1. Johnson Central (16-6):

The Golden Eagles continued to show why they are the top team in the 15^th region last week when they won 4 straight games. The Golden Eagles got things started when they defeated Lawrence County 54-32. They had defeated the Bulldogs 69-65 earlier in the year. Shane Hall sit out this game due to the flu.

 

Johnson Central would win their next three games, all came on back to back to back days. They defeated Paintsville 78-55. Johnson Central had 3 players that had 14 points each, Shane Hall, Kyle Gullett, Slade McPeek. Shane Hall also had 2 assist, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 2 dunks and 5 boards. Johnson Central tied a school record for most different players to hit a 3 in the same game (7), last time that happened for the Golden Eagles was 2000.

 

Johnson Central would go back on the road the very next night to Magoffin County in a big 57^th district game against Magoffin County. The Golden Eagles would get the same result, a 70-49 win. Shane Hall led the Golden Eagles with a double-double, 23 pts, 13 boards, 1 block and 1 dunk.

 

Lee County would make the long haul over from Beattyville to Johnson Central to try and knock off the Golden Eagles, however, that wouldn’t be the case as the Golden Eagles would cruise on to a 87-58 victory. Shane Hall led the Golden Eagles with 17 pts, 7 boards, 4 blocks, 2 steals, 3 dunks.

 

Upcoming games: vs. Pike County Central 2/11, vs. Ashland Blazer 2/14, @ Pikeville 2/17, @ Prestonsburg 2/20

 

 

2. Betsy Layne (21-4):

The Bobcats continue to roll. Betsy Layne has won 2 straight and 8 of their last 10 and don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

 

Upcoming games: @ Paintsville 2/11, @ Prestonsburg 2/14, @ Belfry 2/15, vs. Magoffin County 2/19, @ Jenkins 2/21

 

 

3. Shelby Valley (16-7):

After starting the season red hot, the Wildcats have cooled off just a tad bit. The Wildcats got revenge on East Ridge by defeating the Warriors 42-35 after East Ridge defeated Shelby Valley just 6 days earlier 43-42. Shelby Valley is 6-4 in their last 10 games.

 

Upcoming games: vs. Sheldon Clark 2/11, vs. Hazard 2/15, @ Knott County Central 2/20, vs. Prestonsburg 2/21

 

 

4. Lawrence County (17-8):

The Bulldogs continue to get hot as the season winds down. Lawrence County picked up 2 wins last week, defeating district rival, Sheldon Clark 52-49 in a thriller. Lawrence County would go on and beat June Buchanan on the next night 72-38. Bulldogs have won 8 of their last 10.

 

Upcoming games: @ Pike County Central 2/13, @ Allen Central 2/14, vs. Belfry 2/17, @ South Floyd 2/20

 

 

5. Sheldon Clark (16-6):

The Cardinals seem to be doing the right thing at the right time going 6-4 in their last 10 games, 4-1 last 5 games. The Cardinals picked up 2 wins last week ,defeating Magoffin County 70-46 and Belfry 63-45. Their loss came to Lawrence County in a thriller 52-49. Sheldon Clark will look to continue to keep going in the right direction this week.

 

Upcoming games: @ Shelby Valley 2/11, @ Magoffin County 2/12, @ Phelps 2/14, @ June Buchanan 2/15, vs. Morgan County 2/18

 

6. Pike County Central (12-7):

The Hawks have been steady all year, win couple games then lose one or two then back to the winning ways. The Hawks picked up a very exciting win last week when they defeated Belfry 63-62. They’ll look to build off that win this week.

 

Upcoming games: @ Johnson Central 2/11, vs. Lawrence County 2/13, @ Pikeville 2/15, vs. South Floyd 2/18, @ Letcher County Central 2/20

 

 

7. Prestonsburg (13-11):

The Blackcats have picked up steam here lately and it continued last week when they went 2-1 with wins over Piarist School 76-37 and Allen Central 71-55. Their loss came in a thriller to Pikeville 74-72. They’ll look to continue being hot this week.

 

Upcoming games: @ Paintsville 2/10, vs. Betsy Layne 2/14, vs. Johnson Central 2/20, @ Shelby Valley 2/21

 

 

8. East Ridge (10-9):

After starting the season off on a bad note, winning 2 of their first 3 games but going just 4-6 in their first 10 games including a 6 game losing streak, the Warriors have came on strong lately, winning 8 of their last 10. East Ridge will look to continue to build off that.

 

Upcoming games: vs. Pikeville 2/11, vs. Harlan County 2/13, vs. Phelps 2/15, vs. Belfry 2/20

 

 

9. Pikeville (9-14):

A lot like East Ridge, the Panthers started the season off on the wrong foot but have came on a good lately and will look to build off that this week. The Panthers picked up two very good wins last week defeating Prestonsburg 74-72 and Harlan County 61-55.

 

Upcoming games: @ East Ridge 2/11, @ South Floyd 2/13, vs. Pike County Central 2/15, vs. Johnson Central 2/17, vs. Magoffin County 2/18, @ Paintsville 2/20

 

 

10. Magoffin County (11-11):

After starting the season on a good note, winning 6 of their first 10 games, the Hornets have gotten off the foot that they started out on, going 3-7 in their last 10 games. The Hornets will look to get their ship turned around this week.

 

Upcoming games: vs. South Floyd 2/11, vs. Sheldon Clark 2/14, @ Powell County 2/15, @ Pikeville 2/18, @ Betsy Layne 2/19, @ Morgan County 2/20

Anyone agree/disagree?

Has Betsy Layne been a surprise to you?

They are a solid team. They beat Louisville Male, Shelby Valley and a very very good Jackson County team.

Were they expected to be a top team?

15th runs through Johnson Central. Top 5 is pretty accurate.

I am wanting to know if Betsy Layne was expected to be this good before the season started. In your opinion have they surpassed expectations? Or did fans of the fifteenth region think they would be a contender from the beginning?