Fourteenth Region Preview

Preseason Rankings...
1. Hazard
2. June Buchanan
3. Lee County
4. Perry County Central
5. Powell County
6. Cordia
7. Letcher County Central
8. Leslie County
9. Jackson City
10. Buckhorn
11. Breathitt County
12. Estill County
13. Knott County Central
14. Wolfe County
15. Owsley County
16. Jenkins
17. Riverside Christian

Three Things To Watch...
--Many regions are interesting to watch, but I can't think of another region in the state of Kentucky that is more fun to follow than the 14th region. Just consider some of the storylines that developed at the end of last season: defending regional champion Perry County Central, despite a brilliant 21-5 campaign, fell to Hazard in the first round of district, sending them home early. The win propelled Hazard to a regional championship, their first since 2001. On the way there, they beat rising power June Buchanan in the regional semifinals 66-63 in double overtime. Once they reached the finals, they met a Jackson City team which had lost their last four regular season games, but had rallied to win the 55th district and beat Leslie County in the other regional semi in overtime as well. When the smoke cleared, Hazard took it on the chin at state, but not before some fun was had. Expect the same competitive nature this season.

--Hazard should be considered the favorite, but June Buchanan is the team to watch in the 14th region. The Crusaders scored 23 wins last season, and this summer finished runner-up in a state AAU tournament. Led by junior point guard Clark Stepp and freshman guard Tate Cox, June Buchanan has the individual talent that can help them challenge for a regional championship, something the school has never accomplished.

--Given all the postseason chaos of a year ago, it's no surprise that there was plenty of coaching turnover in the 14th region. The regional champions themselves have a new coach, in a way. Lewis Morris returns to the bench for the Bulldogs, as he coached Hazard in the 1990's. Other schools with new men at the helm include Knott County Central, Powell County and Owsley County.

Five Early Games I'd See...
--December 7th: Lee County @ Jackson City
--December 12th: Hazard @ Perry County Central
--December 14th: Cordia @ Perry County Central
--December 15th: June Buchanan vs. Mason County (Perry County Central Classic)
--December 16th: Holmes @ Hazard

Last Year...
Regional Champion: Hazard
Regional Runner-up: Jackson City
Regional Semifinalists: June Buchanan, Leslie County