When it comes to postseason tournaments, nothing is given.
Teams that appear to be superior to district opponents on paper have to once again prove it on the basketball court. But there is one exception this year in the Northern Kentucky Girls District Tournaments.
32nd District:
Since the Kentucky High School Athletic Association revamped the districts state-wide after the 2004-05 season, the winner of this district has been either the Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers (16-11) or the Walton-Verona Bearcats (13-13). In fact, the two have battled for the district tournament crown all but several times during that same time period.
The two could battle for it again Thursday. But Simon Kenton must first take care of the Williamstown Lady Demons (13-15) at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Then Walton-Verona must take care of the Grant County Lady Braves (11-16) at 8 p.m. The title game is Thursday at 7 p.m.
Simon Kenton senior center Sereniti Webb just surpassed 1,000 points for her career. She averages 16.6 points per game. Senior guard Alexis Baker and junior forward Emilee Eggleston average 11.4 and 10.2 points per game respectively.
Walton-Verona Head Coach Rianna Gayheart took over during the season. Junior wing Grace Brewer leads the Bearcats averaging 15.4 points per game.
33rd District Tournament:
This one could be the most interesting of all the district tournaments in Northern Kentucky.
Ryle may be favored to win it for the fifth straight year. The Lady Raiders (18-8) face the Boone County Lady Rebels (2-25) in the first game Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Junior guard Abby Holtman leads Ryle averaging 15 points per game. Sophomore forward Quinn Eubank averages 13.2 points and 10 rebounds per game and junior guard Austin Johnson averages 12.4.
The second game looks to be a battle to the end as neither will want to play its final game Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. The Conner Lady Cougars (24-3) bring in impressive 17-game winning streak and the Cooper Lady Jaguars (18-9) have won five straight including a 62-58 overtime win at All A State champion Owen County on Friday. The two have the second and third-best rating percentage index’s behind Notre Dame in the 9th Region.
Conner has three players averaging in double figures. They are sophomore guard Anna Hamilton, senior forward Lauren Hawthorne and junior forward Juliet Strange at 17.2, 14.3 and 11 points per game.
Cooper has two players averaging in double figures. They are junior guard/forward Whitney Lind and sophomore guard/forward Logan Luebbers-Palmer at 16.8 and 10.6 points per game.
The title game takes place Thursday. Game time is 7 p.m.
34th District Tournament:
The Dixie Heights Colonels (22-7) have won seven straight district tournament crowns and have been to the 9th Region Tournament 10 years in a row. They have the second-longest number of consecutive region tournament appearances in the region behind 11 from Highlands.
Dixie Heights opens the tournament against either Lloyd Memorial (14-13) or Villa Madonna (4-22) on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The Colonels have three players averaging double figures in senior Madelyn Lawson, junior Samantha Berman and junior Reese Smith at 17.7, 12.3 and 11.3 points per game.
The host Ludlow Panthers (24-6) take on the St. Henry Crusaders (16-13) at 7:30 p.m. Senior center Jenna Lillard and junior point guard Mylee Garrett lead Ludlow averaging 22.4 and 11.7 points per game. Sophomore guard Kayla Unkraut leads St. Henry averaging 13.2 points per game.
The championship game is Thursday at 7 p.m. Ludlow has played in it the last three years.
35th District Tournament:
The Notre Dame Pandas (23-3) are seeking a fourth straight district tournament title since Kes Murphy took over the program after the 2017-2018 season. They enter the postseason off a 60-44 win over the top-ranked team in the George Rogers Clark Lady Cardinals (25-2).
Notre Dame has a deep 10 led by senior guard Lacey Bradshaw and junior forward Noelle Hubert. The duo averages 13.5 points per game.
The Pandas face Beechwood (10-20) on Tuesday at Holy Cross at 6 p.m. Holy Cross (18-12) faces Holmes (10-17) at 8 p.m.
Sophomore center/forward Julia Hunt and senior forward Hanna Robinson lead the Indians at 16 and 11.2 points per game. Hunt also averages 11 rebounds per game. The title game takes place Thursday at 7 p.m.
36th District Tournament:
The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (19-10 overall) may be favored to win this tournament for the first time since 2014. They are led by senior guard Rylee Turner and freshman guard Carline Eaglin at 26.6 and 12.1 points per game. Turner also averages 12 rebounds a contest.
NewCath faces either Dayton (8-18) or Newport (17-8) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Newport has shown tremendous improvement under Head Coach Beau Menefee. Junior point guard Elexis Litton and sophomore center DeAyjah White lead the Ladycats averaging 15.4 and 11.3 points per game.
The second game Tuesday at 8 p.m. could be an interesting one. The Bellevue Tigers (16-11) took down the Highlands Bluebirds (11-15), 52-45 on Feb. 9 on the way to earning the second seed playing host to the tournament. Bellevue will need to beat Highlands a second time to make it to the 9th Region Tournament for the first time since 2010.
The Bluebirds have won seven straight district crowns and will fight to keep that streak and the region’s longest streak of consecutive region tournament appearances in 11 alive despite battling youth, injuries and inexperience a good part of the season. Freshman 6-foot-2-inch center Marissa Green leads Highlands averaging 12.5 points and nine rebounds per game.
The key for Highlands comes at the guard play. The team hopes to see junior third-year starting point guard Alyssa Harris on the floor. She’s played in nine games this year. She brings tournament experience to the table along with senior guard Meg Gessner. Senior 6-1 center CC Shick has not been able to play the last several games.
The title game takes place Thursday. Game time is 7 p.m.
37th District Tournament:
Calvary Christian will not be participating in the district tournament for the third year in a row meaning the top seed once again receives an automatic bid to the 10th Region Tournament.
The Bishop Brossart Lady ‘Stangs (18-10) earned it this year. They are led by junior forward Molly Kramer, who averages 10.1 points per game.
Campbell County (10-17) and Scott (12-18) face off Monday at 6 p.m. to advance to the region tournament.