The 2015-16 Kentucky High School Basketball postseason play is here. The season seemed like it flew by. The 14^th Region has had some good games and not so good games, some mysteries all season long, now let’s look ahead to the 2015-16 district tournaments.

 

 

53^rd District:

Jenkins High School

Feb. 22-25

Feb. 22 Letcher County Central @ Jenkins

Feb. 23 Knott County Central vs. June Buchanan

Feb. 25 Championship

 

FAVORITE:

Letcher County Central (19-9):

The Cougars have ran wild through the district this season, finishing 5-1 with their lone loss coming to June Buchanan 60-58. Besides the 2 pt loss to JBS , the Cougars have won their district games by 10+. Letcher County Central has won 4 of their last 5 games and shouldn’t have a problem advancing to the district championship game and to the regional tournament.

 

 

Close Behind:

June Buchanan (18-8):

The Crusaders have had a great season in recent memory, finishing the season at 18-8 and have won 4 of their last 6 games but have dropped 2 straight. The Crusaders will open up with Knott Central on Tuesday night in what should be a dandy of a ball game. Both teams split the regular season, Knott Central defeated JBS 69-62 and JBS defeated Knott Central 44-41. JBS also owns a victory over favorite, Letcher Central. JBS is 4-2 against district opponents.

 

 

Keep an Eye On:

Knott County Central (11-13):

The Patriots are the 4x defending 14^th region champions but that’s region, this is districts, the Patriots have WON the district championship each year since the 2009-10 basketball season, that’s 7 straight district championships for the Patriots, will it be 8 or will their be a new champion crowned?

 

 

BRINGING UP THE REAR:

JENKINS (1-28):

The Cavaliers have only won 1 game this season.

 

 

54^th District:

Leslie County High School

Feb. 23-26

Feb. 23 Perry Central vs. Hazard

Feb. 24 Buckhorn @ Leslie County

Feb. 26 Championship

 

 

Favorite:

Perry County Central (21-4):

The Commodores have had a remarkable season and continue to show why they are and were the preseason favorite to win region and go to Rupp. The Commodores star player, Braxton Beverly, transferred to Hargrave Academy in VA during the offseason, in what came as a big shock to the 14^th region but that didn’t stop the Commodores from doing what they do best, WIN, WIN, WIN. The Commodores finished the season 21-4, undefeated in region play and district play. Perry Central has won 2 straight and 9 of their last 10 games heading into post season play.

 

 

Right Behind:

HAZARD (19-4):

The Bulldogs landed transfer, Dejour Frazier from OBI, during the season, which made them a better team. Frazier came to Hazard, averaging 24 points a game. Hazard has won 8 of their last 9 games, with their lone loss coming to, guess who? Crosstown rival, Perry County Central, the same team that they will meet in the first round of the district tournament to see who will go to the regional tournament.

 

 

Dark Horse:

BUCKHORN (15-14):

The Wildcats have struggled all season long but here lately have started to pick up steam, winning 7 of their last 8 games including a 3 game win streak. Buckhorn has even went toe to toe with the favorite, Perry Central in an 67-60 earlier season loss. Buckhorn has defeated Leslie County twice this season, the same team that they face in the opening round of the district tournament.

 

 

Surprise Team:

LESLE COUNTY (12-12):

Leslie County has had a decent season, the Eagles have won some good games, including a 63-55 win over Knott Central and they even stand at 7-2 at home but those two losses have came to district rivals, Hazard and Buckhorn.

 

 

55^th District:

Breathitt County High School

Feb. 22-26

Feb. 22 Wolfe County vs. Jackson City

Feb. 23 Riverside Christian @ Breathitt County

Feb. 26 Championship

 

 

Favorite:

BREATHITT COUNTY (18-12):

The Bobcats were struggling before ending the season on a 3 game win streak, prior to that, Breathitt County had went 1-5. The Bobcats have played great against district opponents this season, going 5-1 but that one loss came to up the hill, rival, Jackson City, but it was on JC’s home floor.

 

Fighting for 2^nd:

JACKSON CITY (12-15):

The Tigers had been struggling most of the season, in fact, they went 4-14 through the middle of January but since January 19^th, the Tigers have went 8-1 with wins over Wolfe County and Breathitt County, their district foes, Tigers only loss came to Hazard, @ Hazard, by 9. That loss is a big big surprise to most 14^th region fans.

 

 

Wolfe County (21-8):

Wolfe County started the season off 8-0 before hitting a 5 game skid but have since bounced back and have won 6 straight and 8 of their last 10 games but those two losses are to Jackson City and Breathitt County.

 

 

Way Back There:

Riverside Christian (2-25):

The Rams only wins have came against Piarist School.

 

 

56^th District:

Powell County High School

Feb. 23-25

Feb. 23 Owsley County @ Powell County’

Feb. 23 Estill County vs. Lee County

Feb. 25 Championship

 

 

Favorite:

POWELL COUNTY (12-15):

Although Powell County has won 12 games this season, they have struggled, Pirates are just 1-4 in their last 5 games as we head into the district tournaments next week. Pirates will open up with Owsley County, a team they demolished earlier in the season.

 

 

Close Behind:

ESTILL COUNTY (10-18):

The Engineers struggled all season long, in fact, they didn’t win their first game until December 20^th when they defeated Washington County in OT. They only won 2 games in all of December. Engineers have won 3 of their last 4 games.

