BluegrassPreps.com 15th Region Boys Basketball Preview

15th Region Boys' Basketball Preview 

 

1. Pikeville (17-12): After reaching the 2019-20 15th Region Boys' Basketball Tournament Semifinals, Pikeville has reloaded. Junior forward Rylee Samons (16.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg) is back to lead the Panthers. But Samons isn't alone. Along with Samons, Pikeville, under the direction of head coach Elisha Justice, returns juniors Nick Robinson (10.3 ppg) and Laithan Hall (9.1 ppg).  

The Panthers added junior forward Lukas Manns (10.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg), a transfer from Betsy Layne, over the offseason. 

 

2. Johnson Central (17-12): After missing out on advancing to the 15th Region Boys' Basketball Tournament, perennial title contender Johnson Central returns all five starters. The senior duo of Isaiah May (G, 20.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Cory VanHoose (F/G, 18.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg) will lead the Golden Eagles, again. May, VanHoose, additional seniors John King (9.3 ppg, 5.0) and Bryson Hackney (4.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and junior Grant Rice (4.9 ppg) make up Johnson Central's starting five. Juniors Ryleh McKenzie (G) and Conner Lemaster (F) are the top reserves back for the Golden Eagles. 

 

3. Paintsville (15-14): Former state champion Paintsville lost top rebounder Nick Keeton (15.4 ppg, 12.3 rpg) to graduation but returns leading scorer Colby Fugate (22.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg), a junior. 

In addition to Fugate, senior Braxton Tharp (10.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg), junior Baron Ratliff (4.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and another senior Ryan Gibson (2.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg), return for the Tigers. 

Paintsville, which finished runner-up to Martin County in the 57th District last season, added senior Mason Lovely (Magoffin County) through a transfer over the offseason.  

 

4. Martin County (22-12): Following the departure of senior center Trey James to Rick Pitino-coached Iona, reigning 15th Region champion Martin County dropped from its spot in the 15th Region. But Martin County will still look to repeat as 15th Region champion. Junior guard Brady Dingess (16.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg) is the top player back for the Cardinals. Along with Dingess, Martin County returns senior guard Jordan Dalton (6.7 ppg) and sophomore forward Parker Davis. During the offseason, Martin County added junior guard Jacob Butcher, a transfer from Johnson Central. 

 

5. Magoffin County (15-15): After finishing 15-15 in back-to-back seasons, experienced Magoffin County has four of its top six scorers back. Sophomore guard Aden Barnett (19.2 ppg), senior guard Isaiah Salyer (14.7 ppg) and freshman guard Grayson Whitaker (10.6 ppg) form one of the most talented boys' high school basketball trios in Eastern Kentucky. The Hornets lost two starters - Randy Bailey (graduation) and Mason Lovey (transfer).

Magoffin County added a player over the offseason when sophomore center Ben Lafferty transferred from Johnson Central. 

 

6. Shelby Valley (25-8): Rodney Rowe is back on the Shelby Valley bench, replacing Jim Hicks as the Wildcats' head coach. Shelby Valley lost 15th Region Player of the Year Cody Potter (24.6 ppg, 9.9 rpg) to graduation but return several experienced players. Seniors Kaden Robinson (12.8 ppg), Keian Worrix (7.7 ppg) and Zack Johnson (4.8 ppg) will provide leadership for the Wildcats. Fresh off an exceptional football season, freshman Russ Osborne will contribute on the hardwood after making an impact as an eighth grader during the 2019-20 boys' high school basketball season.

 

7. Lawrence County (22-12): The 2019-20 15th Region runner-up, Lawrence County lost leading scorer Tyler Maynard (20.6) to graduation. Still, Lawrence County returns three of its top five scorers, two of whom averaged double figures during the 2019-20 season. Junior point guard Cody Maynard (15.7 ppg), junior guard/forward Trenton Adkins (10.9 ppg) and senior guard Baden Gillispie (8.1 ppg) form a talented trip for reigning 58th District champion Lawrence County. 

