Overview: There are no undefeated teams left in the 15th Region and the teams at the top remain unchanged. Timmy Dalton and Mason Blair continue to light up the scoring column and tempers flare in the opening game of the 57th District as Magoffin traveled to Paintsville. Let’s see how the rankings pan out after 3 weeks of play.

 

1. Johnson Central (6-1) – Head Coach Tommy McKenzie and the Golden Eagles went 2-1 in week three with wins over Shelby Valley (75-49) and East Ridge (79-60) and a loss on the road to Perry Central (81-87). In the Shelby Valley game senior standout Mason Blair scored 41 points on 16/19 shooting (9/12 3FG) in 22 minutes of play. In fact, when Blair came out of the game he had 41 points and Shelby Valley had 40 points. The all-around good play would continue for JC as they next faced East Ridge. The game would see JC lead by as many as 32 in the 3rd and sophomore PG Jacob Rice score a career high 23 points on 8/10 shooting. In the final game of the week, JC would drop its first contest of the season with a loss at Perry Central. Mason Blair went for 34 and Cole Crace added 25, but the Golden Eagles could not overcome a slow start despite winning the final three quarters. In week four JC will travel to the Derby Classic in Raceland where they will open with Greenup County. A rematch of the season opener (JC won at Greenup 80-74).

 

2. Sheldon Clark (4-2) – The Cardinals were 16th Region warriors as they faced stiff competition from two quality teams on the road in the week three. Led by senior standout Dylan James, Sheldon Clark was first able to defeat a talented, big, West Carter squad 75-68 in the Kentucky Bank Shootout at Rowan County. In the game, James went for 30 points and 10 rebounds on 7/13 3FG. Coach J.J. James would take his squad back to Rowan County the next night to face the host school. Despite leading most of the game, the Cardinals would falter late when James turned his ankle in the 2nd half and was unable to return to full strength. The final score was 78-83 Rowan County despite James dropping in 21 in limited time. Senior Shawn Moore added 18 and senior Bradley Dalton scored 17 (5 made 3FG), putting three Cardinals in double figures on the contest. Sheldon Clark will open district play in week four with Paintsville at home on Monday and Magoffin County at home on Thursday. They will then head to Lexington Catholic to play in the Traditional Bank Holiday Classic (open with Russellville). Important week for district placement to say the least!

 

3. Magoffin County (6-3) – Despite losing sharp shooting sophomore guard Brady Whitaker (left team – undisclosed reasons), the Hornets were still able to go 3-1 in week three. Magoffin County first picked up a win at home versus Allen Central (64-55) and followed it up with wins on the road versus Prestonsburg (65-42) and Paintsville (68-48). In the Allen Central game, senior standouts Trenton Russell and Jaren Lovely scored 27 and 24 respectively as Magoffin welcomed back senior big man Dalton Peters from a football injury. Peters will provide valuable defense, rebounding and depth to the team. In the final game of the week, the Hornets would fall to one of the 16th Region favorites in Elliott County (59-74 – played at Prestonsburg). Stats on the final three games of the week were unavailable at time of print, but in the 57th District opener, tempers flared as three technicals were issued between both teams. Needless to say it was a very physical ball game, a war even, and perhaps a preview of what 57th action is to look like as the season progresses. In week five, Magoffin will have Sheldon Clark on the road on Thursday in a game that has huge seeding implications. Should be a packed house!

 

4. Pikeville (3-1) – The Panthers were untested prior to week three and opened with a win over Evangel Christian 82-39 in the Pikeville Invitational. In the second game of the week, Pikeville hosted Capitol Christian Academy, MD in the championship of the P.I.T. and did more than hold their own. Capitol Christian had just defeated state contender Pulaski County in the first round of the tournament (Steven Fitzgerald did not play) and the Panthers had them tied 65-65 going into the 4th quarter. Pikeville would lose 75-81, but showed they should be taken serious in the region by the outstanding play of junior Wyatt Battaile. The Panthers will be on the road versus South Laurel Monday and Madison Southern Tuesday in week four. This week will tell us if they deserve to be in the top three as we have yet to see enough good competition to make the determination (although they did look good this past week at home).

5. Lawrence County (7-4) – Four games during week three of competition and senior standout Timmy Dalton has put up the following scoring outputs (41, 41, 39, 40) while averaging 10 plus rebounds a game from a perimeter position. The do-it-all combo guard led the Bulldogs to a big district opener win or the road at Pike Central 72-69 and followed it up with a win at Lewis County 84-67. The competition did not let up as LC next played two games on the same day in Rowan County with a substantial break between games. Both were losses (70-72 vs. Madison Southern: 69-80 vs. Southwestern) but Lawrence County as in them until late. The question with the Bulldogs is can Timmy Dalton keep up such a workload? Scoring 79 in a single day is impressive, but the supporting cast is going to need to contribute as game minutes will pile up. Week four will see Lawrence County travel to the Derby Classic in Raceland where they will open with Fairview Monday night.

