By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Four teams that haven’t enjoyed much success in the 9th Region boys basketball tournament over the last 10 years are among the eight contenders in this year’s bracket.
Pairings for the regional tournament were decided Saturday with first-round games scheduled on Monday and Tuesday at Northern Kentucky University’s BB&T Arena.
Beechwood is making its first appearance in the regional tournament since 2009 when the Tigers lost in the opening round. Three other teams — Highlands, Conner and St. Henry — have each posted just one regional tournament victory over the last 10 years and have a combined record of 3-14 during that stretch.
No one will be surprised if Beechwood gets its first regional tournament victory since 1968 in the opening game against Dixie Heights at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The Tigers have a best-ever 27-5 record that includes an 87-67 win over Dixie Heights in December. They also beat defending regional and state champion Covington Catholic twice this season.
The other first-round game on Monday is Highlands vs. Cooper at 8 p.m. This is the first time that Highlands has made the tournament since 2014 and the Bluebirds haven’t won a first-round game since 2009.
The match-ups on Tuesday are Newport vs. Conner at 6:30 p.m. and St. Henry vs. CovCath at 8 p.m. Over the last 10 years, St. Henry compiled a 1-8 record in regional tournament games and Conner went 1-2.
The 9th Region girls tournament begins Wednesday at BB&T Arena. Six of the eight teams that were in last year’s bracket made it back, including defending champion Ryle.
The opening games on Wednesday will be Highlands vs. Holy Cross at 6:30 p.m. and Dixie Heights vs. Conner at 8 p.m. The first-round will continue on Thursday with Ryle vs. Ludlow at 6:30 p.m. and Notre Dame vs. Newport Central Catholic at 8 p.m.
Ludlow is making its first regional tournament appearance since 2009 as 34th District runner-up. Notre Dame won the 35th District championship and made it to the regional for the first time since 2014 with four underclassmen in the starting lineup.
Conner, Ryle and Highlands are all ranked among the state’s top 10 teams. Ryle won its first 9th Region championship last year. Conner hasn’t taken the title since 2008 and the last time Highlands won it was 2001.
Internet broadcasts of all the 9th Region boys and girls tournament games will be on 859 Sports Radio, a free service that can be accessed on computers and mobile devices.
9TH REGION BOYS AT BB&T ARENA
Monday
Beechwood (27-5) vs. Dixie Heights (11-19), 6:30 p.m.
Cooper (24-5) vs. Highlands (20-11), 8 p.m.
Tuesday
Newport (24-8) vs. Conner (16-12), 6:30 p.m.
St. Henry (15-12) vs. Covington Catholic (24-7), 8 p.m.
Friday
Semifinal games, 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7:30 p.m.
9TH REGION GIRLS AT BB&T ARENA
Wednesday
Highlands (28-4) vs. Holy Cross (22-9), 6:30 p.m.
Dixie Heights (20-10) vs. Conner (29-2), 8 p.m.
Thursday
Ryle (26-5) vs. Ludlow (22-10), 6:30 p.m.
Notre Dame (19-12) vs. Newport Central Catholic (18-10), 8 p.m.
Saturday
Semifinal games, noon and 1:30 p.m.
Monday
Championship game, 7:30 p.m.
8TH REGION BOYS AT HENRY COUNTY H.S.
Monday
Collins (23-8) vs. Oldham County (18-13), 6:30 p.m.
Simon Kenton (18-10) vs. Gallatin County (26-5), 8 p.m.
Tuesday
Walton-Verona (24-6) vs. Henry County (12-18), 6:30 p.m.
South Oldham (21-9) vs. Spencer County (20-11), 8 p.m.
Friday
Semifinal games, 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
8TH REGION GIRLS AT OWEN COUNTY H.S.
Wednesday
Simon Kenton (19-11) vs. Owen County (21-6), 6:30 p.m.
Anderson County (26-6) vs. Oldham County (18-14), 8 p.m.
Thursday
Walton-Verona (24-8) vs. Gallatin County (18-13), 6:30 p.m.
South Oldham (23-7) vs. Collins (20-12), 8 p.m.
Monday
Semifinal games, 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
10TH REGION BOYS AT MASON COUNTY FIELDHOUSE
Monday
Campbell County (26-4) vs. Robertson County (22-8), 6 p.m.
Mason County (14-15) vs. Bourbon County (21-10), 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Harrison County (11-18) vs. Scott (18-11), 6 p.m.
George Rogers Clark (24-7) vs. Bracken County (14-17), 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Semifinal games, 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
10TH REGION GIRLS AT MONTGOMERY COUNTY H.S.
Wednesday
Harrison County (24-7) vs. Bourbon County (21-11), 6 p.m.
Mason County (18-12) vs. Brossart (20-10), 7:45 p.m.
Thursday
Scott (22-10) vs. Nicholas County (14-15), 6 p.m.
George Rogers Clark (21-10) vs. St. Patrick (12-15), 7:45 p.m.
Monday
Semifinal games, 6 and 7:45 p.m.
Tuesday
Championship game, 7 p.m.