I know you’ve been waiting on the edge of your seats for the first LINK nky Top 10 basketball poll of the season.

Just a reminder this is for teams in our coverage area (Boone, Campbell and Kenton County) which consist of teams from the 8th, 9th and 10th Region.

Now that we have a full month of body of work, it’s time to break things down on who has been solid in the first month of the season.

How much fun are the next two months going to be? In the boys and girls 9th Region, it really is up for grabs on who will make it to Rupp Arena while some districts will be dogfights to even get out of.

Here goes the first LINK nky Top 10 of the season, powered by Crown Pointe Remodeling.

Boys

1. Covington Catholic (10-2) — The Colonels have won five straight with their lone losses coming to most likely the No. 2 team in the state (Great Crossing) when the statewide media poll makes its debut on Tuesday. The other loss was Ballard, most likely a top 15 team in the state. Through the first 12 games of the season, they’ve faced one of the toughest schedules in the state. They are paced by the trio of Athens McGillis, Cash Harney and Donovan Bradshaw, who are all juniors.

2. Lloyd Memorial (9-3) — Another team who has faced a stacked schedule early on. EJ Walker drives the bus while other complimentary pieces have played well with Anthony Blaackar, Isaiah Sebastian and Jayden Humphrey. They’ve been without Elijah Collins to start the season, who will be another added piece when he returns from injury.

3. Cooper (5-4) — Hard to gauge the Jaguars through the first month of the season as nearly half the rotation was still on the football field until Dec. 7. Then they had to deal with an injury to Jaidan Combs. Combs returned on Saturday after missing the last four games as they look to be back to full strength. Andy Johnson has been phenomenal in the first nine games, 25.1 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game on 54/37/87 shooting splits.

4. Campbell County (10-3) — The Camels have four hitting double figures on a nightly basis. Garyn Jackson does it all, but the big surprise has been freshman Austin Davie, averaging 17.5 points and 7.6 rebounds.

5. Newport (7-6) — Word is that Yamil Rondon will see his first action of the season this week as he’ll be back from injury. After a 3-4 start to the season, the Wildcats have won four of six with wins over Adair County and Butler County, two teams that made the state tournament last year.

6. Conner (10-4) — After a 1-3 start, the Cougars have won 9 of 10. They go pretty deep as Landon Warner, Finn Louden and Chase Huff lead the way.

7. Holy Cross (9-3) — The Indians will be a little shorthanded for a bit as William McElheney is out with an injury, his 12.2 points and 8.7 rebounds a game a big void to fill. Nate Rominger, Luke Arlinghaus and Brady Gabbard are the three to turn to.

8. Simon Kenton (8-4) — The Pioneers have shaken off a four-game losing streak with a six-game winning streak. They’ll be right in the mix for an 8th Region crown.

9. Highlands (10-3) — The Bluebirds have opened some eyes with a strong start and not a senior on the roster. The schedule beefs up a bit now with Newport, Dixie Heights and Covington Catholic looming over the next two weeks.

10. Ryle (4-6) — See Cooper. Another team still trying to figure things out as they awaited football players and injuries. Take away the North Oldham loss by 30, their other five losses have come by a combined 19 points. They’re close.

Next up: Dixie Heights, Beechwood, Walton-Verona

Girls

1. Holy Cross (13-1) — The lone blemish for the Indians is a double-overtime loss at Highlands. They turn the opponent over at a high rate and own a win over Cooper.

2. Cooper (6-3) — No such thing as a rebuild for the Cooper girls. Despite losing four starters, three of them playing Division I basketball, they’re still regarded as not only one of the top teams in the 9th Region, but in the state.

3. Highlands (12-2) — An impressive start with the lone losses to Cooper and Henderson County, two teams that were in the state tournament last year. Looking at their schedule, they can really go on a run of wins in January.

4. Simon Kenton (11-2) — Of the eight players that have played in at least 12 games this season, only one of them is a senior. Brynli Pernell leads the way with 17.1 points per game and hitting 3-pointers at a 39% clip.

5. Notre Dame (8-2) — After a 6-0 start, the Pandas are 2-2 in their last four. They’ll continue to play a loaded schedule, highlighted by Holy Cross on Jan. 14.

6. Campbell County (8-3) — Picked up a huge win over Bishop Brossart in the Crosstown Classic on Saturday. That means if they beat Scott on Jan. 28, they clinch the No. 1 seed in the 37th District and a spot in the 10th Region tournament.

7. Dixie Heights (6-4) — Got a big win on Friday over Notre Dame, they needed it with prior losses to the Pandas, Highlands, Campbell County and Simon Kenton. One of five that’s certainly a contender to win the 9th Region.

8. Bishop Brossart (8-4) — Freshman Kylie Smith has been solid with 15.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Outside of the 18-point loss to Dixie Heights, they’ve lost to Holy Cross twice by a combined four points and then the two-point loss to Campbell County on Saturday.

9. Scott (7-5) — Freshman Nakiah Mejia and Noelle Price spearhead the attack. After a three-point loss to Highlands on Dec. 13, they get a chance for revenge on Wednesday in Fort Thomas.

10. Walton-Verona (9-5) — They are really close. Five losses by a combined 14 points. The favorites to win the 8th Region All “A” tournament, can then really go do some damage at the All “A” state tournament in Owensboro later this month.

Next up: Newport Central Catholic, Ryle, St. Henry

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