The Scribe
11-26-2007, 12:47 AM
BGP 15th Region Boys' Preview
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
1. Shelby Valley (24-8) - Shelby Valley was the last 15th Region team to repeat as region champs, and with their top six players back from a school-record 29 wins, the Wildcats are the front runners to duplicate the feat five years later.
6-2 senior Jacob Bryant and 6-5 sophomore Ashley Hatfield were the only Wildcats to average double figures last year and should do the same this year. Bryant averaged 12.4 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Hatfield burst onto the scene by scoring 11.3 points and grabbing 4.5 rebounds.
Sophomore Elisha Justice led the Wildcats in assists (3.6) and steals (4.1) while scoring 7.9 points a game.
Logan Bryant and Taylor Newsome are the other two starters back for Jason Booher's club, who have won four of the last six 15th region titles.
However, Booher has put together the toughest schedule of those teams with games against Male and Ashland and tournament stops in Jeffersontown and Binghamton, New York.
2. Paintsville (20-10) - The Tigers were upset by Magoffin County in the first round of the district tournament and sent packing in the first round of the region tourney by Belfry last year.
With four starters back, Paintsville is looking to challenge Shelby Valley for the region title and get back to Rupp Arena after a decade-long absence.
6-3 senior Landon Slone is a four-year starter after scoring 22.3 points and grabbing 7.8 rebounds. He also shot 39-percent from 3-point range and 73-percent from the charity stripe.
J.D. VanHoose, a 6-2 senior, is tough around the basket and gives the Tigers another scoring threat.
Blake Bundy, Shane Grimm, and Johnson Central transfer Justin Murray figures to give veteran head coach Bill Mike Runyon some quality depth.
3. Allen Central (23-8) - The Rebels could be the surprise team in the region behind diminutive guard Alex Hammond (5-8, Sr.), who can score and run the offense to head coach John Martin's liking.
Seniors Robbie Cole and Clinton Turner will join Hammond in the backcourt, while junior center Josh Prater headlines the frontcourt.
4. Pikeville (18-12) - An unusually short postseason run for the Panther football team means two key basketball players will have more practice time than in past years.
Guards Daniel Harmon and Tim Honaker are expected to come over from the football team and would make up half the returning starters for Bart Williams' Panthers if they decide to play.
They will try to get the ball center Deven Adams, who shot 56-percent from the field and averaged eight points and nine rebounds.
5. Pike County Central (14-15) - The Hawks lost leading scorer David Hess (17.0 ppg.) and head coach David Rowe, who retired after 14 seasons.
Assistant Mark Thompson was promoted to head coach and has four starters back, including forwards Tyler Hamilton and Joe Nichols and guard Colby Slone.
6. Johnson Central (11-17) - Johnson Central begins a new era after Mark Starns left Paintsville for Henderson County and the top spot there.
Assistant Tommy McKenzie takes over and inherits a pair of starters from a squad two years removed from the Sweet 16.
Junior Ian Welch anchors the inside and senior Jaryd Crum runs the offense as the Eagles look to replace the scoring of Jamie McCarty, who set the single game JCHS record with 56 points against Sheldon Clark.
7. Betsy Layne (11-18) - Brian Hall turned around the basketball program at Jackson City and now looks to do the same thing at Betsy Layne.
One of Hall's priorities will be to get the ball to 6-7 senior Jerrod Newman, who should emerge as the region's top big man if he overcomes an eligibility issue that cropped up in recent weeks.
Guards Brennan Case and James Michael Lafferty will be challenged with the task of distributing the ball and finding Newman in the middle.
8. Belfry (24-8) - Belfry must replace Jamie Case, the region player of the year who averaged 24 points a game in leading the Pirates to the 60th District title.
Once football season ends, senior Dustin May will be one of three returning starters for head coach Randy Casey.
9. Lawrence County (11-15) - The Bulldogs should be more balanced this year with Lewis Michael and Chandler Thompson expected to lead the way for Randy Anderson's squad.
Thompson is the team's best 3-point shooter and hit 76-percent of his free throws last year.
Lawrence County will look for some consistency after losing seven of their last nine games, including their first round district game.
