Letcher Central is the favorite, but a slight favorite as Coach Dean returns a number of players from last season's championship squad.

 

Powell County and Estill County could very well be favored as well and will contend for the 14th Region crown. Coach Chris Varney of Powell could very well be the best young coach in the 14th.

 

Hazard will be tough returning a core of juniors from last year.

 

Leslie County and Perry Central will field good teams this spring as well, but both lost some key players from last season. Both are well-coached however and will compete.

 

Breathitt County looks to build from a surprising 18-12 season last year.

 

Lee County was once a traditional powerhouse, but only time will tell if they will be the team to beat in the 14th this season.

 

Jackson City and Jenkins hope to continue the success of their breakout seasons last year while making the region tournament.

 

Buckhorn, Cordia, and Owsley County return some players and look to make a cinderella run this season as Jenkins and JC did last year.

 

Knott Central and June Buchanan will be young but make surprise a few teams by winning games they shouldn't. The future looks especially bright for the Crusaders under coach Randy King.

 

Wolfe County and Riverside Christian will likely be at the bottom, but don't count out the Wolves just yet. They may surprise a few teams.

Letcher Central is the favorite, but a slight favorite as Coach Dean returns a number of players from last season's championship squad.

 

Powell County and Estill County could very well be favored as well and will contend for the 14th Region crown. Coach Chris Varney of Powell could very well be the best young coach in the 14th.

 

Hazard will be tough returning a core of juniors from last year.

 

Leslie County and Perry Central will field good teams this spring as well, but both lost some key players from last season. Both are well-coached however and will compete.

 

Breathitt County looks to build from a surprising 18-12 season last year.

 

Lee County was once a traditional powerhouse, but only time will tell if they will be the team to beat in the 14th this season.

 

Jackson City and Jenkins hope to continue the success of their breakout seasons last year while making the region tournament.

 

Buckhorn, Cordia, and Owsley County return some players and look to make a cinderella run this season as Jenkins and JC did last year.

 

Knott Central and June Buchanan will be young but make surprise a few teams by winning games they shouldn't. The future looks especially bright for the Crusaders under coach Randy King.

 

Wolfe County and Riverside Christian will likely be at the bottom, but don't count out the Wolves just yet. They may surprise a few teams.

 

Great job Habakkuk. :thumb: Looks like a very good analysis of the 14th.

Letcher Central is the favorite, but a slight favorite as Coach Dean returns a number of players from last season's championship squad.

 

Powell County and Estill County could very well be favored as well and will contend for the 14th Region crown. Coach Chris Varney of Powell could very well be the best young coach in the 14th.

 

Hazard will be tough returning a core of juniors from last year.

 

Leslie County and Perry Central will field good teams this spring as well, but both lost some key players from last season. Both are well-coached however and will compete.

 

Breathitt County looks to build from a surprising 18-12 season last year.

 

Lee County was once a traditional powerhouse, but only time will tell if they will be the team to beat in the 14th this season.

 

Jackson City and Jenkins hope to continue the success of their breakout seasons last year while making the region tournament.

 

Buckhorn, Cordia, and Owsley County return some players and look to make a cinderella run this season as Jenkins and JC did last year.

 

Knott Central and June Buchanan will be young but make surprise a few teams by winning games they shouldn't. The future looks especially bright for the Crusaders under coach Randy King.

 

Wolfe County and Riverside Christian will likely be at the bottom, but don't count out the Wolves just yet. They may surprise a few teams.

 

WOW! Looks good. I would agree with everything you have said in this.:thumb:

Estill and Powell should be the favorites in the 14th in '08. Estill has Drew Freeman, who is argueably the best player in the 14th region, their entire pitching staff back from last year, and one of the best coaches in the region in Danny Wood. Powell has a core of seniors that contributed to a regional championship two years ago, with Cory Brewer being one of the best pitchers in the region, and a solid coach in Chris Varney as well. Should be a fun season in the 56th as well as the 14th.

Estill and Powell should be the favorites in the 14th in '08. Estill has Drew Freeman, who is argueably the best player in the 14th region, their entire pitching staff back from last year, and one of the best coaches in the region in Danny Wood. Powell has a core of seniors that contributed to a regional championship two years ago, with Cory Brewer being one of the best pitchers in the region, and a solid coach in Chris Varney as well. Should be a fun season in the 56th as well as the 14th.

 

:thumb: Estill and Powell return more than the rest of the field. PCC, Leslie, Hazard, and LCC all lost key position players and more importantly pitching to graduation in '07. I think that Martin and Combs (Hazard) will emerge as two of the top pitchers in the 14th this spring.

 

Breathitt Co. and Jenkins lost only two and three starters respectively, and return all their pitching from a year ago.

I don't think that I would want to be the favorite to win the 14th region given the recent history. Over the last 3 years the favorites have been knocked out and a team around the top has won the region.

 

2007 Favorites Perry Central and Estill County--- Letcher Central wins

2006 Big Favorite Leslie County --- Powell County wins

2005 Favorites Leslie County and Powell Co. --- Perry Central wins

True. This has been a tough region to win. Hopefully this year one of our teams can actually make it to Applebees. LCC was close last season.

I would like to see a team from the 14th to actually make it to Applebees. They just can't get past the 15th or the 16th Champions.

What region does the 14th play this year? Also, I am mistaken in saying that LCC was the first team to actually get a win under the new system.

What region does the 14th play this year? Also, I am mistaken in saying that LCC was the first team to actually get a win under the new system.

 

I think the 14th plays the 16th. As for LCC being the first team to win a game under the new system, I would have to research it.

Under the new system, Letcher Central would be the 1st team to win a game, according the the KHSAA scoreboard. The last team to win a game in the state tournament before the current semi-state, would be Hazard. Hazard beat Rokcastle County 1-0. The were beat by, eventual 2001 state champs Boyd County 9-1 in the 2nd round.

Hazard won 1 of 3 against Rockcastle in 2004 I think. Didn't the final game have to be played in Lexington at Catholic because of weather? The Anderkin kid then didn't get to pitch for Rockcastle at Applebees because he pitched on Monday to get to Applebees and the tourney started Wednesday. I think I am correct

Hazard won 1 of 3 against Rockcastle in 2004 I think. Didn't the final game have to be played in Lexington at Catholic because of weather? The Anderkin kid then didn't get to pitch for Rockcastle at Applebees because he pitched on Monday to get to Applebees and the tourney started Wednesday. I think I am correct

 

That was in 2001. Hazard played Johnson Central in 2004 at Knott Central.

That was in 2001. Hazard played Johnson Central in 2004 at Knott Central.

 

That is right. I do remember that now. It rained almost every day that week and really hurt Rockcastle at Applebees.

Hazard won 1 of 3 against Rockcastle in 2004 I think. Didn't the final game have to be played in Lexington at Catholic because of weather? The Anderkin kid then didn't get to pitch for Rockcastle at Applebees because he pitched on Monday to get to Applebees and the tourney started Wednesday. I think I am correct

 

Yes. The year was 2003 though. Three one-run ball games, Hazard won game one 2-1, and then lost games two and three 3-2 and 1-0.

 

Hazard also faced and defeated Rockcastle Co. in the old format in 2001, when Clay Salyers pitched them to a 1-0 win. In 2000 Rockcastle beat Lee Co. 2-0. Boyd County was loaded both years and won the sectional. In 2002 Lee Co. won in nine innings over Pikeville, and then lost to Middlesboro in the sectional final.