There’s only about two things certain for the area top 10 boys and girls, the boys top two is pretty comfortably in place while the top girls team is a no-brainer.
From there? Good luck.
Some upsets took place either in district or region play, or even out of region play. Deciphering who should go where was not easy, but I took my best crack at it.
Here goes…
BOYS
- Covington Catholic (13-4, Previous Week: 1) — The Colonels have won six straight after scraping by Lakota East on Sunday in the Beacon Orthopaedics/Tri Health Holiday Hardwood Classic. Caden Miller set a program record for blocks in the contest with nine, breaking a 19-year old record by Brennan Votel. Miller is a big reason why the Colonels boast one of the best defenses in the state, allowing just 51.2 points per game. He’s also shooting 68% from the field, top 10 in the state and pulling down 9.8 rebounds per game, 40th in the state. Athens McGillis, Brady Hussey and Cash Harney have been consistent producers in the box scores.
2. Newport (16-3, Previous Week: 2) — As expected, Newport cruised through the 9th Region in the All “A” and won their eighth in a row in a victory on Sunday over Middletown (Ohio) in the Beacon Orthopaedics Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational. They did get an injury scare with Taylen Kinney going down in the All “A” championship against Holy Cross, but sounds as if he avoided serious injury and may be back for the All “A” state tournament later next week. Kinney hit the 1,000 career point mark in Friday’s semifinal victory over Newport Central Catholic. The Wildcats showed off their depth as Jabari Covington won the All “A” tournament MVP while Amontae Lowe and Griffin Starks stepped up and played big roles. Kinney’s 86% at the free throw line is 11th in the state.
3. Lloyd Memorial (13-4, Previous Week: 6) — The Juggs are on fire, winning their eighth straight Monday over Preble Shawnee (Ohio) in the Beacon Orthopaedics Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational. EJ Walker scored his 1,000th career point in their Jan. 9 victory over Simon Kenton and had Wisconsin, Iowa and Louisville all in to visit his home games last week. They’re getting solid contributions elsewhere to help take some pressure off Walker as Isaiah Sebastian and Elijah Collins posted solid stat lines in victories. It’s a let’s see what they’re made of week with Cooper on Wednesday and Covington Catholic on Friday on the docket. Walker’s 10.5 rebounds per game is 26th in the state.
4. Boone County (12-3, Previous Week: 5) — It may not be in the most convincing form of ways, but the Rebels just keep winning. Another thing that’s consistent is how they balance the scoresheet out, four players in double figures in Friday’s victory over Conner. The win over the Cougars puts them in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the 33rd District. A win over Cooper on Friday and they accomplish that for the first time since 2018. Maddox Jones 67% field goal percentage is good for 13th in the state.
5. Campbell County (12-4, Previous Week: 3) — A couple of setbacks last week in road losses to Mason County and Lloyd Memorial, but bounced back with a road victory at Harrison County. Garyn Jackson posted a solid week in the three games with 52 points, hitting 21-of-32 field goals and 6-of-7 from the 3-point line.
6. Ryle (9-6, Previous Week: 8) — The Raiders called Friday night’s victory over Cooper a “statement win” and something that can give them the confidence to make them a dangerous team the rest of the way. The defense was what won it, holding Cooper to 39% shooting and winning the rebounding battle, 32-25. With a win over Conner on Friday and a Cooper win over Boone County, it would create a three-way tie for the No. 1 seed in the 33rd District. Things would then turn to an RPI tiebreaker, where Boone County currently sits ahead of the other two.
7. Cooper (10-7, Previous week: 4) — Over their last seven games: win one, lose one, win one, lose one, win one, lose one, win one. Their longest win streak this season is three games, longest losing streak is two games. While consistency is nice, they were 14-12 going into the postseason last year before they made a run all the way to the region final. Can they do something similar? Without a doubt. Barring any more injuries, they should be back to full strength here soon as Andy Johnson’s return is imminent. Shaun Pouncy’s 63% field goal percentage is 43rd in the state.
8. Walton-Verona (14-5, Previous Week: 7) — The Bearcats had a five-game winning streak snapped to Oldham County on Saturday. Prior to that, they picked up a big 32nd District seed win over Simon Kenton on Friday. They get Covington Catholic at home on Tuesday, what should be a great test for them as they gear up for the All “A” state tournament next week, opening with Augusta in the first round on Jan. 25. Aaron Gutman’s 21.2 points per game is good for 42nd in the state. Zach Smith’s 83.9% free throw percentage is 26th in the state.
9. Holy Cross (11-5, Previous week: 9) — Ricardo Johnson has the Indians fighting and it certainly isn’t going unnoticed as they’re off to an 11-5 start to the season. They still have Holmes, Covington Catholic and Beechwood on the schedule to determine 35th District seeding and try and set themselves up to make the region tournament. If Friday night was any indicator in the All “A” semifinals, Beechwood and Holy Cross will be another war to determine who makes it to Truist Arena in March. Luke Arlinghaus and William McElheney are making teams pay at the free throw line at 94 and 84.6% clips. Arlinghaus percentage is second in the state, McElheney 20th.
