Five weeks down, seven to go.
By the end of the week, the 2022-23 KHSAA basketball regular season will be halfway through. Last week presented a lot of games with holiday tournaments and thankfully no cancellations or postponements due to inclement weather.
A lot of teams had chances to showcase their talents all over the state, whether in their own backyard, Lexington, out East towards or in the mountains, down in south central KY or Louisville.
Here’s a look at the top 10 LINK nky area teams in boys and girls basketball (Kenton, Boone and Campbell County):
BOYS
- Covington Catholic (11-1, Previous Week: 1) – Took their first loss of the season down in Florida against one of the top five teams in the sunshine state against Olympia. Finished 3-1 in the Kingdom of the Sun tournament including a top 20 team Riviera Beach in Florida and last year’s Division I state champ in Ohio against Pickerington Central to earn fifth place. Colonels play at Beechwood on Friday in a 35th District tilt.
2. Conner (7-4, Previous Week: 5) – Had a really neat experience as they got to play in the Cintas Center last week against Dublin Jerome. Got a win there too as they went 2-1 against Ohio teams. They’re now 5-1 in their last six with everyone healthy. A prove it week ahead with Holy Cross on Tuesday, Campbell County on Friday and Covington Catholic next Tuesday.
3. Simon Kenton (9-4, Previous Week: 4) – Reached the finals of the Ashland Invitational Tournament before suffering a loss to 8th Region foe Collins. Did win at Ashland and knocked off Henry Clay in the semis, so the Pioneers had to earn their way there. Ryle on Tuesday and Bryan Station on Friday at home for the Pioneers this week.
4. Holy Cross (7-4, Previous Week: 2) – Went 1-2 down in Lexington at the Lexington Catholic holiday tournament with a win over Bracken County and losses to Lyon County and CAL. Jacob Meyer scored 120 points in the three games, but the Indians struggled defensively, allowing 86 points per game. Big week as they have their first home game since December 2 on Tuesday with Conner and host Highlands the next night.
5. Newport (10-3, Previous Week: 7) – Went 2-1 down in Corbin with wins over Bell County and Doss and a loss to host Corbin, not an easy place to go pick up a road win. Dynamic guards Tay Kinney and Jabari Covington averaged 16 and 15 points per game in the three games, respectively. Plays at East Central (Indiana) on Tuesday and at Highlands on Saturday.
6. Cooper (7-5, Previous Week: 8) – Have bounced back to win four of five over the last two weeks, defeating Butler County and Breckinridge County last week in Owensboro at the Independence Bank Classic. Jaguars getting it done defensively during that stretch, allowing 45 points per game. Host Holmes on Wednesday and play at Grant County on Saturday.
7. Highlands (11-3, Previous Week: 3) – Went 1-2 at the South Oldham Christmas tournament, losing to the lone undefeated left in the state against McCracken County and a loss to Seneca before closing out in a win over East Jessamine. In their three losses this season, they’ve been held to 61.3 points per game, in their 11 wins, they’re averaging 88.6. Play at Holy Cross on Wednesday in what should be a high-scoring affair. Also hosts Dayton on Thursday before hosting Newport on Saturday.
8. Campbell County (7-5, Previous Week: 6) – Also went 1-2 down in Lexington at the Lexington Catholic holiday tournament with a win over Bracken County and a loss to North Laurel and CAL. Aydan Hamilton led the way in all three contests with 82 points in the three games. Camels 12 three-pointers and shot 54 percent in the win over Bracken. Host Bracken on Tuesday in a rematch, plays at Augusta on Wednesday and plays at Conner on Friday.
9. Lloyd Memorial (5-3, Previous Week: 9) – It’s been an odd schedule to start the season for the Juggernauts with just eight games in the first five weeks and haven’t played since December 22. Things will really start to ramp up this week, starting with Beechwood on the road Tuesday. It’s their fifth of 10 straight road/neutral games as they close out the week with Holmes on Friday and at top-10 ranked North Oldham on Saturday.
10. Newport Central Catholic (8-6, Previous Week: 10) – Unfortunate news from their trip to Williamsburg as second leading scorer and leading rebounder Caleb Eaglin is lost for the season to injury on a dirty play from a Williamsburg player. The Thoroughbreds went 2-1 at Williamsburg’s Bill Perkins Holiday Classic. They play at Bracken County on Wednesday before they get their start in the 9th Region All “A” Classic next week, opening up with Bellevue.
Next up: Walton-Verona (8-3), St. Henry (5-7), Beechwood (5-7)
GIRLS
- Cooper (10-2, Previous Week: 1) – They’re not just beating teams, they’re winning by wide margins. Three impressive wins last week over Rowan County, Russell and Holy Cross by an average of 28 points per game. Whitney Lind just missed a triple-double in the win over Rowan County with 17 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. They get Meade County on Saturday.
2. Ryle (11-3, Previous Week: 2) – Have posted four top 20 wins in the last two weeks, including two last week over McCracken County and Bowling Green, avenging a loss the previous week to Bowling Green. Quinn Eubank reached 1,000 career points last week in the win over McCracken. Highlands on Tuesday, Dixie Heights on Friday and Frederick Douglass on Saturday.
3. Notre Dame (9-1, Previous Week: 3) – Just one game last week, a blowout win over Holmes. Three big tests this week when they take on Dixie Heights on Wednesday, Simon Kenton on Friday and DuPont Manual on Saturday, one of the top five teams in the state.
4. Dixie Heights (8-4, Previous Week: 4) – A light week last week, a loss to Assumption in their lone game at the Century Bank Holiday Classic at Assumption. Tough tests ahead with two home games against Notre Dame on Wednesday and Ryle on Friday.
5. Holy Cross (10-4, Previous Week: 5) – Went 1-1 last week with a win over Seton (Ohio), before a loss to Cooper. Begin their 9th Region All “A” title defense on Tuesday, opening up with Newport Central Catholic in what could be their toughest test in the tourney.
6. Simon Kenton (8-4, Previous Week: 6) – Went 1-1 at Lakota West (Ohio) last week as they didn’t have second leading scorer Emilee Eggleston. At Scott on Tuesday and then host Notre Dame on Friday and Grant County on Saturday.
7. Conner (7-5, Previous Week: 7) – Went 1-1 in Ohio with a loss to Archbishop Alter followed by a win over Bellbrook, Kelsee Simpson with a big game of 16 points and 13 rebounds in the victory. Just one game this week against Rockcastle County at Franklin County on Saturday.
8. Highlands (8-4, Previous Week: 8) – Marissa Green continues to terrorize the opponent as she recorded a triple-double in the win over Roger Bacon (Ohio) with 16 points, 16 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. Green is now averaging 18.8 points and 10 rebounds per game in her sophomore season. The sophomore is also shooting 64 percent from the field. Highlands hosts Ryle on Tuesday and Scott on Friday before playing at Campbell County on Saturday.
9. Walton-Verona (6-7, Previous Week: 9) – Went 1-2 at the Century Bank Holiday Classic, losing a tight one to undefeated Anderson County, defeating East Jessamine and then a loss to Bethlehem. Starts off their 8th Region All “A” Classic tournament run on Tuesday against Eminence at Gallatin County. A matchup with Owen County in the semifinals looks highly likely and an intriguing matchup.
10. Scott (7-4, Previous Week: NR) – Won the Pam Browning Classic at Carroll County with three wins over Shelby County, Letcher County Central and the host Carroll County in the championship. Eric Pouncy is getting contributions up and down the board.
Next up: Newport Central Catholic (8-4), Bishop Brossart (9-4), Campbell County (6-7)
