[h=2]2015/16 15th Region Girls Basketball Preview[/h]It’s that time once again, kids putting on their jersey’s, lasing up their shoes and rushing out on to the court to warm up as it’s time for BASKETBALL IN THE BLUEGRASS!!!! The 15th region this coming season should be a knock down drag out. The Johnson Central will look to repeat as 15th region champs but Shelby Valley and Magoffin County may have something to say about that.

 

TEAM RANKINGS:

1. Johnson Central (22-12): Coach Rice returns all but two from last year’s team that made it to the second round of the KHSAA girls sweet 16.

Juniors Bailey Daniel and Jayla Spurlock, who were Johnson Central’s two main leading scorers from last season return for another year for the Lady Eagles and hope that they will make it back to Bowling Green, WKU except they hope to leave Bowling Green with a state championship trophy.

 

2. Shelby Valley (22-7): Despite having only 1 senior and 1 junior the Lady Wildcats will contend for a region championship. The Lady Wildcats have the depth and speed to get up and down the court fast and sub players in and out. The Lady Wildcats return two of their three top scorers from last season in senior Lakyn Mullins (16 PPG) and Sophomore Lindsey Profitt (15 PPG).

 

3. Magoffin County (10-13): The Lady Hornets didn’t finish last season like they had hoped, losing 48-46 to Johnson Central in the first round of the 57th district tournament. Magoffin County will be a team to watch this coming season in the 15thregion as both leading socrers from last season return, Jazzmine Howard and Leslee Howard, who both averaged over 20 PPG. The Lady Hornets also have the #1 player in the region in Jazzmine Howard.

 

 

4. Pikeville (14-16): The Lady Panthers had an up and down season last year before it came to an end at 14-16. The Lady Panthers return 1 of their top scorers from a year ago in, Savanna Nunemaker, who averaged 11 points a game.

 

 

5. Paintsville (14-11): Paintsville lost two players from last year but one of those two were their leading scorer and leading rebounder. Paintsville will have the speed to run up and down the floor but rebounding will hurt them.

 

 

6. Prestonsburg (16-14): The Lady Blackcats had a good season last year, winning the 58th district championship and making it to the semi-finals of the regional tournament. The Lady Blackcats return their leading scorers from last season’s team. With Prestonsburg able to play up temp or slow it down offense and with players sharing the ball really well, they can upset some people and find themselves playing for a region championship.

 

7. Sheldon Clark (17-11): The Lady Cards had a great season last year, making it to the regional championship game where they were defeated by Johnson Central 62-46. The Good news for the Lady Cards this season is that they return 2/3 top scorers from last season in Hope Lafferty (18 PPG) and Emily Waller (13 PPG), The bad news is that they will have to deal with Johnson Central again.

 

8. East Ridge (18-11): With leading scorer, Leslie Flennor returning along with seneior Hannah Bevins, sophomore Britney Takcett and sophomore Katie May, the Lady Warriors will look to have another successful season but with a better out come. The Lady Eagles have all the right makings for potential upsets this season, playing with a never give up attitude and good chemistry. Lady Warriors don’t have that much size but playing with a big heart, they are very capable of beating anyone on any given night in this region.

 

 

9. Pike County Central (11-17): Coach Newsome returns everyone from a year ago that went 11-18 including both leading scorers in Madison Mullins (16 PPG) and Cassidy Mullins (14 PPG). The Lady Hawks struggled last season but expected to be much improved this season and should finish strong.

 

 

10. Belfry (16-12): Belfry started last season on a bad note but finished strong winning 9 of their final 10 games with that one loss coming to region champ, Johnson Central 66-49. 2015/16 doesn’t look good for the Lady Pirates after losing 4 of their players from last season including leading scorer, Emily Baker.

 

11. South Floyd (13-14): South Floyd struggled to start the season last year but finished strong winning 8 of their final 10 games. Leading scorer Leighann Hall returns will be a big boost for the Lady Raiders this coming season.

 

12. Betsy Layne (10-17): The Lady Bobcats struggled last season, infact all of their 10 wins came against region opponents. The Good news for the Lady Bobcats is that they only lose 3 from last season but the bad news is that they will be about the same this coming season.

 

13. Lawrence County (12-18): With the Lady Bulldogs losing a lot of their scoring from last season, this year won’t be that much better.

 

14. Piarist School (8-15): The Lady Knights were another team that struggled last season and losing 1 of their top leading scorers, this season should be about the same as last season.

 

15. Allen Central (4-20): Allen Central only won 4 games, 3 of those were against region opponents. 2 in the December and 2 in the new year. The Lady Rebels only lose one player from a year ago which should make for a better 2015/16 season but not much better.

 

16. Phelps (0-20): The Lady Hornets will be looking to get win #1 this coming season.

 

 

Top 10 Players:

1. Jassmine “Jazzy” Howard (Magoffin County):

The leading scorer for the Lady Hornets at 18 PPG last season, Jazzy Howard is the top player in the region this season and probably next season as well. Not only was she the leading scorer, she was also the leading rebounder for the Lady Hornets and with another year under her belt, she will be even better this season and should help propel the Lady Hornets into the region tournament and possibly region championship game.

 

2. Lakyn Mullins (Shelby Valley): Averaging 16 points a game last season, Lakyn helped push Shelby Valley into the regional tournament, although they had a disappointing first round exit, they had a great season with Lakyn playing a big part in it. Lakyn will be one of the best players in the region this coming season and should have another outstanding year.

 

3. Emily Waller (Sheldon Clark): Leading scorer for the Lady Cardinals last season that helped propel Sheldon Clark into the region championship game will be the workhorse that leads this Lady Cardinal team.

 

4. Jayla Spurlock (Johnson Central): One of the leading scorers for the Lady Eagles team that made it to the second round of the KHSAA girls sweet 16 last season. She will be one of several players that the Lady Eagles and Coach Rice turn too this season.

 

5. Lauren Delong (Johnson Central): Another player that Coach Rice and Johnson Central will turn too this season. Lauren was the third leading scorer for the Lady Eagles last season at 9 points a game.

 

6. Lesli Fleenor (East Ridge): Leslie played a big part in East Ridge’s success last season and will look to do the same thing this season.

 

7. Savanna Nunemaker (Pikeville): The Lady Panthers struggled last season but Savanna didn’t averaging 11 points a game for the Lady Panthers last season.

 

8. Hope Lafferty (Sheldon Clark): Hope helped lead Sheldon Clark to the region championship game against Johnson Central last season. She knows what it takes to get there and to win it.

 

9. Tiffany Meadows (Prestonsburg): Averaging 18 points a game last season helped lead the Lady Blackcats into the regional tournament. Tiffany should have another great season this year.

 

10. Alexxa Gearheart (Pikeville): In 30 games played last season, Alexxa averaged 10 points a game for the Lady Panthers.

Great job!! Sheldon Clark had some bad news recently as Emily Waller tore her ALC and will be out for the season. Players and teams look good!

One of the unsung regions in the state as many of these teams do not get statewide exposure..The more we can find out about them the more we can promote them

thanks for the recap