The 15th Region. Most probably had Pikeville locked in as the region favorite most of the season. Heck, I’m pretty sure I did. But Pikeville got knocked off in the semi’s of the region by Martin County. Magoffin ran the gauntlet in the bottom half of the bracket knocking off Floyd Central and Johnson Central before making it to the region championship. Magoffin had been beaten twice by Martin County prior in the season, including the district championship. But the Hornets stung the most when it mattered. Behind the shot of Aden Barnett who averaged 28.7 as a senior, he led them to their first ever region championship behind a cool 34 points. But the plan wasn’t just to make it there, they wanted to make some noise as well. Behind Barnett’s 24, they also pulled off a win over Perry County Central in the sweet 16. Unfortunately, things came to a quick halt as they were steamrolled by Great Crossing, but all in all, a great season for Magoffin County and a great season for the 15th to make it to the sweet 16 and win one. 

Last year was the first year for the super regional that the 15th region started. Every team made the region tournament, and teams were ranked 1 through 14. I personally love the idea, and wish every region would do it. For basketball and football! I’m excited to see how it looks this year for the 15th in a year where there’s likely going to be a lot of parity. 

There have been a few transfers in the 15th and rumors of few more, but here are the ones that are in stone so far. Jackson Keene is currently at Pikeville coming from East Ridge. Jaxon Estridge is in Belfry from Prestonsburg. Parker Watts is also at Martin County from Tolsia, West Virginia. If anyone knows of any more that solidify out, please add them! 

Here is a list of some of the Preseason Top 10 Players: 

Austin Slone (Johnson Central SO, 27.0 ppg)

Jaden Stewart (Pike County Central SR, 21.5 ppr 9.0 rpg)

Parker Watts (Martin Co SR)

Braxton Keathley (Prestonsburg SO 21.8 ppg)

Chris Spriggs (Floyd Central JR 9.7 ppg)

Ethan Cole (Paintsville SO 16.8 ppg)

Tyler Weddington (Phelps SO, 20.5 ppg 15.8 rpg ranked second in state in rebounding)

Carter Parsons (Betsy Lane JR 13.5 ppg hit 78 3’s)

Jackson Keene (Pikeville JR 19.8 ppg)

Ian Onkst (Pikeville SR 9.6 ppg)

 

 

Preseason Team Rankings: 

1. Martin County: Martin has to replace their top three scorers from a year ago, but adding Parker Watts should help. Martin is consistently one of the top teams in the region and I don’t think much will change going into next season. Devan Maynard, Bryson Dials, and Peyton Davis will all see elevated roles that should prove big for the Cardinals. 

2. Johnson Central: After a very inconsistent year, the Golden Eagles look to rebound in a big way. Austin Slone is one of the top sophomores in the area as he averaged 27 points and 7.1 boards per game. JC also returns their other four starters, along with their sixth man. Brayden Shepherd, Kyle Rose, Andrew Meeks, Dawson Montgomery, and Mason McKenzie round out a very formidable Golden Eagle line up. I think this is the year they can find themselves back at the top of the region. 

3. Pikeville: When you think of the 15th region, you think of the Panthers from Pikeville. They are consistently at the top of the region and in other sports the top of the state. They lose six of their top 8 to graduation, so they will have their work cut out for them. Adding Jackson Keene from East Ridge should provide some nice relief. He led them in scoring and rebounding with 19.8 ppg and 4.7 rpg. Add in Ian Onkst, and the Panthers should have a solid 1-2 punch. 

4. Pike County Central: Losing Jaylan Rigdon hurts, as he was one of the best players in the region. But Jaden Stewart is more than ready to lead PCC back towards the top of the region. He averaged 21.5 and 9.0 on the season last year. Peyton Owens and Grant Hall will also help carry the load for the Hawks this season. 

5. Betsy Lane: Betsy Lane returns half of its top production from a season ago. Carter Parsons should be prepared and ready to lead the bobcats on the hardwood. Cameron Pente and Braydon Hall will also be beside him as they lead the trio for BL. They should be one of the favorites in the 58th district. 

6. Lawrence County: The Bulldogs started last season off as one of the hottest teams in the 15th, but faltered late down the stretch by losing 4 of their last 7, which included the 58th district championship and the region game. The bulldogs lose four of their top seven scorers, but they do bring back double digit averages in Hayden Perry and Gunnar Woods which should help. The 58th district will be tight. 

7. Floyd Central: Floyd Central had a decent year as they won the 58th district. Unfortunately, they had to play region champ Magoffin in the first round and that ended their run. They lose their top two scorers, but bring back some more fire power in Dylan Boyd and Chris Spriggs. They should also be very competitive in the 58th district. 

8. Paintsville: The Tigers are coming off a tough season last year, but they bring back their top four scorers. Ethan Cole, Anderson Lauffer, Jase Kinner, and Brock Woods all averaged double figures for Paintsville last season. Paintsville had some decent wins over Breathitt and Floyd Central last year, but they could never string anything together to show consistency. 

9. Shelby Valley: Shelby Valley has brought in coach Matthew Taylor to lead the way from Letcher County Central. Shelby Valley went 8-18 last season but they do bring back 3 of their top 5. Robert Stewart, Ethan Sykes, and Caden Johnson will likely lead the way. 

10. Prestonsburg: The Blackcats will be led by Harold Tackett in his first season s the head coach for Pburg. Braxton Keathley is one of the top players in the region and will be a great focal point to build around. Kaden Allen, Connor Napier, and Cade Nairn should all help as well for the Blackcats. 

11. Magoffin: After a storybook season last year which saw the Hornets have the 15th region player of the year and make it to the elite 8 in their first ever trip to the sweet 16, things will likely come back down to earth. Losing four of the top five is never easy for a team, especially when one of those four is the best player in the region. Walker Russell is the lone wolf who returns. 

12. Belfry: I think the Pirates can be a sleeper team who could possibly make some noise in the 15th this season. They are led by first year Head Coach Brent Perry. He comes from being an assistant coach at Montgomery County. Erik Rash is back who put up 15.2 ppg. They also added Jaxon Estridge from Martin County, and Brody Little who had left for Pikeville is now back. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pirates in the top 7-8 by the time the season is over. 

13. Phelps: Phelps has one of the top sophomores in the area in Tyler Weddington. He averaged a double double last season and was second in the state in rebounding with 15.8 rpg. Reece Norman and Ethan Fields will look to shoulder the load for the hornets. 

14. East Ridge: The Warriors were sitting at 10-10 last season with a decent year ahead on the horizon. Unfortunately, they lost 9 straight and ended the year 10-19. They lose their leading scorer to transfer and a couple others to graduation, but bring back second leading scorer Carter Damron.

Bump.