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

[15th Region]

Overview: With just one week left in the regular season, teams are gearing up for a post season run and looking fine tune things as districts quickly approach. Can anyone catch Lawrence County? Will the loss of Jacob Isaac stymie Magoffin County? Can Johnson Central 5-peat? Will Pikeville, Shelby Valley, East Ridge or Pike Central make a run? All these questions will be answered in the next few weeks. For now lets see how the rankings have changed after 11 weeks of play:

 

1. Lawrence County (23-4) – The Bulldogs have won 9 or their last 10 to include two wins in Week 11 against Belfry and Phelps (by comfortable margins). Lawrence County will close out the regular season in Week 12 with Sheldon Clark at home. Look for the Bulldogs to be sharp in the last week of the regular season as they attempt to make their first ever run to Rupp Arena.

 

2. Magoffin County (19-6) – The Hornets are without Senior big man Jacob Isaac for the remained of the season (torn ACL / ruptured meniscus), but continue to win. They were able to defeat Prestonsburg and Sheldon Clark in week 11 before losing to a very hot Greenup County team on the road. The team does look different without Isaac as more defensive attention is being paid to Trenton Russell and Jaren Lovely. The big question is can Dalton Peters step up his game to fill the void. The Hornets will close out the season with Morgan County on the road (should be a dandy) and Shelby Valley on the road in week 12.

 

3. Johnson Central (15-11) – In a stunning turn of events Johnson Central opened week 11 with a 26 point loss to Pike Central. Just three weeks prior, JC led Pike Central 60-20 in the third quarter. In this game, Pike Central led JC 60-30 to start the fourth (70 point difference). The Golden Eagles didn’t bring it that game and Pike Central did. JC was able to bounce back and defeat a solid Ashland team at home by double digits, then go on the road and out of region to June Buchanan, handing the Crusaders their worst loss of the season (again by double digits). Johnson Central will close out the season with a home game vs. Betsy Layne and a road game at Pikeville. Johnson Central is still a scary team come tournament time.

 

4. Pikeville (14-14) – Pikeville played 4 games in week 11 and seem to be rolling at the right time. They opened the week with a loss to East Ridge, but closed with wins over Shelby Valley (OT), Pike Central and Belfry. The Shelby Valley win secured the number 1 overall seed in the 59th District tournament and a first round date with Piarist. The fallout from the Shelby Valley post game is yet to be determined, but on the floor it was a great contest. Clay Slone played big for the Panthers and earned 15th Region POW honors from multiple media outlets. Pikeville will close out the regular season with Paintsville and Johnson Central at home. We know one thing for sure, the Shelby Valley win secured a birth in the regional tournament for Coach Williams and Pikeville.

 

5. Shelby Valley (17-9) – The Wildcats went 1-2 in week 11 with a win over Piarist and losses to Sheldon Clark and Pikeville (OT) (all three games were played at home). Hunter Swindall and Lamont Wright continue to carry the load for Shelby Valley as they approach the district tournament, but the biggest question on everyone’s mind is the coaching situation. Following the Pikeville game, allegations of misconduct were brought up regarding Shelby Valley Head Coach Jim Hicks. At this time what we know is that no outcomes have been determined and that one Pikeville player has filed charges claiming he was hit. Jim Hicks is still the coach at Shelby Valley and due process must be afforded to him before judgement is passed. Like him or not, the man is innocent until these allegations proven. Hopefully the situation will be resolved in a swift and fair manner, thus not distracting Shelby Valley from what could be a promising post season run. The Wildcats will close the regular season with Pike Central and Magoffin County at home.

 

6. South Floyd (13-11) – The Raiders dropped both of their games in week 11 in heartbreaking fashion. A 1 point loss at home to June Buchanan was followed by a double overtime loss to Paintsville on the road. In both games the Raiders were unable to close out late in the 4th quarter. South Floyd will finish the regular season with Phelps, Pike Central, and Piarist. The Raiders will be favored to represent the 58th District in the regional tournament and have the firepower to make some noise at the EXPO center.

 

7. Pike Central (10-17) – Pike Central was able to get a quality win on the road vs. Johnson Central in dominating fashion (without Ryan Eads playing), but dropped two heartbreakers to East Ridge and Pikeville (both at home / both by just 1 point) to close out the week. With a healthy roster, this Pike Central team is very tough to press and very well coached. They are playing better than their record indicates and will be favored to make it to the EXPO center and regional tournament. Pike Central will close the regular season with Shelby Valley, South Floyd, and Letcher Central on three consecutive nights.

