As we dig deep into the middle part of the high school basketball schedule, much has changed in the 15th region. Apart from two or three of our top pre season teams holding strong at top, the rest of the region has been a mixed bag. Pre season number one Johnson Central has stayed the course coming off of last seasons trip to Rupp. Behind D-1 prospect Shane Hall, The Golden Eagles have posted a 8-6 mark to this point with most of their losses coming out of region. As far as the region goes the only real blemish on their record is their 41-45 loss on the road at Sheldon Clark, so don't let the record fool you. With losses to 14th Region power Perry County Central, as well as losses to South Oldham, Christian Academy of Louisville, South Oldham, and John Hardin.

 

You can argue the most impressive team so far has been Junior Newsomes Betsy Layne Bobcats who enter the 15th Region All-A with a 10-3 mark. They have recorded wins over Highlands and a host of other 15th region opponents. They have an early loss to Prestonsburg and a couple losses to Louisville schools, Central and Louisville Collegiate. Dylon Meade and Peyton Case have been phenominal thus far for the Bobcats scoring 12.6 and 14.1 respectably. At this point I would pencil Betsy Layne and Johnson Central at 1A and 1B. They both have most of their losses out of region, but both lost to in region opponents in Prestonsburg and Sheldon Clark.

 

The rest of the region has somewhat been a mess, all over the place. Preseason top 5 Belfry looks good at 6-2, but have recorded most of their wins against WV opponents, with losses to Mingo Central (WV) and Betsy Layne. Sheldon Clark is the biggest surprise after losing their coach and star player Justin Johnson. Right now they would be the third team in our 15th Region Rankings, and with a win over Johnson Central you could argue that they should be number one. Sheldon Clark sits at 7-4 right now with all of their losses coming out of region (North Oldham, Ashland Blazer, Boyd County, Henderson County). Pikeville and East Ridge can somewhat be considered disappointments up until this point, and both will be trying to knock each other out of a regional tournament birth in the 59th district. Pikeville (6-7) got off to a hot start, but have cooled recently with in region losses to Betsy Layne and Magoffin County, as well as out of state losses. They have the talent to make a run, so we'll see what happens. The young East Ridge team has took their lumps and stands at 7-6 with losses to Sheldon Clark, Betsy Layne, and Morgan County out of the 16th. Shelby Valley and Paintsville take winning records into the All-A at 7-6 and 6-4 respectively. Prestonsburg (with a win over Betsy Layne) is sitting at .500 (6-6).

 

 

Predictably to this point the region is still wide open, just one of the things that makes the 15th Region so fun to watch. Heading into the All-A classic, we should get a better feel of who are the pretenders and who are the contenders. We will have the 15th Region All-A preview shortly.

15th Region Top 10 Rankings

 

1. Johnson Central

2. Betsy Layne

3. Sheldon Clark

4. Shelby Valley

5. Belfry

6. Paintsville

7. Pikeville

8. East Ridge

9. Prestonsburg

10. Lawerence County

Johnson Central did not have the holiday tourney success that I thought they would.

^ Agreed.

Gotta remember Hall has been hurt. Sat most of the holidays and only played the last 12 minutes of the Sheldon Clark game.

With the All "A" regional starting tomorrow night (and all but three region schools - Johnson Central, Belfry, Pike County Central - playing in it), we might have a little better feel for the pecking order in this region by this time next week.

With the All "A" regional starting tomorrow night (and all but three region schools - Johnson Central, Belfry, Pike County Central - playing in it), we might have a little better feel for the pecking order in this region by this time next week.

 

:thumb:

Johnson Central did not have the holiday tourney success that I thought they would.

 

^ Agreed.

 

Gotta remember Hall has been hurt. Sat most of the holidays and only played the last 12 minutes of the Sheldon Clark game.

 

 

 

I know JC has been a little banged up, but I was hoping they would hold their own down state. For the first time in a while the 15th region has a team with a player who has the talent to match up with some of the d1 kids down state, hated to see them miss their opportunity to get a couple big wins. I know a lot of that has to do with Hall's injury, if he was 100% may be a different story, but still disheartening to see them get beat like that in a tourney I was hoping they would fair well in.

I know JC has been a little banged up, but I was hoping they would hold their own down state. For the first time in a while the 15th region has a team with a player who has the talent to match up with some of the d1 kids down state, hated to see them miss their opportunity to get a couple big wins. I know a lot of that has to do with Hall's injury, if he was 100% may be a different story, but still disheartening to see them get beat like that in a tourney I was hoping they would fair well in.

 

What injury does Hall have and when did he get it? I really like Gullett. Just a Sophomore....going to be a good one.

What injury does Hall have and when did he get it? I really like Gullett. Just a Sophomore....going to be a good one.

 

A high ankle sprain that just is not getting better. He is taking off til it gets better

A high ankle sprain that just is not getting better. He is taking off til it gets better

 

When did this happen?

When did this happen?

 

He's been dealing with it most of the season thus far I'm wanting to say......