It’s the time of the year when teams have to win or go home. Some basketball districts in Northern Kentucky expect to be competitive.
Others, not so much. But as it has been said many times: That’s why they play the games.
Boys Tournaments:
32nd District:
The Simon Kenton Pioneers (14-11) take on the Walton-Verona Bearcats (17-10) in Walton on Wednesday in a semifinal game that will determine who moves on to the 8th Region Tournament. Game time is at 7 p.m.
Simon Kenton won the regular season battle 68-58 on the same floor Jan. 14. But the Bearcats have won six in a row entering the postseason, including a 92-89 overtime win over defending 8th Region champion Oldham County on Friday.
The Bearcats love to stretch the floor with the likes of senior guards Brant Smithers, Cam Christy and junior Carter Krohman. The trio averages 21.7, 18.1 and 12.2 points per game respectively. Smithers had made 73 and Krohman 79 three-point shots on the season.
Simon Kenton has won three straight entering the tournament. The Pioneers have 7-foot-2-inch junior forward/center Gabe Dynes in the middle averaging 7.7 points and seven rebounds per game. But senior guard Isaac Miller, sophomore guard Travis Krohman and senior forward/guard Andrew Smith give the Pioneers balance averaging 12, 11.7 and 10.2 points per game. Krohman has made 56 threes on the season.
The Pioneers have won the last two 32nd District championships. Walton-Verona last won it in 2019 when the Bearcats when the 8th Region for the first time since 1942 and advanced to the state quarterfinals.
Grant County (17-14) takes on Williamstown (15-14) in the other semifinal on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The championship game takes place Friday at 7 p.m.
33rd District:
Ryle Head Coach Keaton Belcher said four teams could win this tournament. The Cooper Jaguars (21-5) finished as the top seed going 6-0 in district play. Junior forward Caleb Brooks leads the Jaguars averaging 14.4 points and seven rebounds per game.
The Jaguars will most likely face the host Raiders (12-19) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Raiders have lost 12 games by single digits this season. Senior guards Donovan Robinson and Connor Bishop lead the Raiders averaging 17 and 10.2 points per game.
The Conner Cougars (18-9) take on the improved Boone County Rebels (14-15) at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday. Conner drove to the 9th Region title game last year before losing 77-67 to eventual state champion Highlands.
The Cougars just received junior guard Landen Hamilton recently came back from injury. He leads Conner averaging 17.3 points per game. Junior guards Daniel Campbell and Ayden Lohr average 13 and 12 points respectively.
Boone County has its most wins in a season since going 16-12 during the 2017-2018 season. Sophomore forward Jashaun Pouncy and senior point guard Cole Shumate lead the Rebels averaging 14 and 12.3 points per game. Pouncy averages a double-double at 10.4 rebounds a contest.
The championship game is Friday at 7 p.m.
34th District:
Dixie Heights (18-6) may be the favorite to win it. The red Colonels have three players averaging double figures in seniors Keirnan Geraci, Billy Wogenstahl and sophomore Hudson Blank at 19.5, 16 and 10.5 points per game.
The red Colonels take on either host Ludlow (13-15) or Villa Madonna (6-18) in the district semifinals at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The second game at 7:30 p.m. could be a battle between the St. Henry Crusaders (14-9) and the Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts (20-6). St. Henry won the regular season battle, 60-47 on Feb. 1.
Lloyd Memorial is athletic led by junior guard Jeremiah Israel at 16.4 points per game. Senior forward/guard Garrett Vogelpohl, senior guard Teyon Neale and freshman guard/forward EJ Walker average right at or just above 10 points per game. In nine games, senior guard Ryan Davis averaged 10.8 points per game.
But St. Henry Head Coach Dave Faust tends to get the most out of his players. Senior forward Camden Fetters leads the Crusaders averaging 13 points per game. Senior forward Owen Setters and junior forward/guard Matthew Resing follow at 10.7 and 10.4 points per game.
The title game is Friday at 7 p.m. Dixie Heights won it last year.
35th District:
Covington Catholic (23-4) has won this tournament the last two years and is a heavy favorite to win it a third consecutive year.
The Colonels make things difficult in the paint with senior 6-foot-8-inch center Mitchell Rylee and junior 6-6 forward Chandler Starks. The duo averages 16 and 9.4 points per game. Junior guard Evan Ipsaro averages 22.3 points per game. But junior guard Kascyl McGillis has the most triples on the team with 59.
CovCath takes on Beechwood (7-18) in the semifinals at Holy Cross on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The title game is Friday at 7 p.m.
Holy Cross takes (19-8) on Holmes (11-16) at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The Indians feature junior guard Jacob Meyer, who averages 38.5 points per game. Junior guard Javier Ward averages 17.8 points per game.
36th District:
The defending state champion Highlands Bluebirds (20-8) have won 20 or more games four seasons in a row and have won the last two district crowns. The three returning starters in senior guard Zach Barth, junior guard Will Herald and senior forward Oliver Harris lead the way averaging 18.6, 17.7 and 10.6 points per game.
Highland did just lose senior guard Leyton Read for the season. But the likes of senior forward Cole Kocher and the likes of sophomores such as Cam Giesler, Brody Benke, Brayen Moeves along with junior guard Seth Ryan have received valuable experience down the stretch and will be relied on in the tournament.
No one else in the district has a winning record. Highlands takes on either Dayton (13-14) or host Bellevue (4-22) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Newport takes on Newport Central Catholic at 8 p.m. in the second game. Newport is trying to reach the 9th Region Tournament for the eighth straight year and NewCath is trying to reach it for the first time since 2018.
37th District:
The Campbell County Camels (17-10) enter the tournament winners of nine straight. The Camels have won eight consecutive 37th District crowns. They are led by Aydan Hamilton, Eric Davie and Jake Gross averaging 20.6, 17.4 and 11.4 points per game.
The Camels take on Calvary Christian (20-10) at Campbell County Middle School on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Scott (7-20) faces Bishop Brossart (11-17) in the other semifinal game at 7:30 p.m. The title game is Thursday at 7 p.m.
