My first year of covering 15th Region basketball has officially come to an end. This year was nothing short of exciting, the talent in this region on both the boys’ and girls’ side is as good as it has been in years. There are so many amazing players spread across the region who are game changers for their teams, and most of them will be back next year. Here are my thoughts on players and teams to keep an eye on heading into the next basketball season.

TEAMS TO WATCH (BOYS)

Johnson Central (28-5)
The defending 15th Region champions will certainly be the team to beat next year. Coach McKenzie has his team looking like a well-oiled machine, and the kicker is: they return every single player on the roster! Johnson Central finished the season 28-5, and you have to think they will be even more dangerous next year. This team’s ceiling is as high as it gets, they will be exciting for years to come.

Floyd Central (25-6)
Floyd Central finished this season with a 25-6 record and looked like one of the best teams in the region all year. They have a great coaching staff and a lot of young talent; Lucas Howard has the potential to be the best big man in the area going into his sophomore season. The Jaguars do lose two of their three best players in Dylan Boyd and Chris Spriggs, but if they can get a jump in production from Howard and Brayden Turner like expected, Floyd Central will be a tough challenge for everyone in the 15th Region.

Belfry (22-11)
Belfry has a ton of upside under coach Brent Perry. They return their three leading scorers and one of the best players in the region, Brody Little. They do have a hole to fill losing their leading rebounder and arguable best defender, senior Peyton Owens, but I believe their front court of Bo Williams, Jaxson Pack, and Colten Young can hold their own down low.

Pikeville (22-5)
Last but not least, the 15th Region Tournament Runner-up, the Pikeville Panthers. Led by Coach Elisha Justice. The Panthers are always one of the teams to watch in the region. They lose their two best perimeter scorers with Jackson Keene and Carter Parsons both graduating, but any team with Grant Hall and Mark Bowling as their starting guards will be a dangerous matchup come tournament time. Also, Cole Slone has the potential to be one of the best players in the region, he is a matchup nightmare and was at times Pikeville’s best offensive threat.

TEAMS TO WATCH (GIRLS)

Paintsville (23-11)
The Paintsville Tigers return every player they had this year on the roster, the Tigers young team showed a lot of potential to be the best team in the region in the upcoming season. The key to Paintsville’s success heavily relies on the best player in the region, Kylie Kinner. If the Tiger’s can see a jump in some of their younger players to give Kinner some relief, expect them to be one of the teams to beat come tournament time.

Floyd Central (21-8)
Floyd Central is another young team to watch next season, the Jaguars return their three leading scorers and rebounders. Led by Maddy Engle, the Jaguars will be a matchup problem around the region,

Johnson Central (20-7)
The 15th Region Tournament Runner-up, Johnson Central will likely be the favorites to win it all next season. Exactly like the boys, they return every player on the roster. The Eagles were a problem this year and look to be primed to be even better this upcoming season. Karlea Stanely and Allie Slone may be the best duo in the region and will be must watch basketball.

Martin County (15-11)
Martin County loses one of their best scorers with Chloe May graduating but are still expected to be a tough matchup around the region. The Cardinals return their two best players, Maci Maynard and Makenna Marcum, who are a young duo with a ton of potential. If Coach Robinson has this young team clicking by tournament time, you will not want to be on their side of the bracket.

PLAYERS TO WATCH (BOYS)

Austin Slone (Johnson Central) – 21.1ppg , 7.1rpg , 51.9% fg , 37.1% 3pt.

Braxton Keathley (Martin County) – 33.1ppg , 9.0rpg , 56.6% fg , 47.1% 3pt.

Tyler Weddington (Phelps) – My pick for 15th Region Player of the Year – 29.8ppg , 16.4rpg , 58.3% fg , 41.7% 3pt.

Lucas Howard (Floyd Central) – 13.3ppg , 10.2rpg , 61.9% fg , 37.5% 3pt.

Cole Slone (Pikeville) – 14.2ppg , 6.7rpg , 59.2% fg , 39.3% 3pt.

PLAYERS TO WATCH (GIRLS)

Catherine Walters (Pikeville) – 14.6ppg , 3.1rpg , 47.2% fg , 41.4 3pt

Kylie Kinner (Paintsville) – My pick for 15th Region Player of the Year – 27.1ppg , 7.8rpg , 43.9% fg , 31.6% 3pt

Lindsay Baldwin (Shelby Valley) – 15.3ppg , 6.6rpg , 38.2% fg , 27.3% 3pt.

Karlea Stanley (Johnson Central) – 16.7ppg , 4.6rpg , 42% fg , 29.9% 3pt.

Maci Maynard(Martin County) – 15.5ppg , 12.7rpg , 60.3% fg

Maddy Engle (Floyd Central) – 15.5ppg , 6.5rpg , 54.3% fg , 29.9% 3pt.