Johnson Central Lady Eagles defeat Lady Panthers for the right to play region 3 winner. Great game to watch as JC led the entire way except for the first few minutes of the game as Pikeville opened with a made 3FG. The Lady Panthers fought all the way back after trailing by double-digits to tie the game late in the fourth but could not get over the hump. Two big FT's and then a driving lay-up by Kelci Blair (game tied) sealed the win for the Lady Eagles. Alania Castle for JC was named tournament MVP. Congratulations to Pikeville on a tremendous season. Congratulations to JC as they are now 16-3 this calendar season after opening the year 4-9. They knocked off the two regional favorites (Shelby Valley and Pikeville) on their way to this title. Shelby Valley had only been defeated by one other team in the state prior to the JC loss (Murray in All-A State Championship).

 

Other tidbits:

(1) JC now has more 15th Region Titles than any other school (10 - was tied with Sheldon Clark at 9).

 

(2) Darrin Rice (JC Head Coach) now has 3 regional titles (2 with JC and one with Sheldon Clark). He is the only coach in 15th Region History to win 15th Region Titles with multiple schools. Took both programs to their only elite 8 appearances as well.

 

(3) Christy Orem (Pikeville Head Coach) has led 3 different teams to regional title games in 3 different regions (11th - Scott County, 16th - Fleming County, 15th - Pikeville)

 

(4) Pikeville has no seniors on the entire roster and Johnson Central has only one senior so both will be very strong regional contenders next season.

Johnson Central Lady Eagles defeat Lady Panthers for the right to play region 3 winner. Great game to watch as JC led the entire way except for the first few minutes of the game as Pikeville opened with a made 3FG. The Lady Panthers fought all the way back after trailing by double-digits to tie the game late in the fourth but could not get over the hump. Two big FT's and then a driving lay-up by Kelci Blair (game tied) sealed the win for the Lady Eagles. Alania Castle for JC was named tournament MVP. Congratulations to Pikeville on a tremendous season. Congratulations to JC as they are now 16-3 this calendar season after opening the year 4-9. They knocked off the two regional favorites (Shelby Valley and Pikeville) on their way to this title. Shelby Valley had only been defeated by one other team in the state prior to the JC loss (Murray in All-A State Championship).

 

Other tidbits:

(1) JC now has more 15th Region Titles than any other school (10 - was tied with Sheldon Clark at 9).

 

(2) Darrin Rice (JC Head Coach) now has 3 regional titles (2 with JC and one with Sheldon Clark). He is the only coach in 15th Region History to win 15th Region Titles with multiple schools. Took both programs to their only elite 8 appearances as well.

 

(3) Christy Orem (Pikeville Head Coach) has led 3 different teams to regional title games in 3 different regions (11th - Scott County, 16th - Fleming County, 15th - Pikeville)

 

(4) Pikeville has no seniors on the entire roster and Johnson Central has only one senior so both will be very strong regional contenders next season.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

JC's really gotten their act together since I saw them a couple of months ago. They came to Flatwoods and got clocked pretty good by Russell. At the time, I never would have thought they'd end up winning the 15th. They've come a long way. I don't really know anything about their potential 1st round opponents, but it doesn't look like either Owensboro Catholic and Muhlenberg are among the state's elite. A 1st round win for JC is certainly not out of the question. The 2nd round, though... Yikes!!! Either #1 Mercer County or #4 Murray awaits.