Region 9: Small School Standouts

This list features small schools from Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties. Holy Cross may have the most depth among them, while Newport has been a consistent force statewide despite losing standouts like Tay Kinney, Griffin Starks, and James Turner to prep schools. Holy Cross returns a talented big three and enters the season as the favorite to win the 9th Region Class “A” Tournament. This list highlights their top players and takes a closer look at the talent other schools in the area bring to the floor.    [player_tooltip player_id='2694621' first='Brady' last='Gabbard'] blends size, athleticism, and polish, giving him the versatility to play multiple spots on the floor. He's smooth for his frame, moves well without the ball, and has the bounce to finish above the rim. On the perimeter, he spaces the floor with a confident jumper and shows flashes of creating off the dribble. With his length, shooting touch, and all-around skill set, Gabbard projects as one of the top players in the Ninth Region this season.     Nate Rominger offers good size and strength, bringing energy and toughness every time he steps on the floor. He's aggressive on the glass, going after rebounds with effort. While he doesn't take many shots from beyond the arc, he's efficient offensively, averaging 12.6 points per game on better than 50 percent shooting to go along with 8.2 rebounds for the Indians last season. His production has started to draw attention, recently earning him an offer from Mount St. Joseph.     Luke is an excellent outside shooter with a smooth, reliable stroke. Over the summer, he earned his own offer from Mount St. Joseph. Last season, he averaged 12.9 points per game and drilled 62 three-pointers at a 41% clip, making him one of the top shooters in the Ninth Region. His consistency from beyond the arc and scoring ability make him a valuable offensive weapon.     With several departures and graduations in recent seasons, Lowe is set to be the primary option for the Wildcats and is more than capable of handling the role. A versatile player, he is a legitimate scoring threat who can do it all, knocking down shots from the perimeter, using his athleticism to attack the rim, and creating scoring opportunities. Defensively, he is tenacious, staying with his opponent across the floor and applying strong on-ball pressure. Last season, even without not always being the primary option, he averaged 8.4 points per game. Expect a breakout season for Lowe this year.     With graduation opening the door for new leaders, [player_tooltip player_id='2749353' first='Owen' last='McCormack'] is poised to emerge as the Tigers' top option this season. A returning starter from the 9th Region All "A" Classic championship team, he averaged 8.3 points per game while shooting nearly 50% from the field and 45% from three. McCormack owns a quick release and stretches the floor as a reliable scoring threat. Defensively, he is active and disruptive, generating steals with his anticipation and effort. On or off the ball, he makes smart decisions, delivers quality shots, and has shown he can produce in clutch moments.     Luhn is a versatile wing guard who isn't afraid to compete inside, taking on rebounding and defensive responsibilities with toughness. He spaces the floor as a reliable spot-up shooter, can attack closeouts off the dribble, and shows good feel by moving effectively without the ball. Defensively, he reads the floor well, anticipates plays, and times his actions to create stops. Last season he averaged 8.1 points per game and led his team in rebounding with 4.8 per contest, while also proving he can stretch defenses from long range.     Irvan Nichols stepped into a larger role last season, appearing in 27 games as a starter after seeing action in 18 the year before. He averaged 4.4 points per game and is poised to take on even more responsibility this year. Nichols plays with effort and consistency in any role, showing the ability to finish strong at the rim. He attacks with purpose, cutting hard, driving aggressively, and creating quality looks around the basket.    More standouts:   [player_tooltip player_id='2381903' first='Kingston' last='Brockett'], Beechwood   Arion Stuckey, Bellevue   Aiden Urlage, Covington Holy Cross   [player_tooltip player_id='2426159' first='Landon' last='Reinhart'], Heritage   [player_tooltip player_id='1543634' first='Trent' last='Stone'], Heritage   Tyler Detzel, St. Henry   Michael Popham, Villa Madonna

This list features small schools from Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties. Holy Cross may have the most depth among them, while Newport has been a consistent force statewide despite losing standouts like Tay Kinney, Griffin Starks, and James Turner to prep schools. Holy Cross returns a talented big three and enters the season as the favorite to win the 9th Region Class “A” Tournament. This list highlights their top players and takes a closer look at the talent other schools in the area bring to the floor.