BluegrassPreps.com 14th Region Boys Basketball Preview

[All State Baseball]

That was a quick little break from last season as we are here for the new basketball season. We've had couple movements inside the 14th region this offseason. John Noble left Breathitt County to become the Leslie County Eagles head coach. Knott County Central head coach BB King left the Patriots to become Breathitt County's head coach. We'll have to wait and see if these movements effect each team.

Several questions to be asked.

Can Perry County Central repeat as 14th region champions? They will be hard to beat on their own home court come tournament time.

Is Breathitt County the favorite with what they return and new head coach in BB King who just so happens to know how to win big ball games?

How much better will Leslie County be with John Noble leading the helm?

Estill County ended up being the dark horse last season, outlasting two different teams in 4 OT's (Wolfe County 3 OT) (Cordia OT), will that be the case this season or will their be a new dark horse that can surprise some people?

Does Losing BB King affect Knott County Central?

 

1) Perry County Central: Perry County Central dominated the 14th region last season going 16-0 throughout the season and defeating two out of the three teams in the 14th region tournament by double digits. The Commodores lost bulk of their scoring in Landon Napier, Lance McKenzie and Dylan Brock. Those three were also their leading rebounders. The Commodores have a ways to go if t hey wanna repeat as 14th region champions but until someone knocks them off they are King of the 14th Region.

2) Breahtitt County: Biggest news coming out of the 14th region this offseason is the Bobcats snagging Knott Central head coach BB King to lead the helm after John Noble left to take over the head coaching position down the road at Leslie County. Breathitt County returns the bulk of their offense from last season in Austin Sperry, Luke Bellamy and Christian Collins. Tough schedule should have the Bobcats ready by tournament time but will this be the year they get over the hump and cut down the nets?

3) Hazard: As long as Al Holland is leading the way, the Bulldogs will always be a top 5 team in the 14th region. This year should be no different especially with Hazard returning most of their core players from a year ago and as Big Al always does, loads the schedule down. Hazard went 5-5 down the stretch last season, let's see how this year plays out.

4) Letcher County Central: This could be one of the best Cougars team to hit the floor in recent years as they return most of their team from a year ago. Coach Matthew Taylor has beefed up the schedule a tad bit for the Cougars as they will head to Marion County for two day tournament before heading to Gatlinburg TN for Smoky Mountain Classic where they will open up with Travelers Rest SC. 5 games in 5 days. They've also added Pikeville to the schedule, that should be a fun game to kick off the season.

5) Estill County: Can the Engineers repeat the effort they made last year upsetting both Wolfe County and Cordia in the 14th region tournament? No new teams on the schedule this season other than Smoky Mountain Classic at Gatlinburg TN. Engineers will open up Blue Bracket with Landrum SC. Estill County will be hosting the rail road classic at the end of December. Engineers kick off the tournament against Menifee County and await either Paintsville or Jackson City. 

6) Wolfe County: The Wolves season ended in heart break last season as they fell to Estill County in triple overtime in the first round of the 14th region tournament. Wolfe County also lost big chunk of their scoring but they return both their leading scorer in Swayer Thompson and leading rebounder Skylar Ritchie. As always Coach Creech has a beefed up schedule. Second game of the season at Scott County. 

7) Knott County Central: Patriots struggled last season not even winning 10 games. Patriots will have a new look this season as Coach BB King left to become the head coach of Breathitt County. Casey Huff was hired to lead the Patriots. Can the Patriots regroup or will they struggle again this season?

8 ) Cordia: Cordia seen their season come to an end in heart break last year falling to Estill County in overtime in the semi-finals of the 14th region tournament. Cordia has a new head coach in Mitch Smith. Judging by KHSAA roster several of their top leading scorers are no longer listed.

9) Buckhorn: The Wildcats return their scoring from a year ago and will be tested throughout the year this year with the schedule. Can they get past Hazard or Perry to get back to the regional tournament?

10) Lee County: First time in a long time that the Bobcats have been ranked in the top 10. This year will be a make or bust year for the Bobcats and leading scorer Zach Watterson. Can the Bobcats make some noise?

11) Leslie County: Eagles made a big splash this offseason when they hired John Noble to lead the Eagles. Will his presence be enough to get the Eagles to where they wanna be or does he have a long ways to go?

12) Powell County: Pirates have had a rough past couple years. Will this year be any different or will they be one of the bottom feeders of the 14th region?

13) Jackson City: Tigers struggled last season and it doesn't help that they are stuck in a district with both Breathitt and Wolfe County. Is their anything they can do to get past both Breathitt and Wolfe this season?

14) Owsley County: The Owls have been stuck at #14 for quite sometime, can they get out of this slot or will this be another year they don't move?

 

Top 10 Players:

1) Austin Sperry (Breathitt County)

2) Christian Collins (Breathitt County)

3) Swayer Thompson (Wolfe County)

4) Rydge Beverly (Perry County Central)

5) Bryce Hoskins (Breathitt County)

6) Kaden Adams (Letcher County Central)

7) Kade Benton (Estill County)

8 ) Tyler Day (Perry County Central)

9) Mel Hazell (Hazard)

10) Luke Bellamy (Wolfe County)

[The Professor]

I believe Breathitt County is an easy choice for number 1 with what they have returning. Austin Sperry will lead the guard attack. The 6’2 sophomore is already getting looks from D1 schools. Senior Luke Bellamy, a very good long range shooter will be an impact player. 6’7 senior Christian Collins and 6’5 senior Bryce Hoskins will provide size and interior strength. Collins is also a threat from the 3 arc. Andrew Combs, senior forward, will round out the starting 5. Combs is the only non-starter from last year’s team but saw quite an amount of court time and does have experience. He is also a good outside scorer. 
Breathitt County was runner-up to Pikeville in last year’s All A Classic state tournament at EKU. They defeated an excellent Lyon County team on their way to the finals in that tournament. If Coach King can get the Bobcats to play solid defense to go with their already good offensive strength this team will be difficult to beat. Perry Central is hosting the tournament this year and that’s an advantage to play in a familiar practice and game environment, but I believe when the 14th region championship trophy is hosted next March the Bobcats will claim their first title in 27 years. 
I have Perry Central rated 2nd , Letcher Central 3rd, Hazard 4th and a tossup at 5th between Estill County and Wolfe County. 
It feels strange not having  traditional region power Knott Central in the top 5 but with graduations and transfers their roster will be very young and inexperienced this season. 

[nikeman49]

Breathitt Co. stands alone at the top again this year, problem with that is they were the best talent wise last two years. Nobody should beat them in the region this season.

[theguru]

Bump.

[The Professor]

Breathitt County had a big win over Lexington Catholic at Martin County in a scrimmage last week. Came from behind and won by 1, 63-62. 6’7 senior Christian Collins scored 33, No small feat going up against the big center of Knights, I believe listed 6’11-7’0 by most publications. New coach BB King is requiring Collins to play inside where he is more effective much more than he did last year. 
I think the Bobcats have the number 1 spot until someone proves they aren’t, and that will be difficult to do imo.