Finally, it's that time of the year. Basketball in the Bluegrass. After a long delayed start to the season by Covid-19, the season will get started next week, with that said, let's take a look at the upcoming season for the 14th region.

Hazard Bulldogs won the 14th region championship last season but can they repeat? Does Wolfe County have what it takes to finally get to glory? Can Breathitt County maintain their home court as they are region hosts? What does Knott County Central have to do to reclaim glory again? Should be a lot of excitement across the bluegrass, especially in the 14th region.

 

1) Wolfe County (21-10): The Wolves had a stellar season last year going 21-10, winning the 55th district title and made a deep run in the 14th region tournament, all the way to the region championship but came up short to Hazard 57-51. With their three leading scorers returning, this could be Wolfe County's season.

2) Knott County Central (18-11): The Patriots had a sluggish season last year including a late season meltdown. The Patriots entered February having won 11 of their previous 12 games but that fell apart big time as they went 2-7 in their final 9 games, 5 of those 9 losses were in a row. The Patriots were upset on their own home court in the 14th region tournament semi-finals to Wolfe County 74-64. The Patriots will be looking for revenge but it's not gonna be easy.

3) Perry County Central (13-18): The Commodores struggled last season going 13-18 and getting bounced in the first round of thr 14th regional tournament. The first time they've had a losing record in a long time. Commodores lose 3 from last year but one of them is a huge loss as DeAndre Reed was their leading scorer. Good news is they have a lot of key returning players that could propel them into a deep run come post season time.  

4) Breathitt County (13-17): The Bobcats struggled last season winning just 13 games. Breathitt County only lost two from last year's team which should make for a good season in 2020/21. 

5) Hazard (29-5): Hazard had a tremendous season last year, winning 29 games, 54th district champions and 14th region champions. Hazard will look to claim the region crown again this year but losing 6 from last year including one of their leading scorers in Logan Hall, it might make it a little tough for the Bulldogs to accomplish, but that's why we play the game.

6) Buckhorn (15-16): Buckhorn had spurts last season but came on strong towards the end, winning 7 of their final 11 games. Buckhorn lost a key player in Kobe Bowling (second leading scorer 17PPG) who transferred to Leslie County. Buckhorn does return leading scorer Christian Collins who averaged 20PPG.

7) Leslie County (12-17): Leslie County struggled last season, in fact they had 2 wins the whole year last year leading up to the new year (2020). Leslie County got a big transfer from Buckhorn (Kobe Bowling) that will help them tremendously, but, will it be enough to get out of that difficult district with Hazard, Perry County Central and Buckhorn? Only time will tell.

8 ) Letcher County Central (9-20): Letcher County Central struggled last season but a major win, would call last season a win. The Cougars defeated Knott County Central for the 53rd district championship. Can the Cougars carry that momentum over to the new year?

9 ) Estill County (22-11): Engineers had a pretty good season last year, winning the 56th district championship for a third time out of the last four years. Estill County has a long way to go in order to win 20+ games, district championship and making a deep run in region tournament after the loss of the best player in the region, Joe Benton who graduated. Estill County will have a new radio station (104.9 WSKVFM) along with several new teams on the schedule; Bath County, Bluegrass United Home School (Lexington), Elliott County and Nicholas County.

10) Cordia (11-17): The Lions struggled last season, in fact, they had a 3 game win streak at the beginning of the season and then it went to win loss, win loss. Cordia welcomes in new coach, David Ray Farler who replaces, Denny Fugate.

11) Owsley County (11-17): Owsley County was another team that struggled last season but made it to the regional tournament by upsetting Powell County 55-53 on the Pirates own home court for the first time in a very long time. Can the Owls do it again?

12) Powell County (6-21): The Pirates struggled last season, losing in the first round of the district tournament and not making the region tournament in a long time and this year might not be any better but the Pirates are hopeful that they have a much better season. Pirate faithful.

13) Lee County (6-24): The Bobcats showed improvement last year but still have a ways to go in order to make it back to the 56th district championship and a regional tournament appearance. 

14) June Buchanan (3-19): The Crusaders won just 3 games last season. For a second straight year, the Crusaders will be under new leadership. Anthony Yontz comes in replacing Doug Clark.

15) Jackson City (15-14): Jackson City had a tremendous season last year winning 15 games. That included a 6 game wins streak at the end of the season before falling to Breathitt County in the opening round of the 55th district tournament. Can they have that kind of success this coming season?

16) Riverside Christian (0-0): The Rams didn't play at all last season and currently have a 10 game schedule this season.

Bump.

I think Knott’s struggles in the last half of the season last year had a lot to do with their big guy, I think his name is McGuire, being injured and unable to play. He’s around 6’6 or 6’7 and is very important to the Patriots .He’s back this year so look for them to be pretty darn good.