10. Phelps (18-8) - Senior Charlie Hunt came back from injuries sustained in a car wreck to lead the Hornets to an 18-win season and berth in the 15th Region tournament.
Guard Dillon Stiltner joins Hunt as the returning starters for Clay Campbell's squad, that could make a strong run at the region's All-A title.
11. Sheldon Clark (6-20) - The Cardinals suffered through a 6-20 season last year and welcome Roger Harless as their new head coach.
Harless will have the services of six returning seniors, including forward Steven Goble and guard Garrett Stroud.
12. Prestonsburg (11-17) - Prestonsburg began the season with an eight-game losing streak and ended with a three-game losing streak.
In between, Jackie Crisp's Blackcats struggled with consistency from game to game.
Guards Jordan Hall (13.4 ppg.) and Bobby Hughes (10.9 ppg.) return for Prestonsburg in the backcourt, while 6-4 senior Nathaniel Stephens shot 56-percent from the field.
13. East Ridge (8-18) - Head coach Eric Ratliff is facing another rebuilding task and faces the challenge of playing in the same district as region favorite Shelby Valley and Pikeville.
14. Magoffin County (15-16) - Magoffin County upset Paintsville to win the 57th District tournament last year, but was hit hard by graduation.
The Hornets don't have much size, which puts them at a disadvantage in a district with height.
15. South Floyd (4-24) - The Raiders were also hit hard by graduation, but return guard Wes Akers, who hit over 90 three-pointers in coach Barry Hall's run and gun offense.
16. Piarist (5-24) and 17. David School (0-26) will be hard-pressed for victories this year.
15th Region Players to Watch
1. Landon Slone - Paintsville
2. Jacob Bryant - Shelby Valley
3. Ashley Hatfield - Shelby Valley
4. J.D. VanHoose - Paintsville
5. Jerrod Newman - Betsy Layne
6. Shane Grimm - Paintsville
7. Elisha Justice - Shelby Valley
8. Tim Honaker - Pikeville
9. Alex Hammonds - Pike County Central
10. Jordan Hall - Prestonsburg
Special to Bluegrasspreps.com
1. Shelby Valley (24-8) - Shelby Valley was the last 15th Region team to repeat as region champs, and with their top six players back from a school-record 29 wins, the Wildcats are the front runners to duplicate the feat five years later.
6-2 senior Jacob Bryant and 6-5 sophomore Ashley Hatfield were the only Wildcats to average double figures last year and should do the same this year. Bryant averaged 12.4 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Hatfield burst onto the scene by scoring 11.3 points and grabbing 4.5 rebounds.
Sophomore Elisha Justice led the Wildcats in assists (3.6) and steals (4.1) while scoring 7.9 points a game.
Logan Bryant and Taylor Newsome are the other two starters back for Jason Booher's club, who have won four of the last six 15th region titles.
However, Booher has put together the toughest schedule of those teams with games against Male and Ashland and tournament stops in Jeffersontown and Binghamton, New York.
2. Paintsville (20-10) - The Tigers were upset by Magoffin County in the first round of the district tournament and sent packing in the first round of the region tourney by Belfry last year.
With four starters back, Paintsville is looking to challenge Shelby Valley for the region title and get back to Rupp Arena after a decade-long absence.
6-3 senior Landon Slone is a four-year starter after scoring 22.3 points and grabbing 7.8 rebounds. He also shot 39-percent from 3-point range and 73-percent from the charity stripe.
J.D. VanHoose, a 6-2 senior, is tough around the basket and gives the Tigers another scoring threat.
Blake Bundy, Shane Grimm, and Johnson Central transfer Justin Murray figures to give veteran head coach Bill Mike Runyon some quality depth.
3. Allen Central (23-8) - The Rebels could be the surprise team in the region behind diminutive guard Alex Hammond (5-8, Sr.), who can score and run the offense to head coach John Martin's liking.
Seniors Robbie Cole and Clinton Turner will join Hammond in the backcourt, while junior center Josh Prater headlines the frontcourt.
4. Pikeville (18-12) - An unusually short postseason run for the Panther football team means two key basketball players will have more practice time than in past years.
