def get_highest9(pair_list):
    """Gets the pairs with the highest 9 scores.

    If there is a tie for the 9th highest score, will return all that
    match it.

    Assumes pair_list[0] has the lowest score and the score
    is the first element of the pair.
    """
    cutoff_score = pair_list[-9][0]
    result = pair_list[-9:]

    index = -10
    while pair_list[index][0] == cutoff_score:
        result.insert(0, pair_list[index])
        index -= 1

    return result