Oak Hills came close to ending Mason's reign as Enquirer girls basketball city poll champion last season. The Highlanders begin this season ranked No.1 by local coaches.

DIVISION I

1. Oak Hills (5) 128   2. St. Ursula (3) 112   3. Mercy (3) 102   4. Fairfield (3) 97   5. Princeton (1) 83   6. Sycamore 74   7. Mt. Notre Dame 51   8. Seton 60   9. Harrison 28   10. Lakota West 19   Others: Mason 18, Ursuline 12, Colerain 11, McAuley 9, Hughes 8, Amelia 3, Anderson 2, Glen Este 2, Winton Woods 1, Lakota East 1.

DIVISIONS II-IV

1. McNicholas (5) 133   2. Purcell Marian (4) 116   3. Madeira (1) 98   4. Wyoming (1) 89   5. Seven Hills 56   6. Mariemont 54   7. Roger Bacon 45   8. Badin 37   9. North College Hill (1) 35   9. Eastern Brown (2) 35   9. Indian Hill 35   Others: Springboro (1) 20, Kings 18, Little Miami 16, CHCA 13, New Richmond 9, Goshen 8, Georgetown 6, Hillsboro 5, Loveland 2, Landmark Christian 2, Norwood 2.

        McNicholas, the defending Division II state champion, is No.1 in the Enquirer's Divisions II-IV poll.

        Mason dominated the scene in recent years, including a state title in the 1999-2000 season. With two-time Ms. Basketball Michelle Munoz having graduated, Mason is unranked and Oak Hills leads a pack of contenders.

        “It's certainly up for grabs,” Oak Hills coach Jan Wilking said. “There are five or six teams that could be sitting up where we are.”

        Oak Hills finished one point behind Mason in the final Enquirer area poll of 2000-01. The Highlanders finished 20-3 and lost in the district final to Chaminade-Julienne, the eventual state runner-up.

        Three starters return for Oak Hills, including point guard Danielle Dietrich, a returning Enquirer first-team choice. Post players Michelle Holmes and Vanessa Laug, both 6-feet-2, also return.

        For McNicholas, coach Rob Heise returns three starters from last year's 22-6 state champs. The Rockets will be strong inside with Kim Breving (5-11), Lynn Oberschmidt (5-10) and Betsey Clark (5-9). Post player Ashley Clark and point guard Kendra Hornschemeier have graduated.

        “The expectations are high because of last year,” Heise said.

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Cincinnati Hills League
Fort Ancient Valley Conference Cardinal Division
Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye Division
Girls Greater Cincinnati League Scarlet Division
Girls Greater Cincinnati League Gray Division
Greater Miami Conference
Independents and others
Miami Valley Conference
Mid-Miami League South Division
Mid-Miami League North Division
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Southern Buckeye Conference American Division
Southern Buckeye Conference National Division
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