PHKY Top Four: Regions 9-12
With tournament play just a week away, Prep Hoops Kentucky takes a look at the top teams from each region (in groups of four, 16 regions total – as of week 11). Here we take a look at regions 9-12:
9th Region
Covington Catholic 24-4 (11-1)
The new Cantrell rankings came out and guess who’s sitting at the top? If you guessed Scott County, you guessed wrong. The new king of Kentucky’s computer ranking system is Covington Catholic. Their only region loss coming early in the year at the hands of Cooper (back in December), the Colonels have rolled off 12 straight wins. Their only in-state losses have come at the hands of the before-mentioned Cooper and state tournament contender Fern Creek.
The Colonels are led by Iowa commit and Mr. Basketball candidate CJ Fredrick. Fredrick is averaging 22.4 points per game awhile shooting 50% from 3-point range. Xavier commit Jake Walter and D2 Christian Brothers commit Aiden Ruthsatz are also huge reasons for Cov Cath’s success. Walter is averaging 12 and 7 while Ruthsatz is averaging 14.6 points per outing.
Other teams in the mix:
Newport, 21-6 (12-3)
Cooper, 20-5 (10-2)
10th Region
TOSS UP:
George Rogers Clark – The deepest team in the region, GRC has won 15 straight going into tonight’s match-up against 11th region foe Frederick Douglass. The Cardinals have four players averaging double-figures, led by Brennan Canada (13.4 PPG). Senior big man Will Philpot is averaging 12.8 points and 10 rebounds, junior Jordan Graham is putting in just over 10 a night, and Ryan Cooper is tallying 11.3 a night.
Campbell County- Always in the mix, Campbell is undefeated in region play and came up just short against 9th region power Covington Catholic back in January. They also defeated George Rogers Clark back in early December. The Camels are led by strong senior play in Tanner Clos, who has been offered by NAIA Cincinnati Christian. Clos is averaging 16 points and 5 rebounds per game. Senior Joel Day is also having a fantastic year, averaging 15 a night. But junior Reid Jolly leads the way in the points per game category, averaging 18.2 points and a stellar 10 rebounds per game.
Pendleton County- Two words. Dontaie Allen. The junior wing is averaging 31.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. On any given night they can beat you.
11th Region
Scott County, 27-1 (14-0)
Scott County doesn’t care who you are, they just want to beat you. Ask Zion Harmon, the nation’s top freshman prospect, and Adair County. The Cardinals throttled the Indians 107-66 last night in Georgetown, keeping Scott County’s undefeated streak against in-state competition intact. With Holy Cross and Dunbar the only regular season games left on their schedule, it’s fair to say they may go into tournament play undefeated against in-state competition again for the second straight year.
Led by 2019 junior prospect Michael Moreno, who is averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. Senior guard and UNC Charlotte commit Cooper Robb is averaging 14.1 points per game, while junior guards Bryce Long and Diablo Stewart are averaging a combined 11 points an outing.
Other teams in the mix:
Madison Central, 22-6, (6-5)
Lexington Christian, 20-7 (7-4)
Bryan Station, 21-4 (14-4)
12th Region
Mercer County, 21-5 (12-0)
Having won 13 of their last 14, the Titans seemed primed for a state tournament run. Having defeated another 12th region contender twice in Pulaski County, Mercer has all but solidified the idea of being the 12th region favorite going into tournament play.
The Titans are led by Northern Kentucky commit and Mr. Basketball candidate Trevon Faulkner, who is averaging 26.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Junior point guard Carter Baughman is also averaging 13 points a game for Titans.
Other teams in the mix:
Pulaski County, 18-8 (12-3)
Somerset, 22-6 (14-4)
Boyle County, 16-6 (11-2)