The postseason is officially here which means rankings can now be thrown out the window.
But before they do, here’s one last final top 10 for Northern Kentucky!
It should be quite the entertainment over the next couple of weeks, the 9th Region in boys and girls is as competitive as it has been in recent memory while Simon Kenton has a legitimate chance to pull off the double in the 8th Region while Campbell County will put quite the scare into the opponent in the 10th Region.
Here is the final top 10 of the season, thanks again to Crown Pointe Remodeling for sponsoring this and to you for reading it.
Enjoy the postseason!
Boys
- Cooper (18-5, Previous Ranking: 1) — They’ve been to the 9th Region title game the past two seasons, is this the year they break through and get the program’s second region title in program history?
2. Covington Catholic (21-8, Previous Ranking: 2) — The Colonels are once again in the 9th Region title mix. With the trio of Athens McGillis, Cash Harney and Donovan Bradshaw, anything is possible.
3. Lloyd Memorial (22-6, Previous Ranking: 3) — Is this the year they finally cut the nets down and win a 9th Region title?
4. Simon Kenton (22-6, Previous Ranking: 4) — They joined the 8th Region in the 2005-06 season and have been to the 8th Region title game four times in that time, coming up empty in each. Is this the year they finally get it done at Henry County?
5. Ryle (15-11, Previous Ranking: 6) — The elimination game of the week for district tournaments has to be Ryle and Conner right? A region contender will be going home early. I give Ryle the nod this time around.
6. Conner (18-9, Previous Ranking: 5) — Nothing against the Cougars, they’ve had a great season in their first year under Nate Browning, but I just feel Ryle is playing better down the stretch. I’ve been wrong before…
7. Newport (16-10, Previous Ranking: 7) — Have the Wildcats been playing opossum all year? Do they turn it on and win a third straight region title? They certainly have the pieces to do so.
8. Walton-Verona (19-11, Previous Ranking: 10) — Definitely a team no one wants to see right now in the 8th Region tournament, assuming they get past Grant County in the opening round of the 32nd District tournament.
9. Campbell County (20-9, Previous Ranking: 8) — The Camels will have to take long bus rides to Montgomery County in order to win a 10th Region tournament.
10. Dixie Heights (20-8, Previous Ranking: 9) — If the Colonels get past St. Henry in the opening round of the 34th District tournament, Lloyd Memorial will most likely be there waiting for them. The two went to overtime last year to decide the district champ.
Next up: Holy Cross, Highlands, Beechwood
Girls
- Cooper (20-5, Previous Ranking: 1) — Dating back to 1975 when the KHSAA record books were kept for high school girls basketball, no 9th Region team has ever won four straight regional titles. Can Cooper be the first?
2. Simon Kenton (22-4, Previous Ranking: 2) — The Lady Pioneers were a unanimous selection to win the 8th Region by the 16 members who do the statewide media poll.
3. Dixie Heights (18-8, Previous Ranking: 4) — A big win to close out the regular season against top five Franklin County shows the Colonels are a legit threat to win the region.
4. Notre Dame (19-7, Previous Ranking: 3) — Notre Dame’s last region title came in 2013, can they end the drought?
5. Holy Cross (24-6, Previous Ranking: 5) — The must watch district championship (assuming Holy Cross gets past Beechwood) will be the 35th District championship between Holy Cross and Notre Dame. The loser is who no one will want to face in the first round of the region tournament.
6. Campbell County (17-8, Previous Ranking: 6) — With a berth already into the 10th Region tournament, no pressure on the Camels this week. They’ll be the host for the 10th Region tournament as well.
7. Highlands (19-8, Previous Ranking: 7) — Their last region final appearance came in 2013, last region title was in 2001. Another team capable of ending a long drought.
8. Bishop Brossart (22-7, Previous Ranking: 8) — Probably the must watch district tournament elimination game of the week comes Monday night when Bishop Brossart takes on Scott for the right to the 37th District championship. Loser’s season ends.
9. Walton-Verona (20-9, Previous Ranking: 9) — Went 7-1 down the stretch including a win over Grant County, 60-35, their opponent on Monday night in the 32nd District tournament semifinals.
10. Newport Central Catholic (15-15, Previous Ranking: 10) — They handled Bellevue twice during the regular season. But you know what they say about having to beat a team a third time in a season…
Next up: Ryle, Scott