This past week provided us some great matchups on the hardwood and there’s many more to come over the next few weeks before things get real in the postseason late February.
I’ll say it again, the parity in Northern Kentucky means there’s no nights off. One through 10 (and beyond) on the boys side, you better be ready any given night or you’re going to get beat. Same can be said for the majority on the girls side.
Here’s a look at the top 10 teams in boys and girls in Northern Kentucky.
BOYS
- Cooper (10-4, Previous Ranking: 2) — At 6-0 in region play and wins over Covington Catholic and Lloyd Memorial, the Jaguars have earned the top spot at this point of the season. All eyes are now on their Feb. 4 matchup at Conner, the winner getting the important No. 1 seed for the 33rd District tournament.
2. Covington Catholic (15-4, Previous Ranking: 1) — A busy four-game week ended 2-2 with a pair of overtime losses to Cooper and Trinity. They win those and not only do they remain the No. 1 team in NKY, but warrant a top five ranking in the state. But that’s the way the ball bounces sometimes and they certainly aren’t taking any time to dwell with Campbell County and Great Crossing on the docket this week.
3. Conner (13-4, Previous Ranking: 5) — Another team undefeated in region play. After Scott and St. Henry this week, they’ll really get tested over the final couple weeks of the regular season with Cooper, Highlands, Newport, Covington Catholic and Lloyd Memorial all on the schedule.
4. Lloyd Memorial (13-6, Previous Ranking: 3) — After a three-game losing streak, the Juggernauts got back on track with wins over Holy Cross and Ludlow. No. 1 seed on the line for the 34th District tournament when they welcome Dixie Heights to Erlanger on Tuesday.
5. Beechwood (11-6, Previous Ranking: 6) — Were unable to get much momentum in their All “A” state tournament loss to Owensboro Catholic on the Aces home floor.
6. Newport (11-7, Previous Ranking: 7) — A nice win over Holy Cross on Saturday sets them up for three big tests this week, starting with Highlands in Fort Thomas on Wednesday. Archbishop Hoban (Ohio) and the No. 1 team in the state of Kentucky, St. Xavier, follows on Saturday and Sunday.
7. Campbell County (13-5, Previous Ranking: 4) — Losses to Conner and Montgomery County cause the drop. A busy four-game week coming up for the Camels that includes four games in five days starting on Wednesday with Covington Catholic. They’ll then play Boone County on Thursday, Pendleton County on Saturday at Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Indiana and then take on Highlands at NKU on Sunday.
8. Dixie Heights (12-3, Previous Ranking: 8) — Their eight-game winning will be put to the test on Tuesday when they play at Lloyd Memorial.
9. Simon Kenton (14-5, Previous Ranking: 10) — The Pioneers have won 12 of 13 including a nice comeback win over Lloyd last week. A big one with Walton-Verona on Friday, the Pioneers win that, they clinch the No. 1 seed for the 32nd District tournament.
10. Holy Cross (10-6, Previous Ranking: 9) — The Indians have lost three straight. Good news for them is they still control their own destiny in the 35th District with district contests against Covington Catholic (Feb. 4) and Beechwood (Feb. 7) still to be played.
Next up: Highlands, Ryle
GIRLS
- Holy Cross (18-2, Previous Ranking: 1) — Were unable to hit shots consistently in their quest to three-peat at the All “A” state tournament. Now they turn their attention to trying to earn the No. 1 seed for the 35th District tournament as a showdown with Notre Dame looms on Feb. 5.
2. Cooper (12-4, Previous Ranking: 2) — Their six-game winning streak was snapped by Franklin County in a top five in the state matchup on Saturday. Two more solid matchups this week with Simon Kenton on Thursday and Notre Dame on Saturday.
3. Simon Kenton (13-3, Previous Ranking: 3) — Big matchups in store over the final couple weeks of the regular season with Walton-Verona, Cooper, Campbell County, Anderson County, Bethlehem, Holy Cross, Sacred Heart and Highlands all coming up.
4. Dixie Heights (11-5, Previous Ranking: 6) — If there’s such a thing as a good loss, Dixie had one last week as they were trailing by just four points headed into the fourth quarter against Sacred Heart. Solid matchup coming this week with Holy Cross coming to Edgewood on Thursday.
5. Highlands (15-4, Previous Ranking: 4) — With the No. 1 seed for the 36th District tournament clinched, Highlands will test itself with Campbell County, Sacred Heart and Simon Kenton down the stretch before the postseason begins.
6. Notre Dame (12-3, Previous Ranking: 5) — The Pandas have won four straight and it could stretch to seven before they play Cooper on Saturday.
7. Campbell County (11-5, Previous Ranking: 7) — A win over Scott on Tuesday means they get the No. 1 seed for the 37th District tournament and a berth into the 10th Region tournament.
8. Bishop Brossart (14-5, Previous Ranking: 8) — Put up a solid showing at the All “A” state tournament, where they came up just short to runner-up Bethlehem in the semifinals. With a loss to Campbell County in district play, they’ll be rooting for Scott this week as it could set up a potential three-way tie for the top spot in the district if Scott beats Campbell and Brossart beats Scott on Feb. 12.
9. Scott (11-6, Previous Ranking: 9) — See above. Scott controls their own destiny for a No. 1 seed in the 37th District tournament if they can beat Campbell County on Tuesday and Brossart on Feb. 12.
10. Walton-Verona (12-6, Previous Ranking: 10) — A tough first round draw at the All “A” put them up against the eventual champion, Danville Christian. A big one with Simon Kenton on Monday for 32nd District seeding implications.
Next up: Newport Central Catholic, Ryle