[orisonspi]

Valley has to be the trendy pick and clear favorite...

BUT, I see about three or four teams that can match up very well with Valley.

1. Paintsville- Arguably the most talented team in the 15th. Several quality wins this season. Legendary head coach.

2. Belfry- Pirates have IMO the top player in the 15th region so far this year in Case. They are very good in a fast pace, May matches up well with the Hatfield kid from SV, and the Pirates have had a history of playing Valley close in the regional tournament.

3. Allen Central- Despite all the off-court distractions and their youth, Johnny Martin has put a solid team together who also likes to play in the up-tempo style. They have several heady ball handlers and any team who takes them lightly could very easily get upset. Very scrappy team.... prototypical to what martin produces.

4. Phelps- This may shock people as it is actually shocking to me to write it, but Clay Campbell's Hornets have all the makings of a dark horse. Have some really solid Senior leadership in Hunt and Gannon. They play sound, disciplined basketball. The fact that Phelps has been down for so long makes them even more dangerous because they are a tough team to get up for.

And as hard as it is to say it with their record, Johnson Central can compete with anyone on the 15th on any given night,,, especially when McCarty is hitting. Pikeville will only improve now that both Honaker's are back in action.