Johnson Central (22-11): Johnson Central won the 15^th region championship last year defeating Sheldon Clark 59-48. Johnson Central would go on to the KHSAA State tourney where they would face off against Ballard in the first round. That game didn’t go well as Ballard won 75-54.

 

 

The good thing for the Golden Eagles in 2013/14 is that everyone from last year’s team that went 22-11 and to the KHSAA sweet 16, returns, which should make Johnson Central the heavy favorite to repeat as district and region champions.Schedule:12/6 Mr. Basketball Classic @ Tates Creek (Johnson Central vs. Dixie Heights), 12/10 Perry County Central, 12/12 Sheldon Clark, 12/14 Capital City Rumble @ Frankfort Civic Center (Johnson Central vs. New Philadelphia OH), 12/17 @ Shelby Valley, 12/19-23 King of the Bluegrass @ Fairdale, 12/27-29 Ashland Invitational Tournament, 1/3 Magoffin County, 1/9 @ East Ridge, 1/11 McDonalds Classic @ Lewis County (Johnson Central vs. Mason County), 1/14 Paintsville, 1/18 Lawrence County, 1/21 @ Pikeville, 1/24 @ Sheldon Clark, 1/31 @ Belfry, 2/1 KY Prep Showcase (Johnson Central vs. Breathitt County), 2/3 @ Lawrence County, 2/6 @ Paintsville, 2/7 @ Magoffin County, 2/8 Lee County, 2/11 Pike County Central, 2/13 @ Prestonsburg, 2/14 Ashland, 2/18 Betsy Layne.

 

 

Sheldon Clark (21-11): Sheldon Clark ended their season last year in the regional championship game losing to Johnson Central 59-48. Those two met the previous week to decide the district championship where Johnson Central won 50-49.

 

 

The Cardinals return nearly everyone from last year and look to have a better year in 2013/14.

 

 

Schedule: 12/3 @ West Carter, 12/6 Pike County Central, 12/10 East Ridge, 12/12 @ Johnson Central, 12/14 @ Prestonsburg, 12/17 Pikeville, 12/20 Knott County Central, 12/21 @ Morgan County, 12/26-28 Mountain Schoolboy Classic @ Belfry, 1/2 @ Paintsville, 1/3 15^th Region All “A” Classic @ Expo Center (Sheldon Clark vs. Allen Central), 1/16 Lawrence County, 1/18 Hatfield-McCoy Shootout @ Williamson WV, 1/21 @ Magoffin County, 1/24 Johnson Central, 1/25 Phelps, 1/28 Paintsville, 1/31 @ Pikeville, 2/4 Magoffin County, 2/7 @ Lawrence County, 2/8 Belfry, 2/11 @ Shelby Valley, 2/14 @ Phelps, 2/15 @ June Buchanan, 2/18 Morgan County.

 

Pikeville (22-11): Pikeville made it to the regional tourney where they faced Pike County Central in the first round, Pikeville would defeat Pike County Central 74-58 and then go on to face Johnson Central in the semi-finals to see who would go on to the region championship game. Johnson Central came out on top 61-57. Pikeville won it’s third consecutive 59^th district championship in 2013 where they defeated East Ridge 46-43. Pikeville is also coming off it’s third straight 20-win season, The last time that happened, coaching legend John Bill Trivette was walking the sideline in the late 1950’s.

 

 

Key Losses: Ethan Rowe (22 ppg), Ray Kasongo (15.6 ppg, 10 rpg)

 

 

Key Returnees: Jacob Hamilton (7.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Ryder Johnson (4.7 ppg), Blaine May (5.0 ppg)

If the Panthers do make a run at 20 wins, a lot of people will have to step up. Senior Jacob Hamilton (UK baseball signee) will be a big key.

 

 

Schedule: 12/3 Elliott County, 12/6 @ Lawrence County, 12/7 @ Hazard, 12/10 @ Betsy Layne, 12/12 @ Magoffin County, 12/14 KY Farm Bureau Classic @ Pikeville (Pikeville vs. Oldham County), 12/17 @ Sheldon Clark, 12/20 KY Bank Challenge @ Rowan County (Pikeville vs. Anderson County), 12/26-28 Pikeville Invitational Tournament (Pikeville vs. June Buchanan 12/26), 1/3 Belfry, 1/4 15^th Region All “A” Classic (Pikeville vs. South Floyd), 1/14 @ Shelby Valley, 1/16 @ Letcher County Central, 1/18 Greenup County, 1/21 Johnson Central, 1/23 East Ridge, 1/27 Shelby Valley, 1/28 Allen Central, 1/31 Sheldon Clark, 2/1 @ Pike County Central, 2/4 Prestonsburg, 2/8 @ Harlan County, 2/11 @ East Ridge, 2/15 Pike County Central, 2/18 Magoffin County, 2/20 @ Paintsville

 

 

 

Betsy Layne (19-10): Even though Betsy Layne won the 58^th district championship last season, they came up short in the first round of the 15^th region tourney, losing to Sheldon Clark 64-55.

