Top 5 Preview: Region 15

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KHSAA Basketball season is officially underway and this season looks to be pretty open. There is so much talent in the bluegrass state right now and this season is shaping up to be a great one. It's time for my annual "Top 5 Preview" where I break down the top 5 teams and college prospects in each region. These are the top 5 college prospects, not the top 5 high school players right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 5 Teams:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson Central - The Golden Eagles are loaded with veteran talent and have several returning starters. Austin Slone and Brayden Shepherd are a talented Senior backcourt. Mason McKenzie and Cooper Blair are two solid Juniors. With their experience and scoring ability, Johnson Central will be a tough out in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin County - Braxton Keathley is out but Martin County added a bunch of talent in his place. Junior Keaton Terry is a workhorse in the post while Coach James had several other transfers move into the district over the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawrence County - Another team with some new faces, it will be the returning CJ Waller who should be the focal point of the Bulldog offense. Transfer Bryson Dials scored a lot of points for Martin County last season and will suit up for Lawrence this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belfry - The Pirates probably have the most depth of anyone in the region but lack the star power that some others in the region possess. Seniors Carter Jude, Bo Williams, Colten Young, Brody Little and Carson Blalock provide quality depth and transfer Jaxson Pack is a true X Factor for Coach Brent Perry's team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pikeville - Cole Slone is one of the top returners in the region and it's hard to imagine the 15th region title race not having Pikeville firmly in the mix. It will be interesting to see who steps up for the Panthers. Eighth grader Baron Crum is a name to monitor who could be a breakout player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 5 College Prospects:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2734710' first='Keaton' last='Terry'], Martin County - Keaton was one of the top players in West Virginia last season before relocating across the border to Martin County. A big body who rebounds at a high rate and can play around the rim, Terry is going to be a tough cover for regional foes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2726638' first='CJ' last='Waller'], Lawrence County - CJ is another big body who has a chance to be the best player in the region on any given night. If Waller gets more consistent, he could get Lawrence County to Rupp Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2748362' first='Bryson' last='Dials'], Lawrence County - A big time scorer who basically took turns shooting the ball with Braxton Keathley last year. Now at Lawrence, Dials can play on or off the ball comfortably. He and Waller should make a tough duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2900459' first='Brayden' last='Shepherd'], Johnson Central - A big time shooter who has become more comfortable as a playmaker over the years. Brayden has the potential to be the leader for a Johnson Central team with their eyes on Rupp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1745584' first='Austin' last='Slone'], Johnson Central - Slone has been the leading scorer for the Eagles for the last couple of seasons. A very athletic guard who can get into the paint consistently, Austin and Shepherd have been a dynamic duo since they entered high school and have the potential to end their careers as two of the best to play in the region over the last decade or so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Most Likely Mr. Basketball Finalist:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2726638' first='CJ' last='Waller'], Lawrence County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->