article Inside the 15th Region (2-16-15)

[15th Region]

Overview:

With the snow storms still letting us know winter is here, Week 11 in the 15th Region may turn out to be the last of the regular season. In Week 11 Johnson Central continued to roll over opponents as Kyle Gullett seems to be getting better and better, Sheldon Clark got some big performances from Dylan James and gutted out 2 wins without Chase Parsley, and Lawrence County and Paintsville took a few steps back as one lost a major player for the year with injury. Read below to see how the rankings pan out after this week’s action.

 

Rankings after Week 11:

 

1. Johnson Central (19-8) – Johnson Central seems to be peaking at just the right time (A staple Coach McKenzie is known for) as they continue to roll through competition. In week 11 the Golden Eagles defeated Pike Central on the road 79-58 (Kyle 21 pts, 8 rbs, 7 blks, 1 stl / Mason Blair 19 pts (5 3’s), 3 rbs, 3 stls, 1 blk) and Ashland on the road 86-49 (Kyle Gullett 17 pts, 11 rbs, 11 blks, 3 ast, 2 stls / Mason Blair 23 pts (5 3’s), 6 rbs, 1 stl / Dalton Adkins 21 pts, 2stls, 1 rbd). In the Ashland game, Senior SF Kyle Gullett recorded his first career triple double and 7th in school history (Shane Hall [5] / Nick Music [1]) as he continues to make his case for 15th Region POY and All-State. Due to weather, Johnson Central had their games vs. Buckhorn, Lee County, and Betsy Layne cancelled but look to pick up a game later in the week if the snow clears. In other news the 57th District meeting was held on Sunday where Coach McKenzie won the coin flip to call the flip, then called the flip correctly to secure the #1 seed in the district and a date with Magoffin County on Tuesday, February 24th as they begin defense of their 3 time running 15th Region crown.

 

2. Sheldon Clark (20-5) – Still without 15th Region POY candidate Chase Parsley, Frankie Smith and the Cardinals played some determined basketball in week 11. In their first game, the Cards fell to Lawrence County 50-69 at home in a game that saw Sophomore All-State candidate Dylan James record his first 20/20 game (Dylan James 20 pts, 20 rbs). The following day, Sheldon Clark defeated 15th Region All-A Champion Shelby Valley at home 64-63 as Dylan James had yet another big performance (James 28 pts, 10 rbs). In the Shelby Valley game, Coach Smith and the Cardinals trailed by 12 points to start the 4th Quarter (Trailed by 9 with 90s left in the game) but still managed to pull out the victory. Sheldon Clark finished out the week by defeating Magoffin County on the road 61-53 in a game that saw them secure at tie with Johnson Central for the 57th District #1 seed (A coin flip they would lose on Sunday at the 57th District meeting thus locking in a date with Paintsville in opening round of tournament play). A much anticipated date with Knott Central, like all the other games, has been cancelled due to weather. In other news, Chase Parsley should see action in the district tournament as he returns from a low ankle injury (Hopefully just in time to see the Cards make a run at the 15th Region crown).

 

3. Betsy Layne (21-7) – Betsy Layne had some difficult test in week 11 and passed them all with flying colors. In their first game of the week the Bobcats defeated Jackson County at home 60-58 (Peyton Case 20 pts, Lako Daniels 12 pts, 12 rbs). They were able to follow this win up with a mild up-set by defeating Paintsville at home 47-45 (Lako Daniels 24 pts, 11 rbs / Peyton Case 16 pts). During warm-up’s in the Paintsville game, Paintsville Junior PF Cash Daniel broke the rim creating a delay. Betsy Layne closed the week with a win as they defeated Phelps at home 83-59 (Lako Daniels 25 pts, 18 rbs / Peyton Case 26 pts / Dustin Rogers Career High 25 pts). All games for week 12 have been cancelled due to weather, but like most of the teams Betsy Layne will look to pick up a few this weekend if possible. Coach Keathley has the Bobcats primed for his first post season as, like Johnson Central, they seem to be playing well at the right time.

 

4. Paintsville (15-9) – In their only contest of the week, Paintsville lost to Betsy Layne on the road 45-47. The Tigers are the 15th Region version of Jekyll and Hyde (Only team to defeat Johnson Central in the Golden Eagles last 17 games – lost to their 3rd 58th District Team). The lack of consistency has plagued the Tigers this season (along with the weak 58th District), but look for Bill Mike Runyon to have them ready come tournament time. When they are clicking on all cylinders, Paintsville can be a very scary team for any opponent and have the potential to make a very deep post season run. After the 57th District Tournament meeting, it was determined that Paintsville will play Sheldon Clark in the first round of post season play.

 

5. Lawrence County (15-12) – Coupled with the return of Timmy Dalton and some impressive wins in week 10, Lawrence County had put the 15th Region on notice that they would be heard from come tournament time, but that may not be the case after week 11. The Bulldogs opened up the week strong as they defeated Sheldon Clark on the road 69-50 (Timmy Dalton two dunks, Robert Dalton one dunk) but followed it up with losses to Morgan County at home 74-75 and Pikeville on the road 75-79. In the Pikeville game Lawrence County got some terrible news as Junior Star Robert Dalton reinjured his hand (completely breaking it) and is scheduled for surgery this week officially ending his season. Robert may be done for the year, but the Bulldogs still have the talent to win the 60th District and make a run in the post season, it just doesn’t seem as certain as it once may have.

 

Close to cracking into the Top 5:

Pike Central, Pikeville, East Ridge, Shelby Valley

 

Upsets in the Region:

Betsy Layne defeated Paintsville 47-45 at home February 10th (mild upset)

Pikeville defeated Lawrence County at home 79-75 February 13th

 

Games to Watch in Week 12:

All Mountain Games have been cancelled for Monday and Tuesday and likely for the rest of week due to snow. Look for the District Tournament Preview Sunday February 22nd as we examine the 57th 58th, 59th, and 60th Competition!

 

Agree or Disagree?

[UKfan1977]

When is the Region Tourney as of now?

[15th Region]

March 2-5 as of now. Will be played at the East KY EXPO Center for both the Boys' and Girls'.