Simon Kenton and center Gabe Dynes play in two holiday tourneys, one at the Scott Winter Classic and then newt week at the Ashland Invitational Tournament. Photo provided | Marc Figgins

We’re now three weeks into the high school hoops season.

A lot of movement on the boys side of things this week while the picture is starting to become more clear on the girls end.

Here’s a look at the top 10 teams in the LINK nky coverage area (Boone, Campbell, Kenton counties):

Boys

  1. Covington Catholic (7-0, Previous Week: 1) – The train keeps on rolling in Park Hills, so much that I ranked them No. 2 on my ballot in the state in the latest AP poll. Just one game this week for the Colonels before they take off to the Sunshine State of Florida for a holiday tournament in Ocala. Scary thing about the Colonels last week? Five different players hit double figures in each game in wins over Holy Cross and LaSalle (Ohio).
  2. Simon Kenton (6-2, Previous Week: 4) – A 3-0 week including a win over last week’s No. 2 team, Cooper. The Pioneers flat out got it done defensively, allowing 38.3 points per game in the three victories as 7-foot-3 Gabe Dynes mans the paint. They’ll play in the Scott Winter Classic this week, opening up with a tough opponent in Elder (Ohio).
  3. Holy Cross (4-2, Previous Week: 3) – Played a solid first half against Covington Catholic, but couldn’t put together a full 32 minutes in the loss. They’ll continue their stretch of nine straight road/neutral games this week when they play at Boone County and Roger-Bacon (Ohio) before headed to the Lexington Catholic Holiday Tournament next week.
  4. Highlands (8-0, Previous Week: 5) – Cleared the century mark for the second time this season in a 101-85 victory over Campbell County. Bluebirds are averaging 25.7 three-point attempts a game, hitting them at a 42 percent clip. Showed they can win without hitting a bunch of triples in two wins in their Carespring Holiday Classic over the weekend against Cincinnati Trailblazers (Ohio) and Boyle County. Head coach Kevin Listerman earned his 200th career win in the victory on Saturday.
Kevin Listerman won his 200th game as Highlands head coach on Saturday. Photo provided | Will Todd

5. Conner (4-3, Previous Week: 8) – The Cougars look to be healthy and back on track after a pair of victories last week. They’ve got a nice balance with four players in double figures and head to the Scott Winter Classic with some momentum this week.

6. Campbell County (4-3, Previous Week: 7) – Shook off a hot-shooting Highlands loss with a hot-shooting win over Bishop Brossart in the Crosstown shootout. Aydan Hamilton and Jake Gross were going to be their leaders, but getting nice contributions from Connor Weinel, Jaidan Combs and Nathan Smith. Calvary Christian and St. Henry this week before they head to Lexington to take on Reed Sheppard and North Laurel next week.

7. Newport (6-2, Previous Week: 9) – Finally got to see the Wildcats play with my own eyes on Saturday and they are an electric bunch. Multiple players that can play above the rim and feature just one senior. If they keep everyone intact and healthy, will be the team to watch for years to come.

8. Cooper (3-4, Previous Week: 2) – Hated to hear the news of Caleb Brooks knee injury, ending his senior season in a loss to Simon Kenton on Tuesday. Without the 6-foot-9 big man, the Jaguars struggled this past week in losses to Simon Kenton and Conner. They’ll work on figuring life without Brooks starting this week when they play in South Laurel’s Legacy Nissan Dribble Drive Challenge.

9. Lloyd Memorial (3-2, Previous Week: 6) – Struggled to score in a loss to Newport, but bounced back with a win over Belmont (Ohio) on Saturday, getting four players in double figures. Their best basketball is still ahead of them as they await to be full strength. A big test looms on Wednesday when they play Pulaski County in the opening round of the Lee’s Famous Recipe Holiday Classic.

10. Newport Central Catholic (5-3, Previous Week: 10) – Snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Holmes on Saturday. Have a big upset opportunity when they host Covington Catholic on Monday night before starting the Swauger Holiday Classic on Wednesday at Bellevue.

Next up: Walton-Verona (7-2)

Girls

Abby Holtman and Ryle hold strong at No. 3 this week in the LINK nky weekly rankings, but can certainly improve on that with a strong showing at the Queen of Commonweatlh.
  1. Cooper (4-2, Previous Week: 1) – Yes, they lost another contest, but it was to one of the top ranked teams in Ohio against Purcell-Marian. They did recover and posted a comfortable victory over Conner followed by putting up a running clock on Montgomery County, voted as the No. 2 team in the 10th Region. Start play on Tuesday against Elizabethtown in the Cochran Mechanical/Smith Realtors Holiday Hoops Fest in Etown.
  2. Notre Dame (7-0, Previous Week: 4) – Currently in the semifinals of the White, Greer and Maggard Holiday Classic at Lexington Catholic after wins over Henry Clay and Male. Noelle Hubert is averaging nearly 20 points per game.
  3. Ryle (5-2, Previous Week: 3) – Have won three in a row as they head to the Queen of the Commonwealth this week at Bullitt East, opening up with Louisville Central. A good showing there would merit a top 10 ranking in the state.
  4. Dixie Heights (6-3, Previous Week: 5) – Sammy Berman eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau in a win over Simon Kenton and they followed it up with a convincing win over Newport Central Catholic on Friday before losing to No. 1 Sacred Heart on Saturday. Headed to the Adams Buick GMC Holiday Hoopfest at Madison Central this week, opening up with Perry County Central.
Dixie Heights senior Sammy Berman (middle) receives hugs from her teammates in the second quarter including junior guard Jaylnn Brooks (14) after scoring her career 1000th point. Berman scored a game-high 17 points in the Dixie Heights win. Photo provided | Marc Figgins

5. Simon Kenton (7-3, Previous Week: 2) – Finished 3-2 in a busy five-game week with games in four straight days, the last one going to overtime in a 45-42 victory over South Warren.

6. Holy Cross (7-1, Previous Week: 7) – Off to a 7-1 start as they also head to the Queen of the Commonwealth this week. A tournament that has no weak teams, they’ll start off with McCracken County, one of the top five teams in the state.

7. Conner (4-4, Previous Week: 6) – Snapped a four-game losing streak with a win at Mason County on Saturday. The four losses were to quality teams, two of them ranked in the top 10 in the state and Holy Cross another, who jump them in the rankings.

8. Highlands (6-2, Previous Week: 8) – Went 2-0 last week and now head to the Assumption Rockets Christmas Tournament on Tuesday, opening up with Bryan Station.

9. Scott (4-2, Previous Week: NR) – Picked up a big win on Saturday over Pendleton County, the No. 4 ranked team in the 10th Region. Lost a tight one to Holy Cross and the team will make a long road trip to Owensboro to play in the Independence Bank Kentucky-Indiana Classic on Wednesday and Thursday against Owensboro and Muhlenberg County.

10. Walton-Verona (4-5, Previous Week: 10) – Lost tight games to Notre Dame and Simon Kenton last week before defeating North Oldham in a tight one. Had a different leading scorer in all three games, Grace Brewer posting double-doubles in each contest.

Next Up: St. Henry (5-2)