Overview: Harvest Prep, OH defeated the top two teams in the region by double digits, Martin County and Paintsville continue to struggle in Holiday Tournaments against good competition and Magoffin County might be a surprise dark horse in the 57th District and regional tournament. Below are the rankings in the 15th Region after four weeks of play!

 

Rankings (overall record):

1. (-) Johnson Central (6-3) – The Golden Eagles were 2-1 in week three with wins over Perry Central 78-58 and Sayre 74-72 and a loss to a Harvest Prep, OH 66-81. In the Sayre game, JC led by 27-points midway through the third quarter, before squandering the lead and holding on late with free throws. Isaiah May (over 21 ppg – teams leading rebounder) and Cory VanHoose (over 17 ppg) continue to carry the load for JC as they head into district play. In week five, they will host Martin County in a huge 57th District contest before traveling to Russell. JC will be favored in both games.

 

2. (-) Shelby Valley (9-3) – Shelby Valley went 2-1 in week three with wins over West Carter 60-58 (Cody Potter tip in win at buzzer) and Perry Central 77-60 (trailed in 2nd half before pulling away) and a loss to Harvest Prep, OH 65-87 (CJ Anthony for Harvest Prep scored 46 points on gym record 10 made 3FG’s – game played at Belfry). Mr. Basketball candidate Cody Potter continues to show out, averaging 26 ppg and 9.9 rpg while shooting nearly 44% from deep, but has been getting steady help from Kaden Robinson and Eli Sykes who are both averaging double figures. Along with JC, Shelby Valley has separated themselves from the rest of the region at this point in the year. In week five, Shelby Valley will have a showdown with Pikeville and a full week to prepare.

 

3. (-) Pikeville (6-4) – The Panthers won the Pikeville Invitational this week with wins over Scott 78-65 and Southern 77-57 in what might have been the weakest field in tournament history. Rylee Sammons (16.2 ppg) and Laithan Hall (10.9 ppg) lead the team through week four. A Huge test looms for this young Panther squad as they host Shelby Valley in week five. They will be underdogs at home.

 

4. (-) Martin County (5-8) – Martin County went 1-2 in the Traditional Bank Classic in week four with losses to Lexington Catholic 55-81 and Dunbar 29-49 and a win over Madison Central 57-45. In the Madison Central game, senior guard Braxton Maynard (returned to team after leaving last week at KOB) got hot in the 2nd half, hitting multiple long range shots to help the team pull away. Overall Martin County has lost seven of their last nine as they enter district and regional play. Week five will let us know if the tough early season schedule has paid off as they travel to regional favorite Johnson Central for a key 57th District showdown. They will also travel to Knott Central where they lost by double digits earlier in the year.

 

5. (Up 1) Lawrence County (7-6) – The Bulldogs went 1-2 in week four with losses to Ashland and Scott County and a win against Lewis County in the Ashland Invitational Tournament. Despite losing three of their last four, Lawrence moves up one spot as they played well at times against some of the better teams in the state and those teams below them have done little to help their cause. Week five will see Lawrence County face Belfry in the opening round of the 2A Championship.

 

6. (Down 1) Paintsville (3-6) – The Tigers went 1-2 in week four with losses to Beechwood 50-57 and Louisville Central 59-64 and a win against Cooper 41-40 (breaking a five game losing streak). Paintsville’s three wins are by a combine seven points (five-point win was in overtime after trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter). The Tigers could easily be 0-9 on the season as they are led by Colby Fugate’s volume scoring and Nick Keeton and Braxton Tharp’s rebounding and defense. It will not get any easier in week five as Paintsville travels to Montgomery County before facing Oldham County at GRC. This team will need to develop more bench production and find an identity to compete with the top teams in the region.

 

7. (-) Betsy Layne (8-3) – The Bobcats went 3-0 in week four with wins over Raceland, Owsley County and Buckhorn all by double digits. This team has five solid starters and is developing their bench well. This team will face two stiff challenges on the road in week five as they travel to Prestonsburg and Magoffin County. The Prestonsburg game is huge for seeding in a competitive 58th District.

 

8. (Up 3) Magoffin County (5-4) – The Hornets made the biggest jump in week four as they went 2-1 with wins over Whitley County and West Carter and a loss to a very good Harvest Prep team in which they only trailed by 4 at the half. The Hornets have three solid guards who can all dribble, pass and shoot in Aden Barnett, Isaiah Salyer and Grayson Whitaker, a lock down defender in Mason Lovely, a solid big man in Randy Bailey and two excellent role players coming off the bench to include Lucas Litteral. In short, this is a complete team who could be scary when the figure out how to win and gain their full confidence. The Hornets will open the 2A Classic with Pike Central before hosting Betsy Layne in week five. There is plenty to be excited about from this squad and only one is a senior!

 

9. (Down 1) Prestonsburg (6-4) – The Blackcats went 0-3 at the Sunshine Classic in Daytona in week four. They will be back in action in week five with a huge home game against Betsy Layne that should see a great crowd. This game is pivotal for seeding in the 58th District and will have a tournament atmosphere.

 

10. (-) Belfry (6-3) – The Pirates went 2-1 in their own Mountain School Boy Classic in week four with wins over Perry Central and Twin Valley, VA and a loss to West Carter. Capital, WV transfer Sal Dean is leading the team in scoring at 14.0 ppg as Belfry is now the favorite in the 60th District. In week five, Belfry will begin the 2A Classic in a rematch with Lawrence County (lost 81-94 at Lawrence County in week two).

 

11. (Down 2) Phelps (5-7) – The Hornets went 1-1 in week four with a loss to Sayre 57-60 and a win over Whitley County 60-49 (both games at the Mountain School Boy Classic at Belfry). Trey Francis continues to lead the way as he is averaging 18.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg. This team is heavy in upper classmen and will be difficult to beat in the 60th District. Week five will see an easy win as they travel to Twin Valley, VA.

 

12. (-) East Ridge (2-7) – The Warriors lost their only contest in week four in the form of a 49-63 outcome versus Harlan County. East Ridge has three players currently averaging double figures with Eli Rose and Isaac Woods both at 12.0 ppg. Week five will likely see another win as East Ridge will travel to Jenkins for a 59th District seeded game.

 

13. (-) Pike Central (3-10) – The Hawks went 1-3 in week four with a 50-49 win over Floyd Central on the road. The team plays hard and works to together on the floor, but have lost a majority of their games by double digits. In week five they face Magoffin County in the 2A Classic. Magoffin County beat them 19 points earlier in season.

 

14. (-) Floyd Central (3-8) – The Jaguars were able to pick up a win over Pisgah, AL in week four at the King of the Smokies Tournament at Pigeon Forge, TN. This young squad will be back in action again in week six as they have no games scheduled for week five (They drew a bye in the 2A Classic and await their opponent).

 

15. (-) Jenkins (0-7) – Jenkins did not play in week four and will host East Ridge in a 59th District contest in week five. Payton Rose is averaging 15.9 ppg as one of the few bright spots for the Cavaliers. They will most likely have only one more legitimate chance to pick up a win this season and that will not come until mid-February.

 

16. (-) Piarist (0-1) – The Knights have yet to play an official contest and it is still unclear if they will participate in any games this season. Early indications say they will not.

 

Agree or Disagree?

Edited December 30, 20196 yr by 15th Region

Bump.