Top 5 Preview: Region 9

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KHSAA Basketball season starts officially on Thursday and this season looks to be pretty open. There is so much talent in the bluegrass state right now and this season is shaping up to be a great one. It's time for my annual "Top 5 Preview" where I break down the top 5 teams and college prospects in each region. These are the top 5 college prospects, not the top 5 high school players right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 5 Teams:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newport - The late addition of Senior big man Ben McKinney makes the Wildcats the team to beat. With their size and athleticism, Newport should be firmly in the mix to make a run at a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Covington Catholic - Cov Cath is the main threat to stop Newport from winning the 9th this year. Senior Braeden Myrick and Sophomore transfer Benjamin Brown make a high scoring duo and Senior John Brecount is the X factor whenever the Colonels run up against Newport. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryle - Coach Dorning has a team with a lot of weapons and the potential to play spoiler in the 9th. Holden Smith averaged over 17 points per game as a Junior and Grace Nsuti and Blake Broz are both due for bigger roles this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlands - Tayden Lorenzen leads a balanced attack for the Bluebirds. Highlands graduated 7 Seniors but freshman Amil Wimzie looks like he could be a future stud. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conner - The Cougars return several Seniors who got valuable experience last winter. Tyler Warner averaged 12 points per game last season and could double that this winter as he will have to fill the hole left by Finn Louden's graduation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 5 College Prospects:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2141045' first='Ben' last='McKinney'], Newport - McKinney's arrival in NKY shifted the balance of power. With his length, athleticism and rim protection, Ben is a lock to be a mid major D1 or better player this time next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2964788' first='Dylan' last='Topmiller'], Beechwood - Dylan recently earned his first D1 offers and has a lot of momentum running into the season. Topmiller will have to carry a gigantic offensive burden for Beechwood to be relevant in the region title race this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2828341' first='Braeden' last='Myrick'], Covington Catholic - Committed to Cal State - Fullerton, Myrick is an elite level shooter and is working to become a more well rounded scorer in general. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2272617' first='Griffin' last='Starks'], Newport - The ultimate potential guy, Griffin had a lot of early momentum with colleges before a transfer out of Newport. Now back for his Senior year, Starks has the tools to be a game changer. Especially next to McKinney.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2918862' first='Benjamin' last='Brown'], Covington Catholic - Brown has already been well traveled. He transferred in to Scott last winter then transferred to a school in Ohio for a cup of coffee before showing up at Covington Catholic this fall. On the court, Ben has the ability to score at a high level. He should thrive next to Myrick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Most Likely Mr. Basketball Finalist:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2828341' first='Braeden' last='Myrick'], Covington Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->