 

 

 

On The Rise:

LEE COUNTY (9-18):

The Bobcats have struggled all year but despite late season losses they have been playing good. Lee County fell to Estill County by 30 earlier in the season but came within 6 of defeating the Engineers at home last week.

 

 

Bringing Up The Rear:

OWSLEY COUNTY (7-19):

The Owls have struggled all season and the future doesn’t look any brighter for the next several years.

 

 

14^th Region Top Players:

 

1. Torrell Carter (Letcher Central): The Junior forward is probably the best shooter in all of the region. Torrell has 735 of Letcher Central’s 1937 points on the season, averaging right at 28

points a game.

 

2. Connor Hoskins (Buckhorn) The senior guard from Buckhorn is having an outstanding year for the Wildcats, averaging 23 PPG a game (45% from 3; 97/203). Connor has a quick trigger, give him an inch of daylight and the shot is going up and it all but likely goes in.

 

3. Damon Tobler (Perry Central): The big man for the Commodores has helped lead Perry Central to the title “Favorite” as they have been the favorite to not only win their district but win their region. Tobler averages 14 points a game and 9 boards a game for the Dores.

 

4. Dejour Frazier (Hazard): In just 6 games since transferring to Hazard from OBI, Dejour has piled up a 105 points (averaging 18 a game) for the Bulldogs. With his presence, makes Hazard a much more dangerous team.

 

5. Griffin Wells (Hazard): Griffin, one of the big 3 for the Bulldogs is having a great year this season, averaging 11 points a game and 3 boards a game for the Bulldogs.

 

6. James Blair (Perry Central): The second leading scorer and rebounder for the Commodores at 14 ppg and 6 boards a game. Blair plays a big part in the Commodores role and has helped led them to a 21-4 record.

 

7. Josh Crank (Buckhorn): Senior guard for Buckhorn has helped Buckhorn to a 15-14 record. Crank is Buckhorn’s second leading scorer and has scored 372 points for the Horn.

 

8. Caleb Bonny (Estill County): The sophomore guard for Estill County is having an outstanding year, averaging right at 25 points a game is the work horse for this Engineer team.

 

9. Trystan Collect (Leslie County): In 22 games played, Trystan has scored a little over 230 points (11 PPG), also leads his team in rebounding with 8 boards a game.

 

10. Justin Baker (Breathitt County): Leading scorer for Breathitt County at 15 points a game. Justin along with Jordan Barnett are the two work horses that run this Bobcat team.

 

 

14^th Region Team Rankings:

1. Perry County Central

2. Cordia

3. Hazard

4. Letcher County Central

5. June Buchanan

6. Buckhorn

7. Breathitt County

8. Leslie County

9. Jackson City

10. Wolfe County

11. Knott County Central

12. Powell County

13. Estill County

14. Lee County

15. Owsley County

16. Jenkins

17. Riverside Christian

The PCC'ers probably feel Blair is higher than 6th in the region. I've heard a few of them comment that they think he's the top player in the region. Ive not seen Carter from LCC but to average 28 ppg means something. But I've seen Blair a couple of times and was very impressed.The Commodores Dunn is probably a top 5 player too.

 

I only saw Hazard's Frazier once, in the overtime loss to PCC a couple weeks ago, but he was great that night. I haven't seen all the players in the region but I doubt if there's anyone quicker going from point A to point B than him, and can do some serious elevating.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing the 14th region tournament. Should be some great games and talent.

I hate that two of the best teams have to play in the first round of the 54th. All districts should be seeded.

The PCC'ers probably feel Blair is higher than 6th in the region. I've heard a few of them comment that they think he's the top player in the region. Ive not seen Carter from LCC but to average 28 ppg means something. But I've seen Blair a couple of times and was very impressed.The Commodores Dunn is probably a top 5 player too.

 

I only saw Hazard's Frazier once, in the overtime loss to PCC a couple weeks ago, but he was great that night. I haven't seen all the players in the region but I doubt if there's anyone quicker going from point A to point B than him, and can do some serious elevating.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing the 14th region tournament. Should be some great games and talent.

I hate that two of the best teams have to play in the first round of the 54th. All districts should be seeded.

 

I was gonna ask you about the 55th? Why isn't it seeded? I know Breathitt usually runs rampid over the other teams in the district but for the most part they seem even this season other than Riverside.

I was gonna ask you about the 55th? Why isn't it seeded? I know Breathitt usually runs rampid over the other teams in the district but for the most part they seem even this season other than Riverside.

 

I didn't realize that they weren't seeded either.... Jackson City got a win over Breathitt earlier this year, which I thought would affect the post season brackets.

I was gonna ask you about the 55th? Why isn't it seeded? I know Breathitt usually runs rampid over the other teams in the district but for the most part they seem even this season other than Riverside.

The 55th is seeded. This is the first year for them.

The 54th is the only district in the 14th that doesn't seed.

The 55th is seeded. This is the first year for them.

The 54th is the only district in the 14th that doesn't seed.

 

Didn't know that.

Bye Bye Knott Central. JBS defeats the Pats by 3 tonight

 

Hazard and Perry are tied with 4 mins to play

Perry and Hazard are heeaded to OT