15th Region: Week 10

15th Region Boys Basketball Week 10:

10th week in the 15th in the books, let's look at it. With the end of the season coming close, we are starting to get a good look at how the district tournaments will shape up, along with the favorites and dark horses of the tourney.  

1. Martin County (15-6) - The Cardinals went 2-0 on the week. They beat Paintsville by 8 on the road, then followed that up with a 38 point win over Magoffin County. They have a heck of a week coming though, as they play Ashland tonight, Paintsville Wednesday, Johnson Central Friday, and Hazard Sunday. All of these games are at home. If they can sweep the week, they will show they are the heavy favorites in the 15th. 

2. Johnson Central (15-5) - The Golden Eagles had a great week going 2-1. They knocked off Ashland by 9 putting up 94 in the win, knocked off Paintsville on the road by 7, but then dropped one to South Charleston WV. This week they are set to play Paintsville again tonight, Franklin County, and then Martin County. They can leap to the top spot if they can sweep the week. 

3. Floyd Central (17-4) - The Jaguars went 1-0 again this past week. They beat Prestonsburg by 40. I think Floyd Central is very talented but I’d like to see them up their schedule. This week they are set to play Phelps, Magoffin County, Lawrence County, and Shelby Valley. They should be 21-4 going into their game with Pikeville next Monday. 

4. Pikeville (16-3) - The Panthers had a great week sitting at 2-0. They knocked off East Ridge by 30, but then had a huge win over Boyd County by 12. I think they will be a tough out in the region when their shots are falling. This week they play Shelby Valley, and Huntington Expression Prep WV. 

5. Paintsville (11-10) - The Tigers had a chance to shoot up the rankings but didn’t capitalize. They dropped an 8 point game to Martin County, and a 7 point game to Johnson Central. Things do not get easier, as they play them both again this week. In addition to those two, they also play Magoffin County, and Chesapeake OH. 

6. Lawrence County (12-9) - The Bulldogs went 1-0 for the second straight week. This week they beat Tug Valley by 12. They have three more games this week, with Huntington Expression Prep WV, Floyd Central, and Betsy Lane looming. Lawrence was a team I thought could make some noise preseason, we will see if they pick up momentum. 

7. Shelby Valley (16-8) - The Wildcats went 2-0 this past week. They beat Betsy Lane by 37, and then ran it up on Grundy VA by 50. They have two huge games that can really help them make movement this week. They play Pikeville at home on Tuesday, then Floyd Central on Saturday at Virgie. 

8.Phelps (10-11) - The Hornets have to be the team of the week. They went 4-0 on the week, knocking off Pike County Central by 13, Betsy Layne by 8, Belfry by 11, and Betsy Layne again by 13. Tyler Weddington went off for 51 and 20 in the Belfry win. This week they’ll get another shot to go over .500, and to keep climbing the rankings. They play Prestonsburg at home tonight, and Floyd Central at home tomorrow. 

9. Belfry (15-8) - The Pirates went 0-2 on the week and now have pushed their losing streak to 3 games. They got beaten by 11 by Phelps, and then 5 by Hazard. They are reeling at the wrong time. Things are not easier as they play Corbin, Pike County Central, and Magoffin County this week. 

10. Pike County Central (14-7) - The Hawks went 1-1 on the week. They lost a disappointing game to Phelps by 13, and then had a 29 point win over Owsley County. This week they look to flip the script on Belfry, as they play them on the road Thursday, then East Ridge and Powell County. 

11. Betsy Layne (6-13) - The Bobcats went 0-3 on the week with losses to Phelps twice, and Shelby Valley. This week they play Wolfe County, Magoffin County, and Lawrence County. 

12. Magoffin County (5-17) - The Hornets went 2-1 this past week. They beat East Ridge and Mingo Central WV, but lost to Martin County. This week they play Floyd Central, Paintsville, Betsy Layne, and Belfry. 

13. East Ridge (8-14) - The Warriors went 1-2 on the week with a win over June Buchanan, but losses to Pikeville and Magoffin County. This week they play Pike County Central, Prestonsburg, and Hurley VA. 

14. Prestonsburg (3-19) - The Blackcats went 2-2 on the week with wins over David School and Lincoln County WV, but losses to OBI and Floyd Central. This week they play Phelps and East Ridge.