15th Region: Week 3

15th Region Boys Basketball Week 3:

Third week in the 15th in the books, let's look at it!

1. Pikeville (6-0) - The Panthers are rolling right now, still undefeated. I had them at the top spot by default at first, but now I’m wondering if they may truly be the top of the region right now. They blew the gates off Rowan Co by 51, and then beat Pendleton County by 13 in the PIT. Tonight they get a shot to send a message by knocking off Ashland in the finals of the PIT. 

2. Martin County (6-2) - Martin County went 2-1 on the week with a setback to Logan WV by 8, but then a 28 point win over KCD and 28 point win also over Sayre. Braxton Keathley has been lights out like always. They look to keep it rolling this week with South Oldham tonight, then some out of state teams in Virginia in a tournament. 

3. Lawrence County (5-3) - One win and two losses make for a long week for the Bulldogs. A 30 point win over Rowan Co was a great start, but a 5 point loss to Manual and a 12 point loss to McCracken wasn’t near as enjoyable. Lawrence looks to get their feet back under them as they play Moore tonight, and then Simon Kenton on Saturday. 

4. Johnson Central (5-2) - The Golden Eagles are back rolling. They went 4-1 on the week with wins over Greenup, Magoffin, Lebanon, and DW Daniel SC. They only dropped one game and that was to Baylor School TN. This week they are off. Austin Slone is averaging 20.9 per game, while Brayden Shepherd puts up 19.4 as well. They’re a great 1-2 punch. 

5. Paintsville (4-3) - The Tigers are back rolling. This time they went 3-0 on the week. They took down Shelby Valley by 7, Phelps by 13, and then Huntington Prep by 19. A much needed streak early in the season. They look to keep it moving this week with games against Cooper, Ryle, and then Lexington Catholic. If they can win 2 of the three I’’d say it would have been a good week. 

6. Belfry (5-2) - The Pirates had a huge week going 4-1. The biggest win of the week was over Floyd Central, a game they won by 3 at home. Brody Little went off for 37 points and 10 boards. This was a big time win for the Pirates. They’re off this week according to the KHSAA schedule. 

7. Floyd Central (5-2) - The Jaguars went 1-1 on the week. They had a real head scratching loss to Belfry by 3. They for sure have to go down, but I’m not sure how far. Not a great loss by any means. They did bounce back with a 5 point win over East Carter. This week they will take on Lewis County and Lee VA.

8. Shelby Valley (5-4) - The Wildcats went 3-2 on the week finally getting up over .500. They lost to Paintsville at home, but did pick up a region win over Prestonsburg as few as some others over out of state teams. Tonight they have a big game against one of the 14th region favorites in Hazard and it’s their only game on the week. 

9. Pike County Central (5-2) - The Hawks went 1-1 on the week again. PCC also had a real head scratcher losing to Betsy Lane by 3. They did beat Cordia by 60, but the Betsy Lane loss is a bad loss. All PCC has this week is June Buchanan at home on Monday. They currently have three people averaging double digits on the year in William Rowe, Colton Ratliff, and Owen Bowman. 

10. Betsy Lane (2-4) - I’m trying to figure out the Bobcats. They have hired their next HC in Nathan Martin, and they responded to that hiring with a huge 3 point win on the road over PCC. They look to get a big win this week again as they play Breathitt County on the road Tuesday. 

11. Phelps (2-7) - The Hornets went 1-3 on the week. Times are tough right now in Phelps. They have East Ridge at home tonight. 

12. East Ridge (3-3) - The Warriors went 2-0 on the week with wins over Magoffin and Ridgeview. This week they play Phelps on the road. 

13. Magoffin County (2-8) - The Hornets won their first two games of the year this week. They are completely off for the week. 

14. Prestonsburg (0-8) - The Blackcats went 0-4 this week. They play West Carter tonight.