Beechwood enters the 2026-27 boys basketball season ranked fourth in Northern Kentucky, with junior Dylan Topmiller carrying his first Division I offer into the campaign.

The Northern Kentucky Boys Basketball Coaches Association (NKBBCA) released its preseason top 10 on Thursday, Sept. 24, as first reported by LINK nky. Coaches across the region voted on the poll, which slots two area schools in the top 10: Beechwood at No. 4 and Dixie Heights at No. 8.

Topmiller, a standout entering his junior year at the Fort Mitchell school, picked up the Eastern Illinois offer during the offseason. He headlines a Tigers squad competing in Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Class 2A, District 5.

Dixie Heights, which fell to Covington Catholic 71-41 in last season's Ninth Region tournament quarterfinals, checks in at No. 8. The Colonels will look to climb higher when games begin in late November.

Reigning Ninth Region champion Covington Catholic holds the top spot after going 31-2 last season and capturing the region title. Newport sits at No. 2, boosted by three incoming transfers, and Ryle rounds out the top three after finishing as Ninth Region runner-up.

The rest of the top 10: Highlands at No. 5, Simon Kenton at No. 6, Campbell County at No. 7, Conner at No. 9 and Lloyd Memorial at No. 10.

The KHSAA basketball season officially opens Oct. 15, with the first regular-season games set for Nov. 30. The NKBBCA plans to release its top 10 individual players list the week of Sept. 28, according to the report.