With several key players returning from last season, 2013/14 looks to be a promising season for the Bobcats of Betsy Layne.

 

 

Key Losses: Garran Newsome (5.9 ppg), Tanner Martin (1.3 ppg), Colby Harmon (0.8 ppg)

 

 

Key Returnees: Dylan Meade (14 ppg), Peyton Case (14 ppg), Dylan Hamilton (7.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg)

 

 

Schedule: 12/3 @ Phelps, 12/5 @ Piarist School, 12/6 @ Magoffin County, 12/10 Pikeville, 12/13 Prestonsburg, 12/14 KY Farm Bureau Classic @ Expo Center (Betsy Layne vs. Louisville Male), 12/17 @ East Ridge, 12/20-22 Raceland Derby City Classic (Betsy Layne vs. Campbell County 12/20), 12/26-28 Pikeville Invitational Tournament (Betsy Layne vs. Morgan County 12/26), 1/7-10 15^th Region All “A” Classic @ Expo Center (Betsy Layne vs. Piarist School 1/7), 1/13 Lawrence County, 1/15 Allen Central, 1/17 @ South Floyd, 1/21 @ Shelby Valley, 1/23 Piarist School, 1/25 @ Prestonsburg, 1/27 @ Pike County Central, 1/31 @ Allen Central, 2/7 South Floyd, 2/11 @ Paintsville, 2/13 Magoffin County, 2/15 @ Belfry, 2/18 @ Johnson Central, 2/20 @ Lawrence County, 2/21 @ Jenkins

 

 

Prestonsburg (14-19): Prestonsburg’s 2012/13 season came to an end last year in the first round of the 15^th regional tournament to Johnson Central 61-52. Prestonsburg had only won 3 of their last 10 games at the end of the season including losing a heart breaking 3 point loss to Betsy Layne 66-63 for the district championship.

With Prestonsburg returning two of their 3 top scorers from last season, Prestonsburg is hoping that 2013/14 treats them better than 2012/13 season did.

 

 

Key Losses: Bryson Williams (13.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG)

 

 

Key Returnees: Dalton Frasure (17.1 PPG, 11.5 RPG), Jarredd Jarrell (12.8 PPG), Jarrin Hall (9.2 PPG)

 

 

Schedule: 12/2 Russell, 12/3 @ Greenup County, 12/13 @ Betsy Layne, 12/14 Sheldon Clark, 12/17 Riverside Christian, 12/20-22 Prestonsburg Holiday Classic, 12/27-30 Lake Cumberland Classic @ Pulaski County/Somerset/Southwestern, 1/3 @ Lawrence County, 1/7 Pike County Central, 1/10 South Floyd, 1/11 @ Letcher County Central, 1/16 Belfry, 1/18 Allen Central, 1/24 Piarist School, 1/25 Betsy Layne, 1/31 @ South Floyd, 2/1 @ Piarist School, 2/4 @ Pikeville, 2/7 @ Allen Central, 2/10 @ Paintsville, 2/13 Johnson Central, 2/21 @ Shelby Valley

 

 

Lawrence County (20-11): Lawrence County saw it’s season come to an end last year in the district tournament losing to Sheldon Clark 58-42.

 

 

Lawrence County started 4 freshmen and 1 8^th grader last season so all 5 starters return for Lawrence County should make for a fun exciting season for the Bulldogs as they look to get back to the 15^th regional tournament.

 

 

Schedule: 12/3 @ East Carter, 12/6 Pikeville, 12/10 @ Magoffin County, 12/12 @ Breathitt County, 12/14 Boyd County Round Ball Classic (Lawrence County @ Boyd County), 12/16 Raceland, 12/19-22 Derby City Classic @ Raceland (Lawrence County vs. Fairview 12/19), 12/27-29 Gateway Holiday Classic @ Montgomery County (Lawrence County vs. Boyle County 12/27), 1/3 Prestonsburg, 1/7-10 WYMT Classic @ Knott County Central, 1/13 @ Betsy Layne, 1/16 @ Sheldon Clark, 1/18 @ Johnson Central, 1/20 Paintsville, 1/23 @ Russell, 1/25 West Carter, 1/28 Magoffin County, 1/31 @ Paintsville, 2/3 Johnson Central, 2/7 Sheldon Clark, 2/13 @ Pike County Central, 2/14 @ Allen Central, 2/17 Belfry, 2/20 Betsy Layne.

