After a slow start to the 15th region season, we are now off and running. While the top team from our preseason rankings remains at the top, some surprises are already starting to emerge. Only a couple weeks into the season the region has already been shaken up. It's shaping up to be a very interesting season in the 15th, much like last year there's a lot of parity and come February it can be anyones to lose.

 

Week 3 Top 10 Team Rankings

 

 

1.) Johnson Central (3-0)

2.) Pikeville (5-1)

3.) Shelby Valley (3-0)

4.) Sheldon Clark (3-0)

5.) Belfry (0-0)

6.) Prestonsburg (2-1)

7.) Betsy Layne (3-1)

8.) Paintsville (2-1)

9.) East Ridge (3-3)

10.) Pike County Central (2-1)

11.) Maggoffin County (0-2)

12.) Allen Central (2-3)

13.) Lawerence County (1-3)

14.) South Floyd (0-3)

15.) Phelps (0-4)

16.) Piarist (1-4)

One may ask why a team like Pikeville can come in at number two in the rankings over unbeatens such as Sheldon Clark and Pre-Season number two Shelby Valley. One may also ask how an idle team like Belfry can still be top five over teams who have already been winning games. The answers to both are pretty simple, Pikeville is good and Belfry still hasn't proved that their not. Until Belfry not only play's but loses games, they will keep their top 5 ranking, of course we get to find out tomorrow as they play their season opener against Jenkins (14th Region) on the road. Pikeville on the otherhand has been a surprise. After a big ruling on the Ray Kasongo appeal, the Panthers are primed to have a great season. Not only did that add Ray Kasongo, but the ruling also brought them his brother 6'6'' Ruben Kasongo as well. Although the younger Kasongo may not have a high impact, his size alone will do great for depth and for practice. With Ethan Rowe and Jacob Hamilton, Pikeville has the talent to make a serious run in the tournament. Their only loss so far has came to out of state Washington PA. At this stage with only the out of state loss, I had to give Pikeville a major bump in the rankings.

 

 

Sheldon Clark is another fast riser early in the season. It was my mistake to discredit the Cardinals after losing not only their star player in Justin Johnson, but their coach as well. Seems I may have wrote them off too soon as the Cardinals have very good size and albeit young, look to have what it takes to remain a top 5 team this season.

 

Nothing against Shelby Valley for taking them out of the 2 spot without even losing, but with Pikeville playing and winning more games I had to jump them in the rankings. Pikeville also boasts the most talent now that Kasongo is eligible, but Belter and the young Wildcats are no slouches. If they continue their winning ways they should remain a top 3 team.

 

After losing to Prestonsburg 67-61, I felt the need to slot Betsy Layne right behind the Blackcats at #6 & #7 respectively.

 

Paintsville is 2-1 after losing to Jenkins, Pike Central's young team is off to a 2-1 start, and the Running Rebels of Allen Central are off to a 2-3 mark to start the season.

 

 

 

The rest of the region has started pretty slow with several teams not putting any W's in the win column, Lawerence County is at the top of this tier with their one win.

Good job.