15th Region: Week 1

Week 1 for Region 15 is now in the books. Things have shaken up quite a lot from my preseason rankings, but hopefully things will come to balance within the next few weeks. Lawrence County, Pikeville, and Floyd Central were the only two to come away unscathed and undefeated through the first week. Gunnar Woods is leading the way for Lawrence Co with 21.7 and 4.3 boards per game. Floyd Central is also 3-0 with all three wins against region opponents. A promising start to the year for the Jaguars. Pikeville has both wins by 20+ points and are having a great start. Johnson Central, Pike County Central, Prestonsburg, and Phelps will all be chasing their first win this week. The plus side about 15th region games, is due to the location everyone essentially plays everyone early and often. 

Week 1 Rankings: 

1. Lawrence County (3-0): The Bulldogs are having a great start so far. Another promising point is that they are being led by no seniors, just juniors and sophomores. Gunnar Woods is putting up 21.7, Kaiden harris 18, and Hayden Perry 13 per game. They had a hot start last year so they need to keep it steady throughout this season. They beat West Carter by 21, Morgan County by 22, and Betsy Lane by 9. They have a huge game Tuesday with Pikeville, and then finish up at Belfry on Saturday. 

2. Pikeville (2-0): The Panthers are rolling to start the year with a 24 point win over Knott County Central and a 21 point win over Christian Educational Consortium. They had to replace all five starters but it seems like they’re not skipping a beat. Coach Justice is one of the best in the business and they’re doing great. They get a crack at number one in the region on Tuesday on the road, then finish the week up with preseason number one Martin County at home on Saturday. 

3. Betsy Lane (2-2): Betsy Lane started the season off strong with a 33 point win over Magoffin and a 6 point win over Johnson Central. They then cooled off with a 9 point loss to Lawrence County. They had the lead on 13th region favorite Harlan County, but eventually gave up their lead and lost by 4 to the Black Bears. If they can get that kind of effort every game, they can compete for the 15th region title. Carter Parsons is leading the way on the year with 24 per game while Cameron Pente is right behind him with 23.8 per game. The Bobcats look to get back in the win column with a game at home against Pike County Central on Tuesday and a game at home with Floyd Central on Friday. 

4. Martin County (2-1): The Cardinals were pegged by many as preseason region favorites and started the year off hot with a 31 point win over Huntington Expression Prep, but then came back down to earth barely escaping Pike County Central by 3 and dropping one to Perry County Central by four. Parker Watts is leading the way with 27.7 per game and Peyton Davis is putting up 19.3 as well. Bryson Dials, the freshman, is also adding 15.7 per game. The Cardinals don’t play again till Friday against Grace Christian at home, then they travel to Pikeville on Saturday in a big time matchup. 

5. Johnson Central (0-1): The Golden Eagles only had one game last week and dropped a 6 point game to Betsy Lane. Their defense was non-existent as they gave up 91 on the night. Austin Slone had 23 and Kyle Rose had 21 in the loss. They are led mostly by sophomores, but they’re going to have to guard up if they’re going to make a serious run at the region. JC looks to get their first win Wednesday as they go on the road to Shelby Valley, then follow it up with a game at Greenup on Friday. 

6. Floyd Central (3-0): The Jaguars had a great start to the season with three big region wins. The first was a 12 point win over Belfry, then an 8 point win over Prestonsburg, then a 10 point win over Magoffin County. Christian Johnson had a great game in the game with Belfry as he put up 17 and 9. Wesley Buck had a double double and finished with 12 and 10 as a freshman. The future looks bright for Floyd Central. Floyd has a big game with Betsy Lane on Friday on the road, then a home game with Rowan County on Saturday. 

7. Pike County Central (0-2): The Hawks are off to a rough start with a 3 point loss to Martin County then a 3 point loss to Knott County Central. They’re right there, but they need to show that they can turn one of these close games into a win. Jaden Stewart is doing what we knew he would do as he’s scoring 35 points per game and pulling down 11 boards a game. He is an early leader for region player of the year. The Hawks can shoot back up the rankings with a win on the road against Betsy Lane on Tuesday, and a win at home with Rowan County on Friday. 

8. Paintsville (1-1): The Tigers had a nice win at home with Shelby Valley to start the year, but then had a double OT loss to Huntington Prep by 1 point. They’re currently being led by three sophomores in scoring. Anderson Lauffer with 21, Brock Woods with 16, and Ethan Cole with 15. Brock Woods is also leading the way on the boards with 12.5 per game. Paintsville has a two games week this week with games at home with East Ridge tonight, and then on the road at Russell on Saturday.

9. Shelby Valley (1-1): Shelby Valley is sitting at 1-1 with a loss to Paintsville by 7 and a 5 point win over Leslie County. They haven’t put the stats in for either game so I can’t really comment on those two games. They did drop a spot in the rankings since it was a head to head game with Paintsville. The Wildcats are back in action tonight with Ridgeview VA, Johnson Central at home on Wednesday, Buckhorn at home on Friday, and then Riverview WV at East Ridge on Saturday. 

10. Prestonsburg (0-2): The Blackcats are still searching for their first win on the year. They had a 16 point loss to Letcher County Central, and then a 8 point loss to Floyd Central. The sophomore Braxton Keathley is having a great season so far averaging 30.5 point per game and 6 boards. P Burg will take on Hazard in the WYMT Classic, then depending on how that game goes will show who else they have this week. 

11. Belfry (2-1): Belfry is having a better year under first year coach Brent Perry. They fell to Floyd Central by 12, but then rebounded with a 15 point win over East Ridge and a 14 point win over Perry County Central. They play Jenkins and Lawrence County this week. 

12. Magoffin (1-2): Defending region champs started the year off with a 33 point loss to Betsy Lane, rebounded with a 6 point win over Letcher County Central, then a 10 point loss to Floyd Central. They have a busy week this week with Morgan County at home tonight, Estill County at home Tuesday, then East Ridge on Thursday. 

13. East Ridge (2-1): The Warrios are 2-1 with a 67 point win over June Buchanan, an 8 point win over Marion VA, and a 15 point loss to Belfry. They’re back in action with Paintsville, Magoffin County, and Council VA this week. 

14. Phelps (0-1): The Hornets are looking for their first win of the year after a 33 point loss to Elliott County. They will play Mingo Central WV, and Wesley Christian this week.