The postseason is right around the corner for high school basketball, but there are plenty of big upcoming regular-season games.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association boys basketball tournament draws from Divisions III through VII are this Sunday, Feb. 15. For Divisions I and II, they are Sunday, Feb. 22.
In Northern Kentucky, there are district seeding games still left to play before the district tournaments, which begin the week of Feb. 23.
Here are the latest Greater Cincinnati boys basketball power rankings.
1. Lakota West Firebirds (18-1)
The Firebirds passed their biggest test against a Cincinnati team so far this season, edging Princeton 58-53 in a back-and-forth battle in what was a potential postseason preview. As The Enquirer reported that night, they were able to regroup after squandering an early 18-0 lead and falling behind by 2 points in the fourth quarter. West, which moved up to No. 15 in the national MaxPreps rankings, is on the doorstep of winning its first outright Greater Miami Conference championship in 20 years.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Colerain (Feb. 13), at Sycamore (Feb. 17).
2. Covington Catholic Colonels (23-1)
The Colonels continue to pass Ninth Region tests with flying colors, beating Ryle 88-67 and district foe Holy Cross 80-45. The Holy Cross win secured the No. 1 seed in the 35th District Tournament for the Colonels, who moved atop the Kentucky statewide media poll.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Dixie Heights (Feb. 13), at Great Crossing (Feb. 14), at Moeller (Feb. 17).
3. Princeton Vikings (15-2)
The Vikings showed a lot of moxie against Lakota West. They easily could have folded after trailing 18-0 late in the first quarter, but they almost won it, which should give them things to improve on entering the postseason. They rebounded from the loss by beating a tough Trotwood-Madison team by 15.
Upcoming schedule: at Oak Hills (Feb. 13), vs. Lakota East (Feb. 17).
4. Winton Woods Warriors (16-0)
The Warriors beat Milford by 18 in league play then shut down a potent Lakota East squad, 44-25. Winton Woods has outscored foes by an average of 17 points, 56-39.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Anderson (Feb. 13), at Indianapolis Cathedral (Feb. 14), vs. Walnut Hills (Feb. 17).
5. Wyoming Cowboys (18-2)
The Cowboys went 0-2 against the Greater Catholic League-South to take their first two defeats of the season, losing 46-44 to St. Xavier in overtime, then by 11 at Elder, 57-46. Wyoming will look to regroup and finish the regular season strong with two league games.
Upcoming schedule: at Deer Park (Feb. 13), at Finneytown (Feb. 17).
6. Williamsburg Wildcats (18-0)
The Wildcats stayed unbeaten by shutting down fellow Division V foe Madeira, 45-26. They will have two final league games before playing two tough non-league foes in Fayetteville-Perry and Clark Montessori.
Upcoming schedule: at East Clinton (Feb. 11), at Clermont Northeastern (Feb. 13), vs. Fayetteville-Perry (Feb. 17).
7. Badin Rams (16-2)
The Rams have now won 11 straight after knocking off Chaminade-Julienne in league play, 53-37. They can clinch a tie for the Greater Catholic League-Coed title by beating Fenwick this week, then have tough non-league tests before the postseason against Northwest and La Salle.
Upcoming schedule: at Fenwick (Feb. 13), at Northwest (Feb. 17).
8. Moeller Crusaders (15-3)
The Crusaders have rolled through their last three games, winning by an average of 35 points and allowing only 31 points per game. They are gearing up to face St. Xavier for the Greater Catholic League-South title, then have three tough non-league games after that.
Upcoming schedule: at St. Xavier (Feb. 13), vs. Covington Catholic (Feb. 17).
9. St. Xavier Bombers (14-5)
The Bombers have won five straight with defense. They shut down Wyoming, handing the Cowboys their first loss with a 46-44 overtime win, then put the clamps on fast-paced Aiken for a 44-38 victory. Aiken averages 72 points per game and Wyoming 66. They will need that defense when they host Moeller for the GCL-South title. The first one to 30 may win it.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Moeller (Feb. 13).
10. Walnut Hills Eagles (13-4)
The Eagles are one of the hottest teams in Cincinnati, winning nine straight, including a 36-35 thriller against Summit Country Day. They have allowed under 40 points in five of their last six games.
Upcoming schedule: vs. Loveland (Feb. 13), at Withrow (Feb. 14), at Winton Woods (Feb. 17).
On the radar
Batavia (13-4), Beechwood (18-7), Campbell County (17-8), Dixie Heights (16-7) Edgewood (13-5), Goshen (17-3), Highlands (21-4), Holy Cross (17-7), Hughes (16-5), La Salle (14-5), Lloyd Memorial (17-4), Mason (14-5), MVCA (16-4), Monroe (17-3), Newport (16-7), North College Hill (16-3), Northwest (13-5), Oak Hills (13-6), Oyler (15-5), Ryle (15-7), South Dearborn (12-4), Taft (13-5), Waynesville (16-2).
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Moeller, St. Xavier return to top 10 power rankings ahead of matchup
Reporting by James Weber, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
