Overview: Two players reached the 1,000 career rebound mark, another sophomore scored hit the 1,000 career point mark, Martin County takes down Johnson Central, again, and Paintsville drops its first game to 15th Region competition. Listed below are the rankings and recap after nine weeks of play.

 

Rankings (overall record):

1. (Up 2) Shelby Valley (17-5) – Mix a 2-0 week nine record and the fact every top team below them took a loss and you get Shelby Valley returning to the top spot this week. The Wildcats were able to knock off Belfry and East Ridge in blow out fashion behind back-to-back 30-point 10-rebound performances by Cody Potter. In week ten, Shelby Valley will travel to Pike Central and Jenkins where they will be heavy favorites. It’s unlikely they will be challenged until the final game of the regular season versus Johnson Central.

 

2. (Down 1) Johnson Central (14-8) – The Golden Eagles opened week nine on the road with their second loss of the season to Martin County in a game they led with less than two minutes to play. They closed the week at home by handing cross-town rival Paintsville their first loss against regional competition in form of a double digit win. The Paintsville game could have been much worse as JC was very inefficient on offense, missing lots of easy, uncontested, shots. Standout Junior Isaiah May posted games of 23 points and 10 rebounds and 24 points 5 rebounds 6 assists in both games respectively. Cory VanHoose posted an 18 point 10 rebound performance against Paintsville. JC has no inside presence and really plays five guards most of the contest. This makes teams like Martin County bad match-ups against them if they those teams are able to play with the lead. Johnson Central is still very talented and will be a factor come post season. In week ten they will most Perry Central (defeated them 78-58 earlier in the season at Belfry) then travel to Belfry.

 

3. (Down 1) Paintsville (11-10) – The Tigers went 1-1 in week ten with an 84-73 win over Magoffin County and a 47-57 loss at Johnson Central. In the Magoffin County game, Colby Fugate posted 38 points and Nick Keeton dropped 34 points and 15 rebounds. Collectively those two players almost beat Magoffin by themselves. The Johnson Central loss was the first of the season against regional competition for Paintsville. They will look to bounce back against Belfry in week ten. The top seed in the 57th district will likely be determined when Paintsville and Martin County face each other on Valentine’s Day.

 

4. (Up 1) Martin County (10-12) – Martin County opened the week at home with a huge win against rival Johnson Central and were poised to get to either the number one or two spot in the region. Following the win, however, the Cardinals lost a head scratcher to Beth Haven, WV. A team they had defeated 87-53 at home earlier in the season. They would close out the week with a dominating win at home over Belfry where they remain undefeated on the season. The up’s and down’s of this team are hard to figure out but we do know they have a ton of talent despite having a losing record. This was evident as junior standout Trey James not only signed to play basketball with Wake Forest, but also picked up his 1,000 career rebound ball. In week ten the Cardinals will face Lawrence County, Magoffin County and Somerset. Three tough games. It’s hard to predict this team, but don’t be surprised if they win all of them.

 

5. (Down 1) Pikeville (12-8) – The Panthers went 2-0 in week nine and drop a spot with the big wins and movement above them (primarily Martin County knocking off Johnson Central for the second time this season). Despite losing their backcourt to injury, Pikeville has found a way to win ball games, knocking off Magoffin County and Madison Central at home. Rylee Sammons has returned and scored 21 against Madison Central so there is good news on the injury front. In week ten, Pikeville will face South Laurel as they close out a three game home stand.

 

6. (-) Lawrence County (15-8) – The Bulldogs have the second most wins in the region and have won five in a row to include a 3-0 week nine. The only head scratcher during the win streak is that it took overtime to knock off a weak Floyd Central team at home. A worse Floyd Central team than the 5-win squad that eliminated them on their home floor in districts last season. During this week, Cody Maynard became the third sophomore this season to hit the 1,000-point club (fifth sophomore in the last two seasons in the 15th Region). Week ten will be challenging as the Bulldogs face Martin County at home and Floyd Central and Betsy Layne on the road. Lawrence County is currently in the top spot in the 58th District with only Betsy Layne having a chance to overtake them.

