Golden Eagles capture 15th Region title

STAFF REPORT

BSN

PIKEVILLE — Johnson Central is back on top in the 15th Region.

The Golden Eagles defeated Pikeville 81-68 in the 15th Region Boys’ Basketball Tournament title game at Appalachian Wireless Arena on Monday, March 9.

Johnson Central won its first 15th Region title since 2019. With the win, Johnson Central advanced to the UK HealthCare Boys’ Basketball Sweet 16.

Hot-shooting Johnson Central controlled the second half to pull away for the region championship-clinching win.

Johnson Central shot 65.2 percent (30-of-46) from the field. The Golden Eagles shot 46.7 percent (seven-of-15) from three-point range.

Johnson Central shot 87.5 percent (14-of-16) from the free throw line.

Austin Slone led Johnson Central to the victory. Slone poured in a game-high 31 points and was named the 15th Region Boys’ Basketball Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Kyle Rose followed Slone in Johnson Central’s scoring column and recorded a double-double. Rose scored 13 points and hauled in 11 rebounds for the Golden Eagles.

Five players reached double figures in scoring for perennial title contender Johnson Central. Ethan Cole and Brayden Shepherd scored 12 points apiece for Johnson Central while Mason McKenzie netted 10 points.

Rounding out Johnson Central’s individual scoring, Cooper Blair chipped in three points.

Pikeville shot 46.4 percent (26-of-56) from the field. The Panthers shot 32.3 percent (10-of-31) from three-point range.

Pikeville shot 60.0 percent (six-of-10) from three-point range.

Cole Slone (23 points), Jackson Keene (19 points) and Carter Parsons (13 points) each reached double figures in scoring for the Panthers.

The other scorers for Pikeville were Grant Hall (six points), Mark Bowling (five points) and Wesley Buck (two points).

Johnson Central (28-5) is scheduled to meet 10th Region title winner and former state champion George Rogers Clark (29-4) during the opening round of the UK HealthCare Boys’ Basketball Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena in Lexington at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19.