? ? St. Xavier begins the season at No. 1 in the poll released this morning via Jason Frakes. The Louisville paper compiled 95 ballots for its first Top 25 listing.

? Rank. School (1st place ballots)

1. St. Xavier (61)

2. Frederick Douglass (9)

3. Covington Catholic (12)

4. George Rogers Clark (3)

5. Madison Central (1)

6. North Laurel 

7. Bryan Station (1)

8. Ballard (6)

9. Male

10. Daviess County 

11. Caverna 

12. North Oldham 

13. Warren Central 

14. Jeffersontown (1)

15. Trinity 

16. Eastern

17. Montgomery County 

18. Bowling Green 

19. Boyd County 

20. Lexington Catholic 

21. Marshall County 

22. Adair County 

23. Lyon County 

24. Butler 

25. Green County 

? courier-journal.com/kentucky-high-school-basketball-rankings-2025-26-khsaa-preseason-top-25-poll-boys

H/T @Tigerpride94 for forwarding it in the 7th Region Preview thread ~

? bluegrasspreps.com/7th-region-boys-basketball-preview

Underscores how low the perception of the 9th is, only one in the top 25 pre-season.  

If Bowling Green is anywhere near the top 25 this year, then I will consider it to be the best coaching job ever by D.G. Sherrill.  

1 hour ago, The Double Deuce said:

Underscores how low the perception of the 9th is, only one in the top 25 pre-season.  

You may be right. Conversely, it may indicate how big of a gap the coaches think there is between the third ranked team here and the remainder of the 9th. 

As I expected, recognition got spread around. 100+ coaches not responding, not great.

R1 21. Marshall County 

R2 23. Lyon County 

R3 10. Daviess County 

R4 13. Warren Central, 18. Bowling Green 

R5 11. Caverna, 22. Adair County, 25. Green County 

R6 14. Jeffersontown (1), 24. Butler

R7 1. St. Xavier (61), 8. Ballard (6), 9. Male, 16. Eastern

R8 12. North Oldham 

R9 3. Covington Catholic (12)

R10 4. George Rogers Clark (3), 17. Montgomery County 

R11 2. Frederick Douglass (9), 5. Madison Central (1), 7. Bryan Station (1), 20. Lexington Catholic 

R12 na

R13 6. North Laurel 

R14 na

R15 na

R16 19. Boyd County 

What does that say about the coaches that didn't vote? Is it better to not vote if you're uninformed?

Historically the 9th region has been snubbed on these pre season rankings from the Courier Journal. Surprised only one team is in it but not shocked. I know Cooper, Newport and even Lloyd have gotten love the last few years but overall and historically the 9th is overlooked. Could easily make an argument for Holy Cross and/or Highlands to be in the top 25 to start the season with what they each have coming back.

Everyone's "go to" narrative to start the season is how big "the gap" is between Cov Cath and everyone else in the 9th (and they may be right). Cov Cath will always get the love and they should. But I think people are defaulting to it because they see people saying it over and over already so it's easy to agree. Can't wait to watch the season actually play out.

2 hours ago, Baseball Nut 24 said:

Historically the 9th region has been snubbed on these pre season rankings from the Courier Journal. Surprised only one team is in it but not shocked. I know Cooper, Newport and even Lloyd have gotten love the last few years but overall and historically the 9th is overlooked. Could easily make an argument for Holy Cross and/or Highlands to be in the top 25 to start the season with what they each have coming back.

Everyone's "go to" narrative to start the season is how big "the gap" is between Cov Cath and everyone else in the 9th (and they may be right). Cov Cath will always get the love and they should. But I think people are defaulting to it because they see people saying it over and over already so it's easy to agree. Can't wait to watch the season actually play out.

The middle road, and a likely scenario.

3 hours ago, Baseball Nut 24 said:

Historically the 9th region has been snubbed on these pre season rankings from the Courier Journal. Surprised only one team is in it but not shocked. I know Cooper, Newport and even Lloyd have gotten love the last few years but overall and historically the 9th is overlooked. Could easily make an argument for Holy Cross and/or Highlands to be in the top 25 to start the season with what they each have coming back.

Everyone's "go to" narrative to start the season is how big "the gap" is between Cov Cath and everyone else in the 9th (and they may be right). Cov Cath will always get the love and they should. But I think people are defaulting to it because they see people saying it over and over already so it's easy to agree. Can't wait to watch the season actually play out.

Couldn't agree more. There are not 25 teams better than the top of the 9th region year in and year out.

As expected the 5th seems to be pretty loaded this year and North Hardin was not even in the top 25! With their two recent transfers they may be the best and if not 2nd best team in the 5th! 

Caverna, Adair, Green and North Hardin all top 20 capable talent! 

North Oldham will be in the top 5 by January.

Edited November 19, 2025Nov 19 by theguru

McCracken County will be the top team in Region 1 with Woodfork transferring over the summer.

On 11/18/2025 at 12:26 PM, IndianAlum81 said:

As expected the 5th seems to be pretty loaded this year and North Hardin was not even in the top 25! With their two recent transfers they may be the best and if not 2nd best team in the 5th! 

Caverna, Adair, Green and North Hardin all top 20 capable talent! 

Really don't think Green Co will be as good as everyone thinks. Everything would have to fall into place for that to happen. 

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