 

7. (-) Magoffin County (12-10) – The Hornets went 1-2 in week nine with losses to a hobbled Pikeville team and Paintsville on the road and a win at home over Floyd Central. In the Paintsville game, Magoffin featured a 3-2 zone that allowed for lots of open shots with no inside presence as well. Magoffin got themselves down by over 20 points before switching to man and a making a “too little, too late” furious comeback. This team will likely finish last in a loaded 57th District, but is still very talented and capable of beating anyone on a given night. Week ten will see them face Martin County on the road where no one has beat them all season.

 

8. (-) Phelps (13-10) – The Hornets went 3-0 in week nine with wins over Riverview, WV, East Ridge, KY and Twin Valley, VA as they completed the tristate sweep. Trey Francis recorded his first career triple double in the Twin Valley game with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 10 steals. Francis also crossed the career 1,000 rebound mark this week from the guard position. Phelps will host Hurley, VA and travel to Belfry in week 10 as they look to take control of the 60th District and get a bye into the regional tournament (top seed plays Piarist who forfeited the season).

 

9. (-) Betsy Layne (13-7) – The Bobcats have won four in a row after losing four in a row to include going 3-0 in week nine with wins over Pike Central, Prestonsburg and Lee County. Along with Lawrence County, Betsy Layne is tied for the top seed in the 58th District. This seed will likely be determined this week as Betsy Layne host Floyd Central and travels to Lawrence County in week ten.

 

10. (Up 1) Belfry (7-10) – The Pirates jump one spot as they swap positions with Prestonsburg after defeating them 80-66 at home. Despite the win, Belfry did go 1-2 in week nine with losses to Shelby Valley and Martin County. Capital, WV transfer Sal Dean continues to lead this team despite being so young. He is fun to watch and is currently averaging 16.9 ppg on the season. Belfry plays hard and is expected to be a factor in the regional tournament as the 60th District is very weak. Belfry has a tough week ten as they host both Paintsville and Johnson Central and travel to district rival Phelps.

 

11. (Down 1) Prestonsburg (6-12) – The Black Cats went 0-3 in week nine and have now lost 11 games in a row after opening the season 6-1. They were competitive against 58th District rival Betsy Layne in a key district game late, but got down big mid-way through the third. This team is young and has a ton of potential, but can’t seem to close out quality teams down the stretch. In week ten they will hopefully get back on the win train as they host East Ridge and travel to Knox Central. They are expected to go 1-1.

 

12. (-) East Ridge (6-13) – The Warriors went 1-2 in week nine with losses to Phelps and Shelby Valley in non-competitive games and win over Jenkins by more than 30-points. This team shoots a lot of threes and when they are on can play with any team for a quarter or two. Consistency is the biggest challenge they have. In week ten they will face Letcher Central and Prestonsburg away from home as they close out a four game road trip.

 

13. (-) Pike Central (6-16) – The Hawks were 1-2 in week nine with a win over Floyd Central and losses to Betsy Layne and Buckhorn. The Betsy Layne game was closer than expected (54-57) as this scrappy team continues to improve game by game. In a weak 60th District, they could surprise someone in the opening round of the tournament. This week they have Shelby Valley and Letcher Central.

 

14. (-) Floyd Central (4-16) – The Jaguars dropped all three games in week ten, losing to Pike Central, Lawrence County and Magoffin County. Surprisingly, the Lawrence County game went into overtime (on the road) as Floyd Central lost 76-78. Last season a five win Floyd Central knocked off Lawrence County on their home floor in the 58th District opener. This could be a first round district matchup this season as well. Could history possibly repeat its self?

 

15. (-) Jenkins (0-16) – The Cavaliers dropped their only game of the week by losing to East Ridge 42-75. They will not offer much resistance in week ten as they face Magoffin County, June Buchanan and Shelby Valley. Week eleven will be the next best chance for a victory.

 

16. (-) Piarist (0-1) – The season has been cancelled and the winner of the 60th district regular season crown will get a bye into the district championship and subsequent regional tournament. Currently that team is Phelps with a 2-0 District record.

 

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Bump.