article Inside the 15th Region (1-4-16)

[15th Region]

Overview: Lawrence County is still the favorite, Magoffin County took a step back, and Johnson Central and Pike Central seem to be on an upward trend after 5 weeks of play. All A play and a few key “in region” match-up’s make for a great week of basketball in the 15th Region. Let’s see how the rankings have changed.

 

1. Lawrence County (14-2) – The Bulldogs continued to roll in Week 5, picking up 4 more wins against quality competition (4-0 for the week). Lawrence County’s 13 games in 16 days brutal stretch has come to an end, but the competition will still be stiff as they head to the WYMT classic in Week 6 (opening with Perry Central who they defeated in the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic just one week earlier). After the WYMT, the Bulldogs will get into regional play and where they will be favored in every game.

2. Johnson Central (5-7) – The Golden Eagles play very hard and their stable of young talent is getting better as they get more games under their belt. Week 5 saw JC go 2-2 (losing in overtime to Shelby Valley in the PIT, losing a 4Q lead to very good Morgan County team in the PIT, defeating Russell in the PIT and defeating a very good Magoffin County team in the district opener (Mason Blair scored 30 points on 7 Made 3FG, 17 total shots, in 20 minutes of play). Week 6 will see JC travel to Pike Central, host cross town rival Paintsville, and close with Belfry on the road. Good news for the Eagles is Senior SF Josh Hitchcock may be cleared to return to full practice as early as January 11th (minor knee surgery in November).

 

3. Magoffin County (7-5) – The Hornets started hot, but have lost 4 out of their last 5. Leading by 11 entering the 4th Q, Magoffin dropped their last game to a solid Johnson Central squad. In Week 6 Magoffin will visit South Floyd, a team they defeated at home early in the season by 11. This game should tell us if have rectified the ship and are heading in the right direction.

 

4. Shelby Valley (8-4) – An impressive win against Johnson Central in OT (powered by Hunter Swidall’s 37 points) in the PIT was followed by another impressive win vs. South Floyd (again in the PIT). Shelby Valley lost in the championship game of the PIT vs. Hazard, but would follow that up with a dominating performance against Leslie County at home. Week 6 will see Shelby Valley compete in the All A Classic where they will open with Phelps.

 

5. Pike Central (5-7) – The Hawks had an impressive showing in the Mountain School Boy Classic in Week 4. Pike Central went 1-2 in the event but only lost by 6 to a very talented South Laurel team and lost by 9 to North Laurel without their best player (Teddy Smith – more on him later). Pike Central did defeat Magoffin County by 2 after erasing a double digit 4 quarter deficit. Week 5 will see the Hawks host 15th Region power Johnson Central, host Paintsville and then travel to Phelps. Senior swing man Teddy Smith suffered a kidney infection and possibly passed several stones over the weekend. He is recovering just fine and will be a game time decision for Monday’s contest vs. Johnson Central. The Hawks are a different team with him on the floor.

 

6. South Floyd (6-6) – The Raiders have a solid squad led by Andrew Tackett. In week 5 they defeated a very good Morgan County team before falling to Shelby Valley by 3 then losing a 15 point lead late and falling to Pikeville by one (all three games in the Pikeville Invitational Tournament). Good news is they may soon have the services of J.R. Tackett who is recovering from knee surgery. Currently doctors say he may return by the 21st of the month. When/if they get him back, this South Floyd team could be scary good. Week 6 will see the Raiders host Magoffin County then open the All A Classic with Pikeville in what should be a great game.

 

7. Pikeville (6-7) – Pikeville went 2-2 in week 5 with wins in the PIT against Russell and South Floyd (lost to Hazard) and a neutral site loss to Ashland in the Marvin Meredith Classic (played at Russell). Pikeville was without the services of Senior G Ryder Johnson (quad injury), but should see him back in action soon (injured during the first game of the PIT vs. Russell). The Panthers have all the pieces to make a run at the regional title as they are still defining roles and rotations. In week 6 Pikeville will host Belfry then meet South Floyd in the All A Classic.

 

8. East Ridge (8-5) – Quietly the Warriors from Lick Creek have been winning games (albeit against sub par competition). In week 5 East Ridge went 2-1 with wins over Phelps and Beth Haven and a convincing loss vs. South Laurel. Week 6 will see the Warriors in action in the All A classic vs. Allen Central.

 

9. Betsy Layne (5-6) – Betsy Layne started the season hot, but have seem to hit wall with their young talent. Week 5 saw them compete in the Pine Mountain Classic at Pineville were they went 1-2 with losses vs. Lynn Camp and Breathitt County and a win vs. Middlesboro. Week 6 will see the Bobcats get a win in the All A Classic vs. Piarist and move on in that tournament to play Paintsville.

 

10. Sheldon Clark (4-8) – Sheldon Clark passes the eye test when you see them play. They have size, can all shoot, and have athleticism. When they put it all together you could see this squad rise up the rankings. Week 5 saw the Cardinals go 1-2 in the Pikeville Invitational, getting a win against Russell and falling to Hazard and Morgan County. Week 6 will see them play in the All A Classic as they drew a bye.

 

11. Allen Central (5-7) – Another young 15th Region squad that is very well coached. The Rebels went 1-2 in week 5 with wins over Nicholas County and Fairview and a loss to Greenup County. In week 6 they will be in the All A Classic vs. East Ridge.

 

12. Paintsville (2-6) – The Tigers have a good mix of upper and lower classmen, but cant seem to find an identity. Losers of 5 in a row (101-52 at the hands of Boyd County), the road does not get easier in Week 6 as they travel to Johnson Central, to Pike Central and then meet Betsy Layne in the All A Classic. Look for the growing pains to continue for Paintsville.

 

13. Belfry (2-7) – Belfry has plenty of athletes but seem to fall into the “football school” stereotype. The Pirates will look to bounce back in week 6 as they travel to Pikeville and Greenup County, then host Johnson Central. The road is tough, but this Pirate team will get better and better as the season progresses.

 

14. Prestonsburg (2-11) – Not much you can say about the Black Cat basketball program. A once tradition heavy school has fallen on hard times and struggles getting athletes out on the hardwood. Hopefully the season can turn around for them as they play in the All A Classic in Week 6. Currently their only wins are against Piarist and Phelps and attendance at games has been very low.

 

15. Phelps (1-8) – The hornets will compete in the All A this week vs. Shelby Valley. They are scrappy young group of kids that are easy to cheer for and will be very good if they stay together. Look for Phelps to improve in the coming years.

 

16. Piarist (0-8) – The Knights of Piarist will not get a win in Week 6, but may in Week 7 as they face riverside Christian. All A this week.

 

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