BluegrassPreps.com 15th Region Week 8 Review

 

1. Johnson Central (16-1): Perennial title contender Johnson Central remains the frontrunner in the 15th Region. In Week 8, Johnson Central recorded wins over Boyd County, Prestonsburg and Martin County. Seniors Cory VanHoose (17.2 ppg), Isaiah May (16.2 ppg) and John King (11.2 ppg) each average double figures in scoring for the Golden Eagles. Johnson Central is due to face Rowan County (March 1, away) and Martin County (March 4, home) in Week 9. 

 

2. Shelby Valley (12-5): The Wildcats continued to win in Week 8, defeating Paintsville, Phelps and Pikeville. Shelby Valley outlasted Pikeville 56-53 in a 59th District boys' basketball game. Kaden Robinson (18.2 ppg) and Keian Worrix (14.3 ppg) form a talented tandem for the Wildcats. Shelby Valley has upcoming games scheduled versus Floyd Central (March 2, home), Paintsville (March 3, away), Lawrence County (March 5, away) and Cordia (March 6 at Prestonsburg). 

 

3. Belfry (11-8): The Pirates posted wins over Pikeville, Letcher County Central and Lawrence County before falling to East Ridge in Week 8. Sal Dean (16.0 ppg) and Bol Kuir (13.7 ppg, 12.7 rpg) are combining to lead the Pirates. One of the most improved boys' high school basketball teams in Eastern Kentucky, Belfry has upcoming games on tap versus Pike County Central (March 1, home), Betsy Layne (March 2, away), Floyd Central (March 5, home) and Bourbon County (March 6, away). 

 

4. Pikeville (10-8): The Panthers won three of five games in Week 8, but suffered losses to Belfry and Shelby Valley. Pikeville notched wins over Knott County Central, Jenkins and Martin County in Week 8. With leading scorer Rylee Samons sidelined, Nick Robinson and Laithan Hall are combining to lead the Panthers. Pikeville is due to visit Jenkins (March 1) and Knott County Central (March 2) before facing Lexington Christian (March 3) in the All "A" State Tournament. The Pikeville Invitational is set for March 5-6. 

 

5. Pike County Central (13-6): The Hawks reeled off four straight wins in Week 8, defeating Phelps, Betsy Layne, Rose Hill Christian and Floyd Central. Josh Du Toit (19.7 ppg) and Jaylan Rigdon (18.1 ppg) are combining to lead Pike County Central. The Hawks' Week 9 schedule features games versus Belfry (March 1, away), East Ridge (March 3, home), Madison Southern (March 5, away) and East Jessamine (March 6 at Madison Southern). 

 

6. East Ridge (9-8): The Warriors notched back-to-back wins over Phelps and Belfry prior to dropping a game to Perry County Central in Week 8. In Week 9, East Ridge is scheduled to visit Pike County Central (March 3) prior to meeting Buckhorn (March 6) in the Kentucky Prep Showcase at the Prestonsburg Fieldhouse.

 

7. Paintsville (7-7): Following back-to-back losses to Betsy Layne and Shelby Valley, Paintsville recorded two consecutive wins over Russell and Magoffin County in Week 8. The Tigers are scheduled to host Martin County (March 2) and Shelby Valley (March 3) during the week ahead. 

 

8. Betsy Layne (9-6): The Bobcats won two of three games in Week 8, notching wins over Paintsville and Breathitt County. In between the two wins, Betsy Layne dropped a game to Pike County Central. Betsy Layne is scheduled to host both Belfry (March 2) and Hazard (March 4) before facing Knott County Central (March 6) on a neutral floor at Prestonsburg in the Kentucky Prep Showcase in Week 9. 

 

9. Magoffin County (9-9): The Hornets enter the week at the .500 mark after finishing 2-2 in Week 8. Magoffin County notched wins over Martin County and Floyd Central. The Hornets suffered losses to Perr County Central and Paintsville. Magoffin County has upcoming games scheduled versus Prestonsburg (March 1, away) and Lawrence County (March 4, home). The Hornets are poised to compete in the Pikeville Invitational Tournament March 5-6. 

 

10. Martin County (5-11): The Cardinals continued to slide in Week 8, dropping games to Magoffin County, Pikeville and Johnson Central. Reigning 15th Region champion Martin County has games scheduled versus Paintsville (March 2, away), Johnson Central (March 4, away), Wolfe County (March 5, home) and Perry County Central (March 6 at Prestonsburg) in Week 9. 

 

11. Lawrence County (8-7): The Bulldogs were 2-2 in the final week of February, notching wins over Floyd Central and Bath County. In between, Lawrence County dropped games to Prestonsburg and Belfry. Lawrence County is slated to meet Prestonsburg (March 2, away), Magoffin County (March 4, away) and Shelby Valley (March 5, home) in Week 9.

 

12. Prestonsburg (7-10): The Blackcats won two of five games in Week 8, claiming victories over Lawrence County and Jenkins. Prestonsburg dropped games to Johnson Central, Knox Central and Buckhorn during the final week in February. The Blackcats are set to face Magoffin County (March 1, home), Lawrence County (March 2, home), Phelps (March 4, away) and Bath County (March 6, home) during the week ahead.  

 

13. Floyd Central (6-11): The Jaguars compiled a 1-3 record, beating June Buchanan but suffering losses to Lawrence County, Magoffin County and Pike County Central. Floyd Central has upcoming games scheduled against Shelby Valley (March 2, away), Belfry (March 5, away) and Menifee County (March 6, home). 

 

14. Phelps (2-14):  The Hornets compiled a 1-3 record as well, defeating Fairview while dropping games to Pike County Central, East Ridge and Shelby Valley. Phelps has upcoming games scheduled versus Menifee County (March 1, away), Cordia (March 2, away) and Prestonsburg (March 4, away). 

 

15. Jenkins (2-7): The Cavaliers have forfeited upcoming 59th District regular season games. Along with a forfeit loss to district rival Pikeville, Jenkins dropped games to Prestonsburg and Jackson City in Week 8.