 

8. Belfry (10-19): The 2019-20 60th District runner-up, Belfry has welcomed back four of its top six scorers and added a new force inside. Sophomore guard Sal Dean (16.9 ppg) and senior guard Tyler Chaffin (11.2 ppg) are back after ranking as the Pirates' top two scorers during the 2019-20 season. Brett Coleman (9.3 ppg) and Caleb Spears (4.8 ppg) are back for Belfry as well. During the offseason, Belfry added seven-footer Bol Kuir, a player who is expected to thrive during the 2020-21 boys' high school basketball season. 

 

9. East Ridge (10-16): After losing to Pikeville in overtime during the 59th District Boys' Basketball Tournament Semifinals, East Ridge is a team on the rise. East Ridge returns five of its top six scorers from the 2019-20 season. Senior forward Eli Rose (12 ppg), the team's leading scorer in the 2019-20 season, returns. In addition to Rose, East Ridge has back juniors Isaac Woods (9.3 ppg), Jonathon Mills (8.5 ppg) and Braxton Stanley (8.6 ppg) as well as senior Hunter Damron (7.3 ppg).

 

10. Betsy Layne (17-12): Four of five starters are due back for the Bobcats. Senior Jordan Frazier (19.4 ppg), juniors Brady Robinson (13.4 ppg) and Chase Mims (10.8 ppg) and sophomore Andrew Kidd (6.7 ppg) all return for Betsy Layne, which will be under the direction of new head coach Derrick Newsome. Additional experienced players back for the Bobcats include junior Jake Rainey and senior Shawn Dee Howell. Manns started for Betsy Layne prior to transferring to Pikeville. 

 

11. Pike County Central (8-21): New head coach Robert Amis is set to guide Pike County Central. Most recently, Amis guided Greenup County in the neighboring 16th Region. Amis replaced Ryan Whitaker on the Hawks' bench. Pike County Central lost leading scorer and rebounder Jacob Young (14.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg) to graduation. Senior guard Bryce Adkins (12.3 ppg) is the top player due back for the Hawks from the 2019-20 season. Pike County Central has not filed a roster with the KHSAA yet. 

 

12. Phelps (21-11): The Hornets must replace standout Trey Francis (19.3 ppg, 13.2 rpg), who was lost to graduation. The reigning 60th District champion, Phelps returns senior forward/guard Dominick Francis (13.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg). In addition to Dominick Francis, Phelps returns senior forward Seth Mayhorn (4.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and junior forward Landon Dotson (4.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg).

 

13. Prestonsburg (9-19): The Blackcats broke through during the 2019-20 season, knocking off Betsy Layne to advance to the 15th Region Boys' Basketball Tournament. Senior Will Gullett (7.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and sophomore Ryan Rose (7.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) are back to lead Prestonsburg inside. Along with Gullett and Rose, senior guard Grant Justice (6.1 ppg) returns for the Blackcats. 

 

14. Floyd Central (7-22): After missing out on advancing to the region tournament for the first time, Floyd Central will look to continue to improve. However, Floyd Central lost its top three scorers to graduation. Sophomores Ronnie Samons (7.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Braden Moore (6.3 ppg) are back to lead the Jaguars. 

 

15. Jenkins (1-23): A former 14th Region member Jenkins must replace its top four scorers from the 2019-20 season. Jenkins defeated June Buchanan for its only win in the 2019-20 campaign. Junior forward/guard Austin Johnson (6.0 ppg) is the top player back for the Cavaliers. 

 

*Piarist School (0-1): Longtime 15th Region member Piarist School doesn't have a schedule in place for the 2020-21 boys' high school basketball season at this time. 

 

 

 

15th Region's Top 10 Players

 

1. Isaiah May, Johnson Central, Sr., G

 

3. Rylee Samons, Pikeville, Jr., F

 

4. Cory VanHoose, Johnson Central, Sr., F/G

 

5. Brady Dingess, Martin County, Jr., G

 

6. Aden Barnett, Magoffin County, So., G

 

7. Keian Worrix, Shelby Valley, Sr., G

 

8. Jordan Frazier, Betsy Layne, Sr., G

 

9. Cody Maynard, Lawrence County, Jr., G

 

10. (tie) Isaiah Salyer, Magoffin County, Sr., G

 

10. (tie) Braxton Tharp, Paintsville, Sr., G