Overview: The top two teams in the region clashed in a game that did not disappoint, Belfry opens hot and remains the lone undefeated team in the region, and stars showed out in week two. Listed below are the rankings and breakdown of the week that was in the 15th Region!

 

Rankings (overall record):

1. (-) Johnson Central (2-1) – The Golden Eagles won their only contest in week two as they knocked off Shelby Valley (#2 ranked team in the region) on the road by a final of 56-53. Cory VanHoose paced three players in double figures with 17 points (Isaiah May 13 points, John King 11 points). In the game JC junior Bryson Hackney played exceptional defense on Mr. Basketball candidate Cody Potter, holding to him only one main FG as his primary defender (3/14 FG overall). JC was able to take control of the game in the fourth quarter on back to back 3FGs by Isaiah May as he went on a personal 8-0 run in a 40s span. From there, JC was able to hold on for the win despite some mistakes down the stretch. JC will travel to Gatlinburg in week three for the Gatlinburg-Pittman invitational where they open with Union, VA.

 

2. (-) Shelby Valley (3-2) – The Wildcats went 1-1 in week three with a dominating road win over Floyd Central 80-60 and a home loss to Johnson Central 53-56. In the Johnson Central game, Kaden Robinson paced the scoring with 18 while Cody Potter posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds despite a poor shooting night (only 3 made FG’s). This game featured the top two teams in the region and did not disappoint. Expect Valley to get better and make adjustments to JC’s defense when the two meet later in the season. Shelby Valley will host Pike Central then travel to the Hi-Tech Signs and Graphix Holiday Classic at Prestonsburg in week three (face Betsy Layne, Morgan County and Wolfe County). Week three will likely see four blowout wins.

 

3. (-) Pikeville (2-2) – The Panthers have their football players back and saw the return of big man Cade Byers (limited minutes) in week two. The result was a 1-1 record with a 59th district win over East Ridge 85-69 and loss to Bowling Green at Jackson County in the PRTC Classic by a final of 45-62. In the East Ridge game, Sophomore Rylee Sammons led with way with 27 points (6 made 3FG’s) but the big news was the injury to Zac Lockhart as he suffered what was reported as a broken leg (unconfirmed – prognosis unknown). Like Johnson Central, Pikeville will travel to the Gatlinburg-Pittman invitational where they open with Livingston Academy, TN. Before they leave they will host Jenkins in their second district game early in the season.

 

4. (-) Martin County (3-3) – The Cardinals went 1-2 in week two winning their opening game in WYMT Mountain Classic over Harlan Independent 65-51 before falling to fourth place by losing to both Hazard 40-52 and Knott Central 72-84. Trey James posted double-doubles in the first two contest, but the Cardinals were led in scoring by Brady Dingess in both games. Martin County has a ton of talent that will take some time to gel. The schedule gets no easier in week three as the Cardinals host Perry Central before traveling to the King of the Bluegrass tournament at Louisville Fairdale where they open with the host school.

 

5. (-) Paintsville (1-1) – The Tigers defeated Lawrence County on the road 61-56 in overtime in their only contest in week two. Despite trailing by 13 at halftime and double digits early in the fourth, the Tigers found a way to get the game into overtime and win going away. Paintsville was led in scoring by Braxton Tharp (18 points), as three Tigers hit double figures (Nick Keeton 17 points 14 rebounds / Colby Fugate 16 points on 18 shots). Paintsville has three very good players and will need to develop their bench to move up the rankings. Week three will see them play a huge district game at Magoffin County before going to the Derby City Jam at Pleasure Ridge Park where they open with the host. It will be a challenging week for the Tigers as they will only be favored in the Magoffin County game.

 

6. (Up 1) Lawrence County (3-3) – Despite going 1-2 in week two, the Bulldogs jump a spot with their win over Betsy Layne 87-73. The two losses came in the form of a 56-61 overtime contest to Paintsville and a 71-92 beat down at Boyd County. In the Paintsville game, Lawrence County failed to stay aggressive late and looked as if they were playing not to lose rather than playing to win. This allowed Paintsville to get back into the game and win late. Tyler Maynard continues to lead the way (averaging 18.5 ppg thus far) as the Bulldogs are currently one of two teams in the region with four players averaging double figures (Betsy Layne). In week three, Lawrence County will travel to Belfry before going to Raceland for the Derby Classic.

