or go home three game tournament with the prize being a trip to Rupp Arena for a shot a state championship.
The Match-Ups
Wednesday March 2nd
6:30 Conner v St Henry
8:00 Covington Catholic v Newport
Friday March 4th
6:30 Newport Central Catholic v Cooper
8:00 Dixie Heights v Holy Cross
Sunday March 6th
1:00 Semi Final #1
2:30 Semi Final #2
Monday March 7th
7:00 9th Region Finals
Ranking the Field
1. Covington Catholic (26-6)
The hype is real as the Blueboys look to three peat as 9th region champions and reach their 4th consecutive title game. The Colonels enter the region tournament having won 15 consecutive games after losing to Holy Cross in a 35th district seeding match up on the road. Scott Ruthsatz team ran through the 35th district with a 63-36 win over Holmes and a 62-41 win over Holy Cross as tournament MVP Cole Vonhandorf finished with 25 and 29 points on 21 of 29 shooting. I suppose those are decent numbers. If the junior leader plays like that during the region tournament, I don't see anyone in the field that can slow the Colonels down.
While the Colonels have experience at BB&T Arena, having already won twice there during the regular season, the biggest question is how will the young Colonels respond if they face adversity or have to play from behind?
Other Players to Watch:
Sophomore CJ Fredrick (10.9 ppg)
Senior Andy Flood (10.4 ppg)
Sophomore AJ Mayer (9.1 ppg, 7 rpg)
Sophomore Aiden Ruthsatz (7.4 ppg)
2. Newport Central Catholic (25-4)
The 36th District tournament was supposed to be a warm up for the Breds but after beating Highlands by 42 points in the semi finals, Ron Dawn's team struggled to get past Newport, escaping with an 85-79 overtime victory over Rod Snapp's Newport Wildcats. Still, the team from the Hill enters the region tournament on a 7 game win streak and having won 13 of their previous 14.
So why is this the year the Breds just might get over the hump? Two words. Ben. Weyer. The 6'7 Bellarmine commit and 9th Region Player of the Year enters the tournament averaging 21.4 ppg and 11 rpg and earned 36th district tournament MVP after posting 26 points in the semi finals and 28 in the finals. Weyer is the most dominant player in the region and one of the most dominant players in the state. He will need help from his supporting cast, but if he plays like he did in the district tournament, the Breds could finally get to Rupp Arena.
Other Player to Watch:
Junior Luke Moeves (12.1 ppg)
Sophomore Brennan Hall (11.6 ppg)
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