PARK HILLS, Ky. – Covington Catholic senior guard CJ Fredrickwas named the Gatorade Kentucky Boys Basketball Player of the Year this morning.
"We are thrilled for him," said his uncle, CovCath Assistant Coach Joe Fredrick. "He works so hard."
Fredrick, an Iowa signee, is also a Kentucky Mr. Basketball finalist. That award will be announced March 13.
Fredrick is the first Gatorade Kentucky Basketball Player of the Year from CovCath.
"All the hard work and days in the gym with (head coach Scott) Ruthsatz, (assistant Casey) Sorrell, and my uncle Joe has paid off," CJ told WCPO.
"And I couldn’t be able to do this without the entire staff, teammates, the Colonel crazies, the entire school and faculty at Covington Catholic and most important my parents (Chuck and Laura)."
CovCath coach Scott Ruthsatz said Fredrick's award validates the effort he's given to the program.
"For the program it also validates all the hard work we put in to get the most out of each player's potential," Ruthsatz said. "With CJ, it's one thing to work hard - a lot of players do that - but it's CJ's understanding that in order to make it to another level you must be coachable. He's wanted to improve on every aspect of his game. He leads by example."
Fredrick, named the Ninth Region Tournament Most Valuable Player Monday night, had 24 points and seven assists asCovCath defeated Dixie Heights 74-31 to win the Ninth Region title at BB&T Arena.
Fredrick averages 22.5 points, 4.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and a 2.8 assists-to-turnover ratio. He's shooting 58 percent from the field including 48 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. He is also shooting 83 percent from the free-throw line.
CovCath (31-4) plays Apollo (16-15) in the Whitaker Bank/Kentucky High School Athletic Association Boys Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournament at 8 p.m. March 15 at Rupp Arena.
CovCath is seeking its first state title since 2014.
