Louisa, Ky. — The 15th Region will look different when post-season basketball rolls around next season after the region adopted the first ever super region.
In theory, one district could have all three or four teams advance to the 15th Region quarterfinals.
It will be the first time any region in the state will undergo this format change to the region tournament.
The final eight teams will still play at the Appalachian Wireless Arena, but how they get there will be totally different.
The 57th and 58th districts are both four-team districts, while the 59th and 60th districts will both be three team districts since the departure of Jenkins back to the 14th Region.
Only one team from the 57th, 58th, 59th and 60th district is guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals of the 15th Region Tournament at the Appalachian Wireless Arena.
Abby Nelson will look to contribute more offense going into the 2023-24 season for the Bulldogs.
In year’s past each of the four districts were guaranteed two teams in the 15th Region Tournament.
With the Super Region, only one team from each district is guaranteed a spot.
Technically, all 14 teams will participate in the region tournament, but the final eight will advance.
57th District
Johnson Central, Martin County, Magoffin County, Paintsville
58th District
Lawrence County, Betsy Layne, Floyd Central, Prestonsburg
59th District
East Ridge, Shelby Valley, Pikeville
60th District
Belfry, Phelps, Pike Central
9th grader Hayden Perry will look to build on his first season of varsity basketball.
Lawrence Co. Athletic Director Chandler Thompson
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Excited for the opportunity for our school to participate in the super region this year. It is certainly different and will take some adjusting from everyone. But, given the makeup of our region, the super region really allows our region the chance to have its true top teams represent the 15th region in the region tournament. I can think of several times in years past when a really good team in the region didn’t make the region tournament simply because of how that particular district played out. The super region will eliminate that and give everyone a chance to fight in the region tournament regardless of how their district plays out. It will definitely be challenging but I am excited that the 15th region is somewhat of a pilot for the super region format.”
