Talk about a little treat to get the palate going.

If you’re ready for postseason hoops, this week is sure to get your appetite ready.

With less than two weeks remaining until the KHSAA basketball regular season ends, the week ahead pits plenty of matchups that could very well be seen again once region tournaments start.

Starting on Monday for the boys, Covington Catholic pays a visit to Lloyd Memorial in what could be a region semifinal matchup. Newport heads to Cooper on Tuesday in a rematch of last year’s region championship. Dixie Heights heads to Walton-Verona as the Colonels look to keep surging. Thursday sees Lloyd Memorial head to Newport in a rematch from last year’s region semifinals while Holy Cross meets Highlands as the two teams look to surge through some recent injuries.

The girls marquee matchups include Highlands at St. Henry on Monday, Ryle and Notre Dame on Tuesday, Dixie Heights at Campbell County on Tuesday, Simon Kenton at Holy Cross on Wednesday and George Rogers Clark at Notre Dame on Friday. Some other under the radar matchups with quality teams include Dixie Heights and Scott on Friday and Campbell County and Conner on Saturday.

Here’s the latest top 10 for boys and girls…

Boys

  1. Newport (24-3, Previous Ranking: 1) — It’s now 16 wins in a row and counting for the Wildcats. They’ll get a couple more tests this week, closing out a strong regular season schedule with the potential to win 19 in a row going into the postseason.
Cooper’s Isaiah Johnson has scored 31 points in the Jaguars last two games. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

2. Cooper (17-7, Previous Ranking: 2) — Eight wins in a row for the Jaguars, the last three without Yamil Rondon as their depth continues to flex its muscles. Now they get a chance at redemption with Newport coming to Union on Tuesday. Imagine a fully healthy Cooper team in late February, early March? It definitely adds more intrigue to an already top heavy 9th Region.

One of a few high-flying dunks for Covington Catholic’s Caden Miller. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

3. Covington Catholic (20-5, Previous Ranking: 3) — Winners of 13 of their last 14, the Colonels could easily be No. 1 in this poll considering what they did to Newport in December. But out of the last 14, the lone loss was to Cooper and here they are.

4. Lloyd Memorial (18-6, Previous Ranking: 4) — Another team that had won 13 of 14 before dropping a Saturday contest at Oldham County. With CovCath and Newport on the docket this week, no better way to figure out where they stand with the region’s best.

5. Campbell County (18-6, Previous Ranking: 6) — The Camels have won four straight after a 3-0 week with wins over Simon Kenton, Boone County and Ryle. They can certainly win out going into the postseason while Brent Sowder deserves some serious consideration for 10th Region Coach of the Year.

Boone County senior Eli Bodkin (11) defends Campbell County’s Nathan Smith (23) in the game Thursday. Photo provided | Christi Wagner

6. Boone County (16-6, Previous Ranking: 5) — After a 13-3 start, the Rebels have gone 3-3 over their last six. But again, you must consider not many expected them to be in this spot at the beginning of the season. Nate Browning should be near or at the top of every 9th Region Coach of the Year ballot.

7. Walton-Verona (19-8, Previous Ranking: 7) — A concerning loss to Spencer County on Friday by 33 points. Could very well be a team they face in the 8th Region tournament. Another cause for concern? The Bearcats are 0-4 against some of the top teams in the 8th (North Oldham, Oldham County, Spencer County).

Highlands senior Nathan Vinson recently scored his 1,000th career point. Photo by G. Michael Graham | LINK nky

8. Highlands (15-11, Previous Ranking: 8) — A valiant effort in a 3-point loss to Lloyd on Friday and followed it up with a road victory at Montgomery County on Saturday despite being down two starters. Nathan Vinson was brilliant last week, scoring 72 points in the two games and clearing 1,000 points for his high school career.

9. Ryle (16-9, Previous Ranking: 9) — The Raiders put up their highest point total of the season in a win over St. Henry Saturday with 93 points. The key to that was balance with six players in double figures. They possess that balance to be a really dangerous team in the postseason.

Dixie Heights senior Hudson Blank (22) scored his 1,000th career point against Scott last week. Photo provided | Ted Jackson

10. Dixie Heights (15-9, Previous Ranking: NR) — The Colonels are playing their best basketball of the season at the right time. Winners of five straight, they’ll certainly get a few more tests before the postseason begins with Walton-Verona, Covington Catholic, Cooper and Boone County left on the schedule.

Next up: Holy Cross

Girls

  1. Cooper (21-4, Previous Ranking: 1) –– The Jaguars are 18-1 in their last 19 now, including a gritty win over Frederick Douglass on Friday without their floor general Liz Freihofer, who missed the game due to a family wedding.
Holy Cross senior Miyah Wimzie grabs the ball in the win over Newport Central Catholic on Friday. Photo provided | Bob Jackson

2. Holy Cross (21-5, Previous Ranking: 2) — The Indians have won 14 of 15 with a big test on Wednesday against Simon Kenton.

Ryle’s Kassidy Peters was the difference-maker in the Raiders win over Conner. Peters finished with 18 points. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

3. Ryle (17-8, Previous Ranking: 3) — After a surprising loss to Campbell County on Friday, the Raiders bounced back with a win over 13th Region contender North Laurel on Saturday. The schedule continues to challenge them with Franklin County and Notre Dame on the board this week.

Sophomore Emma Holtzapfel (12) puts up a shot in a recent game for Notre Dame. Photo provided | Bob Jackson

4. Notre Dame (19-5, Previous Ranking: 5) — Talk about closing out the regular season with a bang…Ryle, George Rogers Clark, DuPont Manual and Cooper for the Pandas to finalize their regular season slate.

5. Simon Kenton (17-7, Previous Ranking: 4) — Another team that doesn’t shy away from anybody. Over their final 10 games they will have played Sacred Heart twice, Anderson County, Cooper and Holy Cross.

Highlands’ Avery Barber puts up a 3-point attempt in the Bluebirds contest with Newport Central Catholic Friday night. Photo provided | Jenna Richey

6. Highlands (17-7, Previous Ranking: 6) — The Bluebirds have now won 16 of 19 after two more wins last week.

7. Campbell County (16-8, Previous Ranking: 10) — Wins over Notre Dame and Ryle in a 10-day span will certainly catch one’s attention. They reward was the No. 1 in the pill bottle, meaning they get a first round bye in the 37th District tournament and a berth into the 10th Region tournament.

8. Conner (11-14, Previous Ranking: 8) — An impressive 31-point victory over Dixie Heights last week. After a stretch of eight wins in nine games, the Cougars have lost four of five, however.

9. Dixie Heights (13-11, Previous Ranking: 7) — Losses to top ranked teams in Kentucky (Sacred Heart) and Ohio (Mount Notre Dame) were expected, but a 32-point loss to Conner was a bit surprising. Now they get a 10th Region tour with Campbell County, Scott and Pendleton County in their next three contests.

10. Scott (16-9, Previous Ranking: 9) — Adding salt to the wound in a second half collapse against Bishop Brossart was drawing the No. 3 pill and now having to face Brossart again in the 37th District semifinals for the right to play Campbell County in the district championship.

Next up: Newport Central Catholic