 

6. South Floyd (4-2) – The Raiders went 2-1 in week three with wins at home over Hazard 72-63 and on the road in 58th District play vs. Prestonsburg 90-60. J.R. Tackett scored 21 in both victories while Brady Conn had 21 and 18 respectively to go with at least 10 rebounds in both contest. The only set back came against a well coached Powell County team at home 72-74 (Tackett had 19 and Brady Conn had a monster game with 23 points and 19 rebounds). The one-two punch of Tackett and Conn make South Floyd one of the favorite dark horses in the region as they continue to develop solid chemistry throughout the season. Week four will see the Raiders compete in the Gatlinburg-Pittman Invitational

 

7. Belfry (3-1) – Belfry dropped their first game of the season on the road at Letcher Central 58-79 but bounced back with a win at home versus Betsy Layne 78-44. Koleston Blankenship and Cameron Catron both scored in double figures in both games during the week. It might take a few games to get the football out of the players, but there is no doubt Belfry has a ton of athletes all over the floor. This team could be scary and move up the rankings as the season continues.

 

8. East Ridge (5-3) – The East Ridge Warriors went 3-1 in week three with wins over Piarist, Prestonsburg, and Betsy Layne all by at least 15 points. Their only loss came against Johnson Central 60-79. The fighting Randy McCoy’s do not play in week four as they prepare for the Mountain School Boy Classic at Belfry in week five. This team rarely beats its self and will be give themselves a chance late with very deliberate offense.

 

9. Paintsville (3-1) – The Tigers dropped their home opener in 57th District play to Magoffin County 48-68 in a very competitive game that saw multiple technical fouls (Chris Allen, Darren Morris, Landon Slone from Paintsville per reports). Paintsville bounced back with an overtime win against Shelby Valley as Seth Williams hit a 3FG to force the extra frame. Look for the physical play to continue as Paintsville travels to one of the 15th Region favorites Sheldon Clark to resume district play. Week four will also see the Tigers travel to the Gatlinburg-Pittman Invitational.

 

10. Pike Central (5-3) – The Hawks went 2-2 in week three with a wins on the road versus June Buchanan and at home versus Cabell-Midland, WV and losses to Lawrence County at home (60th District opener) and on the road at Knott Central (blow out fashion). Pike Central seems to be slowly adjusting to their new coach as they are up and down despite having good talent and experience in Conn, Wallace, and Eads. The Hawks will play in the Berea Invitational in week four.

 

11. Shelby Valley (6-3) – Three games in week three and three losses for the Wildcats. The young squad did well against weaker competition in earlier weeks, but as the opponents got tougher, the score differential got larger. Shelby Valley lost to Johnson Central on the road (49-75) in a game Mason Blair almost outscored them by himself despite not playing the 4th quarter, then to Elliott County (43-71) and Paintsville (56-59 - overtime) both at Prestonsburg in the Hi-Tech Graphics Holiday Classic. In the Paintsville game, SV lead by 5 with the ball with just over 1 minute to play in regulation, but inexperience and poor free-throw shooting allowed the Tigers to hit a 3FG to force overtime where they would eventually lose. Shelby Valley should get back in the win column in week four as they face June Buchanan (on the road) for the second time this season. They may take some lumps this year, but this team has a bright future!

 

12. Allen Central (3-3) – In week three, Allen Central lost to Magoffin County on the road 55-64 then picked up a home win versus June Buchanan 70-55. The Rebels are playing better as the season progresses. They are a physical team with excellent young talent like freshman Ethan Smith-Mills. Look for a steady performance in week four as Allen Central travels south for the Gatlinburg-Pittman Invitational.

 

13. Phelps (2-4) – The Hornets won their only game in week three with a 55-41 win versus Betsy Layne on the road. Christian Mounts in athletic as they come and fun to watch play. Phelps might make some noise come 60th District Tournament time as they continue to improve every game. Week four will see Phelps travel Raceland and host Riverside Christian. Don’t be surprised if they pick up two more wins and even their record on the season.

 

14. Prestonsburg (1-7) – The Blackcats lost to Magoffin County, East Ridge, and Elliott County all in blow-out fashion in week three. They have Fleming County on the road in week four and it’s beginning to look like the two Piarist games might be the only wins on the season. The Blackcats have potential with their young players and middle school aged players, but one starts to wonder if the losing will take it’s toll and the new Floyd County Central school (next year) will begin to look more attractive.

 

15. Betsy Layne (0-8) – East Ridge, Belfry, and Phelps all defeated the Bobcats in week three. Perhaps the Bobcats will pick up their first win of the season in the Gatlinburg-Pittman Invitational this week. They do not play Piarist so no win is certain this season but they do have a bright spot in Grant Orsborn who is averaging in double figures through eight games.

 

16. Piarist (0-9) – Week three saw two more losses for the Knights. Another long season is in the works.

 

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