Friday, January 19, 2001
Our Fearless Predictions for N.Ky. games
By Ray Schaefer
The Cincinnati Enquirer
• Simon Kenton at Conner
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Conner HS, 3310 Cougar Path, Hebron
WHAT TO WATCH: Tonight's game also has 33rd District implications. The winner goes a long way to sewing up the top seed in next month's district tournament.
Simon Kenton (13-3) poses a challenge. The Pioneers' 74.9 points a game is tops in the Ninth Region overall and second to Silver Grove in Northern Kentucky. Sophomore center Mike Brock and senior guard Jordan Stowers (15.1 and 14.9 points a game) are an inside-outside force.
Conner (10-2) has stumbled lately. The Cougars started at 9-0, but they are 1-2 since. Conner can match offense with the Pioneers. Seniors Terry Johnson and Jeremy Stephenson both kick in 15 points a game, and the team averages 70.
If the game comes down to free throws, Conner has the edge because Marcus Johnson's 90-percent average is tops in Northern Kentucky.
PICK: Simon Kenton.
• Dixie Heights at Scott
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Scott HS, 5400 Old Taylor Mill Rd., Taylor Mill.
WHAT TO WATCH: Should Scott be the top team in the Enquirer's Northern Kentucky poll?
The 14-2 Eagles, ranked third, are making a case. They've won their past six, including a win over Enquirer No. 2 Newport Central Catholic, the No. 4 school in the state.
Scott coach Jeff Trame said the defense was as responsible for Tuesday's 69-63 win over Highlands. The key was senior forward Jamie Medved, an exchange student from Geelong, Australia, whose help contained Highlands' Gino Guidugli over the final 1:16 of the game.
Dixie (10-4), meanwhile, has been off for 11 days. Junior center Joe Bramlage is carrying a lot of the load. He averages 15.9 points a game and 86.4 percent from the free throw line.
PICK: Scott.
• Covington Catholic at Campbell County
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Campbell County HS, 25 W. Lickert Rd., Alexandria
WHAT TO WATCH: Forget about CovCath's 3-4 start. The Colonels have won their past seven, including 5-0 on the road, on the way to the No. 1 spot in the Enquirer poll.
Many consider Campbell County (7-3) a contender in the 10th Region. The Camels are riding a three-game winning streak, and junior forward Kevin Reinhardt averages 18.4 points a game.
PICK: Covington Catholic.
• Boone County at Ryle
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Ryle HS, 10379 U.S. 42, Union
WHAT TO WATCH: The Rebels and Raiders are headed in same direction. Boone County (5-8) has dropped its previous two games, and Ryle (5-9) is 1-5 since a 62-61 win over Owensboro Apollo on Dec. 29.
PICK: Boone County.
• Other games
Shelby County over Grant County
Bourbon County over Pendleton County
Last week: 9-3, season 44-11, .800.
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Our Fearless Predictions for N.Ky. games
