15th Region: Week 7

15th Region Boys Basketball Week 7:

7th week in the 15th in the books, let's look at it. We will have a new top dog!

1. Martin County (11-5) - When the Cardinals are locked in and on, they’re on. They went 2-0 on the week, the most impressive was a 21 point win over Pikeville in the 15th region All A Finals. Keathley went off for 26 and pulled down 12 boards. He’s the best player in the region IMO. They followed that up with a 24 point win over Magoffin County. This week they open the All A with Breathitt County on Thursday, then are set to go to Harlan on Saturday. 

2. Pikeville (13-2) - The Panthers were rolling until Martin County came to town in the All A finals. The game was never really close, as the Panthers were steamrolled by 21. They did bounce back nicely with a 28 point win over Union VA and a 45 point win over East Ridge, but neither of those teams can hold a candle to Martin Co. This week Pikeville will play Shelby Valley at home, and Paintsville on the road Friday. 

3. Johnson Central (11-3) - The Golden Eagles time at the 2A was short lived as they fell to Glasgow by 17. They only shot 34.5% from the field and 5/17 from the three point line. It made for a long night. This week JC is set to play Magoffin County at home tonight, and then Perry County Central at home on Friday. 

4. Paintsville (10-7) - The Tigers went 2-0 this week. They beat Magoffin County by 15, and then Letcher County Central by 35. That makes them winners of 4 of their last 5. This week they are set to play FLoyd Central on Wednesday, and Pikeville on Friday. If they win those two, they will undoubtedly, creep a little bit more up the rankings . 

5. Floyd Central (13-4) - The Jaguars had a big time win over Lawrence County to start off the week, by a final of 71-63. They lost the very next day though, to Perry County Central by 18. I would've liked to have seen them pull it off. Floyd gets a shot with the team right above them in the rankings, as they host Paintsville on Wednesday. They wrap the week up with Betsy Lane on the road Friday, and West Carter at home on Saturday. 

6. Belfry (11-5) - The Pirates continue their great start to the year and go 2-0 this past week. They had a barn burner with Phelps where they won by 3, but then bounced back with a 14 point win over Lawrence County which was a statement game IMO. Peyton Owens led the way in it with 17. What a second year for HC Brent Perry. Belfry plays Prestonsburg, and Pike County Central this week. They have a great shot to be 13-5 after this week. 

7. Lawrence County (9-8) - The Bulldogs went 1-2 on the week. That brings them to 4-7 in their last 11 and I believe we can officially say they’re reeling. They beat Shelby Valley to start the week by 11, but lost to Belfry by 14 and Floyd Central by 8. Lawrence is a team I thought would be able to contend for the title at the beginning of the year, but it’s not looking bright right now. This week they are set to play Russell, Prestonsburg, and Wayne WV. 

8. Shelby Valley (11-7) - The Wildcats went 1-1 this week. Had a great shot to move some up the rankings, but ultimately fell to Lawrence County by 11. Gavin Hamilton led the way with 19 in the loss. They did bounce back nicely with a 17 point win over East Ridge. This week they will face PIkeville Tuesday, Phelps on Thursday, Kachea Co-Op TN on Friday, and Bryan Station on Saturday. 

9. Pike County Central (11-5) - The Hawks went 3-0 on the week. They beat down Prestonsburg by 32, smacked around Cordia by 47, and knocked out Magoffin County by 19. Three beat downs. This week it will be a little tougher for PCC as they play Betsy Lane tonight on the road, Belfry at home on Thursday, and Phelps on the road Saturday. 

10. Betsy Lane (5-8) - The Bobcats went 1-0 on the week. They beat Prestonsburg by 7 at home. This week they will play Pike County Central at home tonight, and then Floyd Central at home on Friday. If they can snag one of the two, it would be huge for BL. 

11. Phelps (4-10) - The Hornets went 0-1 on the week. They lost to Belfry in a close one by 3. This week they play Jenkins, Prestonsburg, Shelby Valley, and Pike County Central.

12. East Ridge (6-10) - The Warriors went 1-3 on the week. They beat Ridgeview VA by 5, then lost to Shelby Valley, Mountain Mission School VA, and Pikeville. This week they play Hurley VA on the road Tuesday. 

13. Magoffin County (2-14) - The Hornets went 0-3 on the week. They lost to Paintsville, Martin County, and Pike County Central. This week they play Johnson Central, Letcher County Central, and Estill County. 

14. Prestonsburg (1-13) - The Blackcats went 0-2 this week. They lost to Pike County Central, and Betsy Lane. This week they play Belfry, Phelps, Lawrence County, and Lee County.