article BluegrassPreps.com 14th Region Week 1

1) Hazard (3-0): The Bulldogs remain atop of the region after a strong start to the season. Hazard cruised in all three of their season opening games. Defeating Martin County 80-63, Floyd Central 80-55 and Bryan Station 57-46. Hazard will open up with Phelps in the first round of the WYMT Mountain Classic this week. With the season just beginning, this could be where we see just what the Bulldogs are made of, especially in the same tournament as Knott County Central, Knox Central and Clay County.

2) Knott County Central (1-1): The Patriots jump the leap to the #2 ranking this week. Knott County Central begin last week with a disappointing 72-67 loss to Prestonsburg but the Patriots would bounce back and outlast Estill County in a thriller 45-38. Knott County Central maybe hosting the WYMT Mountain Classic but they have a tough road to go if they wanna win it and that starts with Knox Central.

3) Perry County Central (2-1): It's not often that you see two district foes starting the season off against eachother but that's what we have here with Perry County Central. The Commodores opened the season up against Leslie County and they wouldn't have an issue with the Eagles as they would roll to an 90-73 victory. Perry County Central would split their next two games, falling 83-71 to Harlan County but defeating Paintsville by nearly the same score, 80-73. Perry County Central will travel to Cordia on Tuesday before returning home on Saturday hosting Anderson County.

4) Wolfe County (2-1): The Wolves are off to a hot start at 2-0. Those two wins came in great fashion as they edged out Estill County 56-53 as the Engineers would miss a three at the buzzer that would have tied it. Wolfe County would hit the road to Letcher County Central where they would find themselves fighting back from double digits twice to come out on top 70-63. Letcher Central was up 12 in the 4Q before the Wolfe County run that would seal the deal. Can Wolfe County keep it up this week? 12/10 at Powell County, 12/12 at Jackson City and 12/14 vs. Trigg County (at Breathitt County).

5) Cordia (1-2): It was a rough start to the season for Denny Fugate and the Cordia Lions. The Lions made the long trip from Hindmand to Berea to take on Madison Southern where the Eagles would prevail 66-52. Cordia would pick up their second loss on the season by falling to Shelby Valley 71-54. Corida would bounce back and finally get one in the win column on Saturday by edging out Pikeville 71-70. The Lions have two big games this week, both at home hosting Perry County Central and district foe, Letcher County Central.

6) Estill County (0-2): What was thought to be (and still very well could end up being) an exciting season for Estill County basketball, it didn't start out that way as Estill County would fall in their first two games of the season, both less than 8 points. Falling 56-53 to Wolfe County and 45-38 to Knott County Central. Estill County has three big games this week, 12/10 at Madison Southern, 12/13 vs Bell County and 12/14 vs. Bluegrass United (Lexington KY) (at Berea). Can they get on track this week?

7) Breathitt County (1-1): The Bobcats leap frogged Buckhorn this week, despite Buckhorn being 2-1 on the season. The Bobcats fell in their season opener at home to Harlan County 61-53 but would bounce back in a big way as they cruised past Jackson City 84-58. Would that win be the start they would need to get going? This week is gonna be rough for the Bobcats. 12/10 at Letcher County Central, 12/14 vs. Christian Academy-Louisville.

8) Buckhorn (2-1): The Wildcats got off to a good start winning two of their first three games to start the season. The Wildcats would go on the road and defeat both Lee County 83-46 and Model 58-49 but would fall and fall hard to Lexington Christian Academy 84-44. This is a big exciting week for the Wildcats as they will host Leslie County on Tuesday and the exciting part, traveling to Knightstown Indiana to participate in the Hoosier Gym Classic at the original location from the movie "Hoosiers" as they take on Robertson County.

9) Letcher County Central (0-2): No movement from the Cougars this week as they begin the season 0-2. Falling 70-63 on their own home court to Wolfe County and 78-64 to Prestonsburg (at Pike County Central). Letcher County Central will host Breathitt County on Tuesday before traveling to both Cordia (Thursday) and Belfry (Friday)?

10) Powell County (1-1): The Pirates opened up the season on their own home court but it wouldn't be the opening they would want as they would get crushed by Tates Creek 85-50. Powell County hit the road on Friday, where they would defeat Leslie County 64-63 in a thriller. Pirates will host Wolfe County on Tuesday before traveling to Jackson County (Friday PRTC Classic) and Menifee County (Saturday).

11) Leslie County (0--2): The Eagles are off to a rough start losing both of their opening season games, 90-73 to district foe, Perry County Central and 64-63 to Powell County on their own home court.

12) Jackson City (2-1): The Tigers have picked up 2 wins in their first three games for the first time since 2017 where they started the season 3-0. Jackson City has cruised past both June Buchanan 82-40 and Walden 64-49.

13) Owsley County (1-0): Owsley County cruised past June Buchanan 73-43 to open up the season.

14) Lee County (1-3): The Bobcats lone win came against Cumberland Homeschool (Corbin) 95-72 in the Berea Tip-Off Classic. First time in awhile that the Bobcats have been out of the 15th spot.

15) June Buchanan (0-2): The Crusaders have been blown out in their two opening games, both by 30+ points. That's not a good start to the season.

Good list - looks right to be for now / I was really shocked to see the score in the LCA/Buckhorn game, not sure what happened but the 'Horn is a solid team with a good coach, they will respond I'm sure.

I look for Breathitt in the next several weeks to move up. They are deep at every position and have a solid backcourt in freshman Luke Bellamy and Jack Fugate, which I believe is one of the most underrated guards in the region. Their front court is also loaded with sophomore Jaylan Turner and Brandon Slaughter. Both are super athletes! Thrown into the mix, when Braxton O’Hair is driving the lane, he’s almost impossible to stop and you got one heck of a 14th region high school team.

Bump.