Inside the 15th Region (2-9-15)

Overview:

With 2 Weeks left before District Tournaments begin, the 15th Region is starting to look like what we predicted before the season started. In Week 10, JC secured at least a share of the 57th District #1 seed, Sheldon Clark got good news about their star point guard’s injury, and Lawrence County galvanized its self among mid-season controversy. It should be a great end to the season as the rotations are getting shorter, gyms are getting packed, and teams getting ready for what could be a push to RUPP Arena. Lets see how our rankings have changed after 10 weeks of play!

Rankings after Week 10:

1. Johnson Central (17-8) – Week 10 saw Head Coach Tommy McKenzie and the Golden Eagles improve to 15-3 with Kyle Gullett in the line-up and 13-1 since having their full complement of players available for practice as they defeated Breathitt County 85-63 on the road and Paintsville 74-56 at home. The two wins saw 15th Region POY candidate Kyle Gullett come extremely close to the first 5x5 in school history (at least 5 of every positive stat in the same game). In the Breathitt County game Gullett put up 19 pts, 16 rbs, 5 ast, 5 stls, and 3 blks. Gullett was able to follow this up with 28 pts, 13 rbs, 4 ast, 4 blks, and 3 stls in an extremely physical Paintsville game (A game which saw over 3K fans turn out to Paul R. Setser Eagle Field House). With the win vs. cross town rival Paintsville, the Golden Eagles secured no worst than a tie with Sheldon Clark for first place in the 57th District (Sheldon Clark still needs to defeat Magoffin County to secure the coin flip – 1st place will meet Magoffin County in the first round of the district tournament, 2nd place will play Paintsville). Kyle Gullett is not the only weapon Coach McKenzie has developed in his program. Sophomore Guard Mason Blair scored 26 pts and 23 pts vs Breathitt County and Paintsville respectively (connecting on 5 3’s vs. Paintsville as he inches closer to the single season school record for 3’s made – Robbie O’Bryan made 103 in 1992, Mason has currently made 80). Senior PG Braxton Blair also averaged in double figures for the week and he continues to provide leadership. In week 11 JC will Play Pike Central on the road Tuesday, Ashland on the road Thursday, and Buckhorn at Nicholas County in the shoot for the cure classic Saturday. The Eagles will be favored in every game as Tommy McKenzie continues to cultivate the 15th Region power he has built.

2. Sheldon Clark (18-4) – The Cardinals are still without POY Candidate and starting point guard Chase Parsley, but he should not be out long as X-Rays and MRI’s came back negative (ankle injury suffered in Paintsville loss). In his absence Sophomore All State Candidate Dylan James has moved from the front court to the back court, taking on more ball handling responsibilities and leading the Cards to wins over Tolsia, WV (85-51) Phelps (78-53) and Belfry (64-50). In the 3 games combine, James has averaged over 24 ppg and 10 rbg while playing over 28 mpg. The schedule will get tougher as SC will play Lawrence County Monday at home, Shelby Valley Tuesday at home and Magoffin County on the road Friday. The Lawrence County game will be difficult without Parsley as the Bulldogs are at full strength and very athletic in the back court with the Dalton brothers. The Magoffin County game will determine if SC gets a coin flip for the 57th District #1 seed with JC or if they are locked into the #2 seed and a date with Paintsville in the District Tournament. Look for the Cardinals to be tested without Parsley in week 11 as we expect his return near the start of Districts.

Paintsville (15-8) – The Tigers lost to cross town rival Johnson Central 56-74 in their only contest in Week 10 as the Morgan County game on the road was cancelled and is not currently scheduled to be made up. Versus JC, Paintsville was unable to slow the game down as they did 23 days earlier against the Eagles (win 57-56), seeing as high as a 22 point deficit late. On a positive note, Paintsville was able to hold JC to only 2 points in the 2nd quarter or the final outcome would have likely been much worse as they got a 10 rebound performance from recent Alabama State Football commit Do’nte Hendricks and 11 points from Zach Collins (both coming off the bench – Collins was the only Tiger in double figures). Bill Mike Runyon and the Tigers have a very physical team that plays to its strengths (rebounding and defense) but goes through stretches where they struggle to score. Look for the Tigers to bounce back in week 11 as they will play Betsy Layne Tuesday on the road and Belfry at home Thursday. With the JC loss Paintsville has locked themselves into the 2 / 3 game in the 57th District Tournament and will either face Johnson Central or Sheldon Clark (depending on the outcome of the Sheldon Clark / Magoffin County game).

4. Lawrence County (14-10) – Lawrence County has everyone back and playing very well, overcoming any mid-season drama that threatened to tear the team apart. With Timmy and Robert Dalton showing off their superior athleticism and Brandon Richardson and Austin Chaffins patrolling the lanes and point respectively, LC got impressive wins as they defeated Boyd County at home 88-77 (leading by as many as 31), Belfry at home 96-72, and Williamsburg @ Buckhorn 110-78. When Lawrence County plays like they have been, they can beat any team in the state on a given night. The question is, can they keep the positive energy and team concept in their focus? Head Coach Travis York and the Bulldogs will face Sheldon Clark on the road Monday (big time 15th Region match-up but the Cards are without star PG Chase Parsley), Morgan County at home Wednesday, and Pikeville on the road Friday (Pikeville has size with Zach Huffman and size has given LC problems this year). Watch out for the Bulldogs as they may quickly move up the rankings after Week 11. On a side note, Lawrence county Forward Grant Kiser is approaching the 1,000 point mark for his career. When he hits the mark (and he should soon) it will mean all 5 Bulldog starters will be in the 1,000 point club (very rare).

5. Betsy Layne (18-7) – The Bobcats continue to roll through the 58th District as they defeated Prestonsburg 66-49 and Allen Central 66-56 both at home (improving to 7-0 versus District opponents). Betsy Layne does not have a strong schedule, but have a chance every time Peyton Case laces them up. The 15th Region POY candidate continues to average over 20 ppg as he will likely lead BL into the 15th Region Tournament at the Pikeville EXPO center. In Week 11, Coach Keathley and the Bobcats will face Jackson County at home on Monday, Paintsville at home on Tuesday, and Phelps at home on Friday. The Jackson County and Paintsville games have the potential to be very competitive while BL will be heavily favored in the Phelps game.

Close to cracking into the Top 5:

Pike Central, Pikeville, East Ridge, Shelby Valley

Upsets in the Region:

East Ridge defeated Shelby Valley @ ER 57-49 Friday, February 6th. (59th District Action)

Games to Watch in Week 11:

Lawrence County @ Magoffin County Monday, February 9th.

Shelby Valley @ Sheldon Clark Tuesday, February 10th.

Paintsville @ Betsy Layne Tuesday, February 10th.

Johnson Central @ Pike Central Tuesday, February 10th.

East Ridge @ Pikeville Tuesday, February 10th.

Lawrence County @ Pikeville Friday, February 13th.

Sheldon Clark @ Magoffin County Friday, February 13th. (SC wins = tie for #1 seed in 57th District with JC and coin flip)

Johnson Central vs. Buckhorn @ Nicholas County Saturday, February 14th.

Agree or Disagree?