 

 

Belfry (14-10): Belfry lost most of their scoring from last season and will be extremely young this upcoming season. Belfry will also have a new head coach on the upcoming season as coach Mark Thompson will be the new head coach.

 

 

Schedule: 12/14 Letcher County Central, 12/17 Jenkins, 12/20-21 Kentucky Bank Challenge @ Rowan County, 12/26-28 Mountain Schoolboy Classic @ Belfry, 1/3 @ Pikeville, 1/4 Shelby Valley, 1/7 East Ridge, 1/9 Allen Central, 1/14 Phelps, 1/16 @ Prestonsburg, 1/18 Hatfield-McCoy Shootout @ Williamson WV, 1/24 @ Tug Valley WV, 1/25 Man WV, 1/28 @ Phelps, 1/30 @ Logan WV, 1/31 Johnson Central, 2/4 @ Pike County Central, 2/7 @ Knott County Central, 2/8 @ Sheldon Clark, 2/10 @ South Floyd, 2/13 Paintsville, 2/15 Betsy Layne, 2/17 @ Lawrence County, 2/18 @ Man WV, 2/20 @ East Ridge

 

Magoffin County (11-15): Magoffin County didn’t make it to the 15^th region tournament last year due to an early exit in the first round of the district tournament, returns three of their four top scorers from last year and their two leading rebounders. Magoffin County should be in good shape to make it to the region tournament this year.

 

 

Schedule: 12/5 @ East Ridge, 12/6 Betsy Layne, 12/7 @ Knott County Central, 12/10 Lawrence County, 12/12 Pikeville, 12/13 Powell County, 12/16 Pike County Central, 12/17 @ Paintsville, 12/26-28 Mountain Schoolboy Classic @ Belfry, 1/3 @ Johnson Central, 1/14 @ South Floyd, 1/16 Paintsville, 1/17 @ Powell County, 1/21 Sheldon Clark, 1/24 @ Lawrence county, 1/30 East Ridge, 2/4 @ Sheldon Clark, 2/6 @ Pike County Central, 2/7 Johnson Central, 2/11 South Floyd, 2/13 @ Betsy Layne, 2/14 Owsley County, 2/18 @ Pikeville, 2/20 @ Morgan County

 

Phelps (8-21): After winning the 60^th district title in 2012 and making it to the region tournament, the Hornets failed to make it out of the district tournament, losing in the first round to Pike County Central 52-37. Phelps, according to the roster on KHSAA, only lost two players from last year so they should be a little improved this season.

 

 

Schedule: 12/3 Betsy Layne, 12/6 South Floyd, 12/10 @ Tug Valley WV, 12/12 @ Letcher County Central, 12/14 @ Raceland, 12/16 @ Allen Central, 12/20 @ Jenkins, 12/26-28 Pikeville Invitational Tournament, 1/2 @ Pirarist School, 1/4 15^th Region All “A” Classic (Phelps vs. Paintsville), 1/10 @ Pike County Central, 1/14 @ Belfry, 1/16 Hurley VA, 1/17 Tug Valley WV, 1/18 Hatfield-McCoy Shootout @ Williamson WV (Phelps vs. Hannan WV), 1/21 East Ridge, 1/24 Pike County Central, 1/25 @ Sheldon Clark, 1/28 Belfry, 1/30 @ Hurley VA, 1/31 @ Man WV, 2/5 Man WV, 2/7 Piarist School, 2/11 Jenkins, 2/14 Sheldon Clark, 2/15 @ East Ridge, 2/18 Allen Central, 2/21 @ South Floyd

 

South Floyd (6-23): The Raiders didn’t have the type of season in 2012/13 that they were hoping to have but the good news for Raider fans is that they only lost two players from that team (according to KHSAA roster) that should make for a better season in 2013/14 then 2012/13.