 

8. East Ridge (17-11) – The Warriors went 4-0 in week 11 and with Randy McCoy’s methodical and deliberate style will be in almost any game they play. This style is conducive to tournament play and very difficult to stop if they have the lead. East Ridge will look to stay sharp in the final week of the regular season as they host both Sheldon Clark and Phelps in preparation for their date with Shelby Valley in the district tournament.

 

9. Belfry (9-15) – The Pirates went 1-2 in week 11 and are a very very good team regardless of what their record says. They have played very few games with the full compliment of players and with Big Cole Bentley in the middle and Fannin on the perimeter, they could end anyone’s season abruptly. Belfry finishes out the regular season with Allen Central, Man, WV, and Prestonsburg as they look to build off a dominating performance vs. Sheldon Clark.

 

10. Sheldon Clark (9-18) – Much like Belfry, this team is flat out scary regardless of their record. They have excellent athletes and shooters all over the floor. Week 11 saw them lose a very close game to Magoffin County then lose to Belfry. They defeated Shelby Valley in a blowout on the road as well. Week 12 will see the Cards finish on the road for three games against East Ridge, Lawrence County, and Buckhorn. Expected someone from Johnson Central (their district opponent) to be at every game.

 

11. Allen Central (13-13) – Week 11 saw the Rebels go 3-1 with wins over Prestonsburg, Jenkins, and Menifee County. The return of senior guard Seth Hall has made Allen Central a threat to any team in the 15th Region on a given night. The guard shoots, passes, and dribbles very well and since returning from ACL surgery is getting stronger with each game. Look for Allen Central in the regional tournament as they close the regular season with Belfry, Phelps twice, and Piarist.

 

12. Paintsville (7-15) – The Tigers went 1-1 in week 11 with a big win in double overtime vs. South Floyd and a loss against Knox Central (both games at home). Late season lineup changes seem to be paying dividends for Paintsville as they prepare for districts and hopefully their first appearance in the regional tournament since 2008. They close out the regular season on the road with Prestonsburg and Pikeville.

 

13. Betsy Layne (10-17) – The Bobcats went 1-2 in week 11 with a win vs. Jenkins and losses to Magoffin County and Greenup County. Betsy Layne is young and has played well in spurts, thus could pull an upset in districts. They close out the regular season at Johnson Central then home against Jenkins.

 

14. Prestonsburg (6-20) – The Blackcats went 0-3 in Week 11 with losses to Allen Central, Magoffin County, and East Ridge (all by double digits). Prestonsburg joined Piarist at the 20 loss mark on the season and will look to rebuild next year as they close out the regular season with Paintsville and Belfry. They have played South Floyd close this year and will met them in the district opener at Allen Central.

 

15. Phelps (6-18) – the Hornets are young and play very hard. They were able to pick up a win in week 11, but with a 1-14 record in region don’t look for many more. Phelps will continue to get better with each passing year and if they can keep their players at home, will be a factor in the 60th District very soon.

 

16. Piarist (0-21) – Piarist missed their best chance at a win against Riverside Christian at home. They will finish the season winless and close with Allen Central and South Floyd in the regular season before facing Pikeville in districts. Tough year on the Knights.

 

Agree or Disagree?

[Cash-Money]

15th Region,

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading your weekly rankings and the summary for each team. I follow this region a lot and you are SPOT ON with your summaries. The rankings are so hard to do with seems like all the parody especially with the middle of the pack teams. However, each week you subjectively produce a ranking that is hard to argue with!

[15th Region]

15th Region,

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading your weekly rankings and the summary for each team. I follow this region a lot and you are SPOT ON with your summaries. The rankings are so hard to do with seems like all the parody especially with the middle of the pack teams. However, each week you subjectively produce a ranking that is hard to argue with!

 

Thank you very much! Im glad you enjoy the updates and watching mountain basketball! This should be an interesting tournament at the EXPO, but LC is the clear favorite with some others charging late!

[Cash-Money]

Lawrence Co. IS the clear favorite. However, ANYTHING can happen come March. I still think either of the two teams or maybe both from the 57th District will put up a fight before it is all over depending on the draw. Although the Bulldogs put up a good fight last in the region finals they have had their problems in the past seasons. Also Lawrence Co and Magoffin Co are looking to finally find a way to win the BIG one that sends you to Rupp, something Johnson Central has seemed to have no problem with. Should be a great tourney at the expo!