 

 

7. (Down 1) Betsy Layne (3-1) – The Bobcats dominated Lee County at home 93-50 before losing a seeded 58th District game to Lawrence County on the road 73-87 in week two. Like Lawrence County, Betsy Layne boasts four players averaging double figures led by high flyer Jordan Frazier at 18.5 ppg. The balanced scoring will be needed in week four as the Bobcats have four games. Phelps will be at home, then the Hi Tech Holiday Classic at Prestonsburg will match Betsy Layne against Morgan County, Shelby Valley and Wolfe County.

 

8. (-) Prestonsburg (3-1) – The Blackcats kept the momentum rolling in week two as they opened with a 65-61 win over Magoffin County, but came back to earth with a head scratching 61-77 loss on the road to East Ridge. Gunner Williams, Adam Slone and Graham Burchett led the Prestonsburg scoring in that order as Brent Roses squad plays a lot of players. Week three will see Floyd Central (58th District seeded game) on the road followed by Morgan County and Pike Central in their own Hi-Tech Holiday Classic. The Black Cats will be favored in all three contest this week.

 

9. (-) Phelps (3-3) – The Hornets are at .500, but only went 1-1 in week two with a loss to Hazard 55-61 and a win over Harlan Independent 80-55. The other win was a forfeit posted in advance for a contest versus Piarist scheduled for Tuesday of week three. Trey Francis is averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds early in the season and looks to keep it going in week three as his team travels to Gatlinburg for the Smoky Mountain Classic where they open with Forest, FL.

 

10. (Up 1) Belfry (3-0) – Belfry opened week two hot, going 3-0 (played no games in week one). The Pirates knocked off East Ridge, Letcher Central and Bath County (only road game). Thus far Austin Hager and Sal Dean have led the way for the Pirates by both averaging over 14 points a game. Mark Thompsons squad will look to keep it rolling in week three as they host Lawrence County before traveling to the Kentucky Bank Challenge at Rowan County where they face Lawrence County and St. Francis.

 

11. (Down 1) Magoffin County (1-2) – The Hornets lost to Prestonsburg 61-65 in their only contest during week two. Randy Baily paced four Hornets in double figures, as Grayson Whitaker posted a career high 11 points (8th grader). The Hornets are young, but will need to get more production and minutes from their bench to be a factor later in the season. Their style is fun to watch and will be tested in week three as they host Paintsville, Pike Central and Jenkins. If this Hornet squad wants respect, they will have a chance to get it versus Paintsville in a huge 57th District game.

 

12. (-) Pike Central (2-4) – The Hawks struggled in week two, going 0-3 with a home loss to Grundy, VA and two double digit losses in the WYMT Classic to Clay County and Knox Central. Pike Central will be on the road in week three against Shelby Valley, Magoffin County and Prestonsburg (Hi Tech Holiday Classic). They will not be favored in any of the games.

 

13. (-) East Ridge (1-3) – The Warriors lost their first two games of the week on the road to Belfry and Pikeville by exactly 16 points. They were able to bounce back with a surprise win at home over a hot Prestonsburg team 77-61. So far this season, East Ridge has three players in double figures with a fourth averaging 9.7. This team has some talent and should improve as the year goes on. Week three will see the Warriors travel to Grundy, VA, host Piarist (if the show up), then travel to the Derby Classic at Raceland.

 

14. (-) Floyd Central (1-4) – Floyd Central were defeated 60-80 in their only game in week two. It will be a few years before the Jag’s are competitive with the better teams in the region. Week three will see Prestonsburg and Jenkins come to the den. At least one win is expected and the Prestonsburg game should field a great crowd in a seeded district game.

 

15. (-) Jenkins (0-3) – The Cavaliers lost to Jackson City 51-80 in their only contest in week two. It seems another long year is in the works. Week two will see Rye Cove, VA, Pikeville, Magoffin County and Floyd Central on the docket as Jenkins has a four game road trip. Don’t expect any of the games to be competitive.

 

16. (-) Piarist (0-1) - The Knights have yet to post a score for any game, but have already forfeited against Phelps on Tuesday of this coming week. Only seven more games remain on the schedule.

 

Agree or Disagree?

Bump.