 

 

Schedule: 12/3 @ Piarist School, 12/6 @ Phelps, 12/10 Paintsville, 12/13 Allen Central, 12/16 @ Jenkins, 12/17 Letcher County Central, 12/20-22 Raceland Derby Classic, 12/30 @ Shelby Valley, 1/4 15^th Region All “A” Classic (South Floyd vs. Pikeville), 1/7 @ June Buchanan, 1/10 @ Prestonsburg, 1/11 Piarist School, 1/14 Magoffin County, 1/17 Betsy Layne, 1/21 Jenkins, 1/24 @ Allen Central, 1/28 @ East Ridge, 1/31 Prestonsburg, 2/4 June Buchanan, 2/7 @ Betsy Layne, 2/10 Belfry, 2/11 @ Magoffin County, 2/15 @ Fairview, 2/18 East Ridge, TBA @ Pike Central, 2/21 Phelps

 

 

 

Shelby Valley (14-14): The Wildcats failed to make it to the 15^th regional tournament again last season when they were eliminated in the first round of the district tournament. The good news for the Wildcats is that they only lost one player from last year’s team (according to KHSAA rosters) have a new head coach in Jim Hicks and a new player in Tyler Carr who transferred in from Grant County. Carr averaged 20 points a game while grabbing 6 boards a game for Grant County last season. With what Shelby Valley has returning and the transfer, things should make for an exciting season for the Wildcats.

 

 

Schedule: 12/7 Lee County, 12/9 @ Hazard, 12/13 Jenkins, 12/14 Hilton Garden Classic @ Scott County (Shelby Valley vs. LCA), 12/17 Johnson Central, 12/20-22 Prestonsburg Holiday Classic, 12/26-28 Wayne County Holiday Classic (Shelby Valley vs. Farragut TN 12/26), 12/30 South Floyd, 1/3 Buckhorn, 1/4 @ Belfry, 1/7 15^th Region All “A” Classic, 1/14 Pikeville, 1/17 @ East Ridge, 1/18 @ Harlan County, 1/21 Betsy Layne, 1/24 @ Buckhorn, 1/27 @ Pikeville, 1/31 KY Prep Showcase @ Various Sites (Shelby Valley vs. Breathitt County), 2/7 East Ridge, 2/11 Sheldon Clark, 2/15 Hazard, 2/20 @ Knott County Central, 2/21 Prestonsburg

 

 

 

Pike County Central (14-17): The Hawks finished 14-17 last season losing not only the district championship to Belfry but also having an early exit in the first round of the 15 region tournament, losing to Pikeville 74-58. 2013/14 doesn’t look any promising for the Hawks, as they lost 5 players from last year’s team, according to the rosters on KHSAA.

 

 

Schedule: 12/6 @ Sheldon Clark, 12/9 Allen Central, 12/12 Paintsville, 12/14 @ Grundy VA, 12/16 @ Magoffin County, 12/17 River View WV, 12/20-22 Kentucky Bank Challenge @ Rowan County, 12/26-28 Bracken County Tournament (Pike Central vs. Beechwood 12/26), 1/4 Leslie County, 1/7 @ Prestonsburg, 1/10 Phelps, 1/11 Grundy VA, 1/14 East Ridge, 1/17 @ River View WV, 1/18 Hatfield-McCoy Shootout @ Williamson WV, 1/21 @ Belfry, 1/24 @ Phelps, 1/25 @ June Buchanan, 1/27 Betsy Layne, 1/31 @ Piarist School, 2/1 Pikeville, 2/4 Belfry, 2/6 Magoffin County, 2/11 @ Johnson Central, 2/13 Lawrence County, 2/15 @ Pikeville, 2/18 South Floyd, 2/20 @ Letcher County Central

 

Allen Central (5-24): The Rebels had a disappointing season last year only winning 5 games and having an early exit in the district tournament, losing to Prestonsburg 69-54 and even though Allen Central returns several talented players from last year’s team they also lose their leading rebounder and one of their top scorers in Josh Wiley. Allen Central should better than last year but not by much.

 

 

Schedule: 12/2 Lee County, 12/4 Riverside Christian, 12/6 Piarist School, 12/9 @ Pike County Central, 12/13 @ South Floyd, 12/14 @ Jackson City, 12/16 Phelps, 12/20-22 Prestonsburg Holiday Tournament, 12/30 @ Robertson County, 12/31 @ St. Patrick, 1/3 15^th Region All “A” Classic (Allen Central vs. Sheldon Clark), 1/6 Leslie County, 1/9 @ Belfry, 1/15 @ Betsy Layne, 1/18 @ Prestonsburg, 1/21 @ Paintsville, 1/24 South Floyd, 1/25 @ Rose Hill, 1/28 @ Pikeville, 1/31 Betsy Layne, 2/3 @ Cordia, 2/7 Prestonsburg, 2/10 @ Jenkins, 2/12 @ Piarist School, 2/14 Lawrence County, 2/15 @ Menifee County, 2/18 @ Phelps, 2/20 @ June Buchanan

 

 

Piarist School (4-21): Piarist School failed to win 5 games last season going 4-21 and an early round exit in the district tournament losing to South Floyd 87-44 and even though they return two of their top three scorers they will still have a season about like 2012/13, not to mention they have a short, short roster to work with.