10. Highlands (9-9, Previous Week: 10) — Picked up a win at Dixie Heights to keep them in the top 10 as losses to Cooper and Moeller (Ohio) put them at .500 for the season. Big one at NewCath on Saturday in a 36th District battle. Brayden Moeves is 83% at the free throw line, 32nd in the state. Moeves is also knocking down 3.5 three-pointers a contest, good for 13th in the state.
Next up: Dixie Heights
GIRLS
- Cooper (16-3, Previous Week: 1) — A 13-game winning streak comes with a much needed six-day break from games. The competitive schedule mixed in with a lot of travel seemed to have taken a toll on the team last week as they struggled to hit shots, going 30% from the field in a win over Campbell County and 25% from the field in a win over Ryle. But one thing that makes the Jaguars elite is their defense, allowing 66 points combined in the two contests.
2. Holy Cross (12-5, Previous Week: 4) — A quarter away from their biggest win of the season, Holy Cross couldn’t finish out against George Rogers Clark on the road, outscored 18-6 in the final frame. But even in the loss, I believe Holy Cross is playing as good as anyone in the region right now. A three-game week this week before they try to defend their All “A” state title next week in Corbin. The three-game stretch starts off with Notre Dame in a battle for the No. 1 seed in the 35th District. Should be a great one in Park Hills Wednesday night. On top of her inside presence, Julia Hunt is making teams pay at the free throw line at a 79% clip, good for top 35 in the state.
3. Notre Dame (14-3, Previous Week: 2) — Their first in-state loss of the season came on Saturday to Frederick Douglass at the MLK Jr. Classic at George Rogers Clark. Now they get ready for Holy Cross on Wednesday, a matchup the Pandas have won nine of the last 10 meetings, Holy Cross ending an eight-game Notre Dame winning streak in the series during the regular season last year. Pandas got the last laugh in the district championship last season, however. Emma Holtzapfel’s 2.9 three-pointers per game is good for 14th in the state.
4. Ryle (10-7, Previous Week: 3) — The silver lining of a sixth straight loss to Cooper was they were virtually neck-and-neck with the Jaguars to the final minute without the services of Sarah Baker for the final two and a half quarters, who left the game due to an injury. Baker appears to be okay as they have off until Friday when they take on Conner for 33rd District seeding positioning. Quinn Eubank makes teams pay in a variety of ways, most notably so at the free throw line, hitting 79% of her attempts and good for 31st in the state.
5. Simon Kenton (12-5, Previous Week: 5) — With Anna Kelch’s productivity ramping up over the last few games, it adds a solid third scoring piece with Brynli Pernell and Haylie Webb. That should really help them as they head down the second half of the season. A date to circle is Jan. 30 when the Pioneers host Anderson County in what could be a potential matchup of the 8th Region championship. Pernell’s 2.4 three-pointers per game is top 50 in the state.
6. Highlands (10-5), Previous Week: 6) — The Bluebirds finally got to play at home on Saturday after 14 road/neutral site games to start the season. The scheduling anomaly now has them with eight of their final 13 regular season games at home. They can virtually clinch the No. 1 seed for the 36th District tournament with wins over Dayton and Newport Central Catholic this week. After a 1-4 start, the Bluebirds are 9-1 in their last 10. Contributions outside of Marissa Green is the reason as others are stepping up to alleviate some pressure from the junior standout. Green is shooting 64% from the field so far, good for top 10 in the state.
7. Conner (8-10, Previous Week: 7) — Another team that is getting hot at the right time as the Cougars have won six of their last seven. Couple solid tests this week with Grant County on Tuesday and a game they’ve circled since Feb. 21, 2023…Ryle on Friday. Conner knows in order to get into the region tournament, they’re going to have to beat the Raiders.
8. Campbell County (12-4, Previous Week: 8) — The Camels were in a battle with Cooper last week, just struggled to hit shots and turned the ball over in a 44-34 loss. They rebounded with a victory over Fleming County as Isabella Jayasuriya continues to put up an All-Region type season with 28 points and 11 rebounds in the victory. Campbell County is 5-0 in region play and has just two more games against 10th Region opponents.
9. Newport Central Catholic (11-5, Previous Week: 9) — The Thoroughbreds are 22nd in the state in scoring with 61.4 points per game, however, they’ve failed to hit that mark in their five losses. When they score 61 or more, they’re 8-0, when they don’t, they’re 3-5. Highlands on Friday in a big 36th District tilt. On top of being 12th in the state in scoring with 23.7 points per game, Caroline Eaglin is a top 40 free throw shooter, hitting 78% of her attempts.
10. Dixie Heights (7-8, Previous Week: NR) — The Colonels showed they’re still the class of the 34th District with a 55-32 victory over St. Henry on Friday. They’ve been plagued by the injury bug with hopes to get healthy down the stretch. Can put together a few wins over the next few weeks before they end the season with a gauntlet that includes Sacred Heart, Mount Notre Dame (Ohio) and Franklin County. Bella Crawford is a top 15 free throw shooter in the state at 84%.
Next up: Walton-Verona