Pikeville, Ky. — The Boys and Girls 15th Region high school basketball tournaments start this week with Lawrence Co. Girls playing Tuesday and the Boys playing Wednesday at the Appalachian Wireless Arena.
Lawrence Co. Girls won a school record 25 games and won their third straight 58th District title will open against Shelby Valley ( 22-9 ) the runner up out of the 59th on Tuesday at 8:00.
The two teams met on December 14th with the Wildcats winning 60-51.
The Bulldogs are led by Junior Kensley Feltner who averages 26.8 PPG and 9.1 rebounds per contest, Sophomore Kaison Ward scores 10.9 PPG and 7.1 rebounds as well, Freshman Sophie Adkins has hit 64 three pointers and is averaging 9.7 per game, Sophomore Leandra Curnutte 7.7 PPG and Lone Senior Tyra Hammond 3.5 PPG and 3.7 rebounds.
For Shelby Valley University of Kentucky signee Cassidy Rowe and Thomas More Signee Allyssa Elswick led the way with 16.9 and 16.6 points per game, Rowe has made 67 three pointers and Elswick pulls down 7.8 rebounds per contest, Junior Kyra Looney scores 7.9 points per game and Sophomore Zoee Johnson pulls down 5.2 rebounds per game.
In the first game of the tournament on Monday at 6:30 it will be 57th District champ Martin Co. ( 22-6 ) versus 60th District runner up Pike Co. Central ( 12-17 ).
In the second game Monday at 8:00 it will be 59th District champ Pikeville ( 28-2 ) versus 58th District runner up Floyd Central ( 20-9 ).
In the first game Tuesday at 6:30 it will be 60th District champ Belfry ( 16-14 ) versus 57th runner up Paintsville ( 18-12 ).
The Semifinals will be Friday at 6:30 and 8:00 and the championship game will be Saturday at 4:30.
The Lawrence Co. ( 24-7 ) Boys finished runner up in the 58th District and will open up with 59th District champ Pikeville ( 28-2 ) on Wednesday at 8:00.
The two teams met February 1st with the Panthers winning 61-48 in Pikeville.
Lawrence Co. is led by Senior Cody Maynard with 22.6 PPG and has hit 75 three pointers, Senior Trenton Adkins averages 15.6 PPG and 9.1 rebounds per contest, Junior Will Lafferty 7.1 PPG and Sophomore Andrew Bloomfield 6.7 PPG, Junior Kaden Gillispie 6.3 and 5.0 points and rebounds per game respectively.
Lawrence Co. has been playing without Senior Tyler Johnson who is out for the rest of the year. Johnson was shooting 46.3% from the three point line and scored 16 PPG.
Pikeville is balanced with four players averaging double figures led by Junior Rylee Samons with 15.4 PPG and a team leading 76 made three pointers, Senior Nick Robinson 13.7 PPG and a team leading 7.6 rebounds per game, Senior Laithan Hall 11.7 PPG and Senior Keian Worrix 11 PPG.
In the first game of the Boys tournament at 6:30 Wednesday it will be 57th District champ Martin Co. ( 23-7 ) versus 60th District runner up Belfry ( 14-11 ).
In the first game Thursday at 6:30 it will be 60th District champ Pike Co. Central ( 13-12 ) versus 59th District runner up East Ridge ( 16-15 ).
In the final game of the first round at 8:00 it will be 58th District champ Betsy Layne ( 22-7 ) versus 57th District runner up Paintsville ( 19-8 ).
The semifinals will be Saturday night at 6:30 and 8:00 and the Championship game will be Monday night at 7:00.
2020 15th Region Coach of the Year Chandler Thompson
2020 15th Region Player of the Year Brady Dingess
Martin Co. Senior Brady Dingess and Lawrence Co. Head Coach Chandler Thompson were named KABC Player and Coach of the year in the 15th Region recently.
Dingess led the Cardinals to a 23-7 record and a 57th District Championship. Dingess averaged 26.9 PPG and over 5 rebounds per game as well.
Thompson in his third year coaching the Dawgs helped guide them to a 24-7 record and a runner up finish in the 58th District.
Cassidy Rowe of Shelby Valley was the 15th Region girls player of the year.