 

 

Schedule: 12/3 South Floyd, 12/5 Betsy Layne, 12/6 @ Allen Central, 12/9 @ Riverside Christian, 12/28 @ Rose Hill, 1/2 Phelps, 1/7 15^th Region All “A” Classic (Piarist School vs. Betsy Layne), 1/9 @ Red Bird, 1/10 @ OBI, 1/11 @ South Floyd, 1/16 Fairview, 1/18 @ June Buchanan, 1/23 @ Betsy Layne, 1/24 @ Prestonsburg, 1/25 Red Bird, 1/31 Pike County Central, 2/1 Prestonsburg, 2/4 OBI, 2/6 Riverside Christian, 2/7 @ Phelps, 2/12 Allen Central, 2/18 Rose Hill

 

Paintsville (17-10): The Tigers had a pretty good season last year although it ended in a way they didn’t want it too with an early round exit in the district tournament losing to Johnson Central 48-43. That wasn’t the only thing the Tigers lost, they also lost a slew of players from that team including standout, Trevor Tiller to graduation. So it looks as if 2013/14 will be in rebuilding mode for the Paintsville Tigers.

 

 

Schedule: 12/3 Morgan County, 12/10 @ South Floyd, 12/12 @ Pike County Central, 12/17 Magoffin County, 12/19-21 Smokey Mountain Classic @ Gatlinburg TN, 12/26-28 Pikeville Invitational Tournament, 1/2 Sheldon Clark, 1/4 15^th Region All “A” Classic (Paintsville vs. Phelps), 1/14 @ Johnson Central, 1/16 @ Magoffin County, 1/20 @ Lawrence County, 1/21 Allen Central, 1/24 @ Wolfe County, 1/28 @ Sheldon Clark, 1/31 Lawrence County, 2/3 @ Morgan County, 2/6 Johnson Central, 2/10 Prestonsburg, 2/11 Betsy Layne, 2/13 @ Belfry, 2/18 Clay County, 2/20 Pikeville

 

East Ridge (16-15): The Warriors had a pretty good season last year even though they were just one game above .500 they still made it to the district championship game, which they lost, they edged Belfry in the first round of the 15^th region tournament 61-59 and lost to Sheldon Clark 54-42 in the semi-finals. According to the KHSAA roster, East Ridge only lost one player from that team, meaning that they should be in really good shape to make some noise come tourney time.

 

 

Schedule: 12/3 Grundy VA, 12/5 Magoffin County, 12/7 Riverside Christian – Hellcat/Mustang Classic, 12/10 @ Sheldon Clark, 12/14 Kentucky Farm Bureau Classic, 12/17 Betsy Layne, 12/20-21 Kentucky Bank Challenge, 1/7 @ Belfry, 1/9 Johnson Central, 1/11 Madison Central, 1/14 @ Pike County Central, 1/17 Shelby Valley, 1/18 Hatfield-McCoy Shootout @ Williamson WV, 1/21 @ Phelps, 1/23 @ Pikeville, 1/25 @ Riverview WV, 1/28 South Floyd, 1/30 @ Magoffin County, 2/3 @ Grundy VA, 2/7 @ Shelby Valley, 2/8 Riverview WV, 2/11 Pikeville, 2/13 Harlan County, 2/15 Phelps, 2/18 @ South Floyd, 2/20 Belfry.

 

 

 

Preseason 15^th Region Team Rankings:

1. Johnson Central

2. Lawrence County

3. Sheldon Clark

4. Betsy Layne

5. Shelby Valley

6. East Ridge

7. Magoffin County

8. Pikeville

9. Prestonsburg

10. Pike County Central

11. Paintsville

12. Belfry

13. South Floyd

14. Phelps

15. Allen Central

16. Piarist School

 

 

 

Top 10 15th Region Player Rankings:

 

1. Shane Hall (Johnson Central)

2. Chase Parsley (Sheldon Clark)

3. Robert Dalton (Lawrence County)

4. Braxton Blair (Johnson Central)

5. Johnny Miller (East Ridge)

6. Cory Pitts (Magoffin County)

7. Dylan Meade (Betsy Layne)

8. Cody Beltner (Shelby Valley)

9. Peyton Case (Betsy Layne)

10. Ethan Blackburn (Pike County Central)

Nice preview. I think the kid that transferred from Grant to SV may be a top 10 player in that region.