Guards Daniel Harmon and Tim Honaker are expected to come over from the football team and would make up half the returning starters for Bart Williams' Panthers if they decide to play.
They will try to get the ball center Deven Adams, who shot 56-percent from the field and averaged eight points and nine rebounds.
5. Pike County Central (14-15) - The Hawks lost leading scorer David Hess (17.0 ppg.) and head coach David Rowe, who retired after 14 seasons.
Assistant Mark Thompson was promoted to head coach and has four starters back, including forwards Tyler Hamilton and Joe Nichols and guard Colby Slone.
6. Johnson Central (11-17) - Johnson Central begins a new era after Mark Starns left Paintsville for Henderson County and the top spot there.
Assistant Tommy McKenzie takes over and inherits a pair of starters from a squad two years removed from the Sweet 16.
Junior Ian Welch anchors the inside and senior Jaryd Crum runs the offense as the Eagles look to replace the scoring of Jamie McCarty, who set the single game JCHS record with 56 points against Sheldon Clark.
7. Betsy Layne (11-18) - Brian Hall turned around the basketball program at Jackson City and now looks to do the same thing at Betsy Layne.
One of Hall's priorities will be to get the ball to 6-7 senior Jerrod Newman, who should emerge as the region's top big man if he overcomes an eligibility issue that cropped up in recent weeks.
Guards Brennan Case and James Michael Lafferty will be challenged with the task of distributing the ball and finding Newman in the middle.
8. Belfry (24-8) - Belfry must replace Jamie Case, the region player of the year who averaged 24 points a game in leading the Pirates to the 60th District title.
Once football season ends, senior Dustin May will be one of three returning starters for head coach Randy Casey.
9. Lawrence County (11-15) - The Bulldogs should be more balanced this year with Lewis Michael and Chandler Thompson expected to lead the way for Randy Anderson's squad.
Thompson is the team's best 3-point shooter and hit 76-percent of his free throws last year.
Lawrence County will look for some consistency after losing seven of their last nine games, including their first round district game.
10. Phelps (18-8) - Senior Charlie Hunt came back from injuries sustained in a car wreck to lead the Hornets to an 18-win season and berth in the 15th Region tournament.
Guard Dillon Stiltner joins Hunt as the returning starters for Clay Campbell's squad, that could make a strong run at the region's All-A title.
11. Sheldon Clark (6-20) - The Cardinals suffered through a 6-20 season last year and welcome Roger Harless as their new head coach.
Harless will have the services of six returning seniors, including forward Steven Goble and guard Garrett Stroud.
12. Prestonsburg (11-17) - Prestonsburg began the season with an eight-game losing streak and ended with a three-game losing streak.
In between, Jackie Crisp's Blackcats struggled with consistency from game to game.
Guards Jordan Hall (13.4 ppg.) and Bobby Hughes (10.9 ppg.) return for Prestonsburg in the backcourt, while 6-4 senior Nathaniel Stephens shot 56-percent from the field.
13. East Ridge (8-18) - Head coach Eric Ratliff is facing another rebuilding task and faces the challenge of playing in the same district as region favorite Shelby Valley and Pikeville.
14. Magoffin County (15-16) - Magoffin County upset Paintsville to win the 57th District tournament last year, but was hit hard by graduation.
The Hornets don't have much size, which puts them at a disadvantage in a district with height.
15. South Floyd (4-24) - The Raiders were also hit hard by graduation, but return guard Wes Akers, who hit over 90 three-pointers in coach Barry Hall's run and gun offense.
16. Piarist (5-24) and 17. David School (0-26) will be hard-pressed for victories this year.
15th Region Players to Watch
1. Landon Slone - Paintsville
2. Jacob Bryant - Shelby Valley
3. Ashley Hatfield - Shelby Valley
4. J.D. VanHoose - Paintsville
5. Jerrod Newman - Betsy Layne
6. Shane Grimm - Paintsville
7. Elisha Justice - Shelby Valley
8. Tim Honaker - Pikeville
9. Alex Hammonds - Pike County Central
10. Jordan Hall - Prestonsburg