NINTH REGION
At Northern Kentucky University
Wednesday - Cooper (15-14) vs. Dixie Heights (20-10), 6; Newport Central Catholic (20-8) vs. Covington Catholic (17-13), 7:30.
Thursday - Holmes (23-6) vs. Boone County (24-7), 6; Lloyd Memorial (15-15) vs. Highlands (10-18), 7:30.
Saturday - Semifinals, 1 and 2:30.
Sunday, March 4 - Final, 1.
I think Holmes has the upper hand, playing good basketball at the right time of the year.
9th Region is wide open but I think it will be Dixie playing the Holmes/Boone Cty winner in the final.
I'm leaning towards Holmes too, Booher loves tourny time.
Ninth Region
Site: Bank of Kentucky Center, Northern Kentucky University.
Schedule: Wednesdayâs first-round games: Cooper (15-14) vs. Dixie Heights (20-10), 6 p.m.; Newport Central Catholic (20-8) vs. Covington Catholic (17-13), 7:30 p.m.
Thursdayâs first-round games: Holmes (23-6) vs. Boone County (24-7), 6 p.m.; Lloyd (15-15) vs. Highlands (10-18), 7:30 p.m.
Saturdayâs semifinals: Wednesdayâs winners, 1 p.m.; Thursdayâs winners, 2:30 p.m.
Sundayâs championship: Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.
Litkenhous Ratings: 1. Dixie Heights 87.1. 2. Covington Catholic 84.1. 3. Holmes 83.1. 4. Newport Central Catholic 82.2. 5. Boone County 81.1. 6. Cooper 73.1. 7. Highlands 67.8. 8. Lloyd 66.3.
What to expect: Fridayâs upsets by Cooper over Boone County and Lloyd over Dixie have made this a highly unpredictable tournament. Defending champion Dixie Heights is 32-3 over the last two years against Ninth Region opponents, but it has lost two of its last three games against Ninth Region foes. It beat first-round foe Cooper 59-48 on Feb. 14, and also beat both possible semifinal opponents â NewCath 79-72 on Dec. 8, and CovCath 73-59 on Feb. 10.
The NewCath-CovCath and Holmes-Boone County first-round matchups could just as easily have been championship matches if the district tournaments had gone differently. NewCath beat CovCath in the regular season 63-53 on Jan. 13, and Boone County beat Holmes 61-51 on Feb. 7. Lloyd and Highlands are the two lowest-rated teams in the tournament, but one of the two will reach the semifinal round. Lloyd beat Highlands on Feb. 10.
nky.com hoops regional preview
Cooper vs. Dixie Heights
Newport Central Catholic vs. Covington Catholic
Holmes vs. Boone County
Lloyd Memorialvs. Highlands
Dixie Heights vs. Covington Catholic
Holmes vs. Lloyd Memorial
Dixie Heights vs. Holmes
Dixie wins 9th
Here are my predictions.
Dixe blows out Cooper.
NCC loses to CovCath in a close game.
Holmes loses to Boone Co in a close game.
Highlands exacts revenge on a late season loss to Lloyd and beats them advancing.
Cov Cath upsets the Colonels
Boone County beats the Birds
Boone County defeats CovCath in a close game.
The Rebels led by McQueary finally get to Rupp Arena.