Tigers take 15th Region title

Paintsville defeated crosstown rival Johnson Central 48-46 in overtime in the 15th Region Boys' Basketball Tournament title game at the Appalachian Wireless Arena on Saturday, March 27. Photo courtesy of Paintsville High School

STAFF REPORT

BSN

PIKEVILLE — The Paintsville Tigers are back on top in the 15th Region.

Senior Jaxon Watts scored on a putback shortly before the final buzzer sounded to lift Paintsville over crosstown rival Johnson Central 48-46 in overtime in the 15th Region Boys' Basketball Tournament title game at the Appalachian Wireless Arena on Saturday, March 27.

Paintsville captured its first 15th Region boys' basketball championship since 2008.

Following the win, Paintsville improved to 15-8.

Johnson Central ended its season 21-4 with the loss.

Watts' putback was the only points scored in the overtime period. It was his only points in the title game.

Paintsville led 10-7 at the end of the opening quarter but faced multiple deficits during the region title game.

Johnson Central outscored Paintsville 18-10 in the second quarter to lead 25-20 at halftime.

The Golden Eagles led 36-32 at the conclusion of the third quarter before regulation ended with the two 57th District boys' basketball teams tied 46-46.

Colby Fugate scored a game-high 26 points to lead Paintsville to the win. Fugate provided Paintsville's first 15 points in the second half.

Nearly reaching double figures for the Tigers, Baron Ratliff netted nine points.

Cory VanHoose paced Johnson Central, scoring a team-high 15 points for the Golden Eagles. Finishing behind VanHoose in scoring for Johnson Central, Ryleh McKenzie and Conner Lemaster netted eight points apiece.

Under the direction of head coach Landon Slone, Paintsville is set to face 12th Region champion Boyle County in the opening round of the Boys' Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena in Lexington at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 1.

All-15th Region Boys' Basketball Tournament Team

Bryce Adkins (Pike County Central)

Trenton Adkins (Lawrence County)

DeMahjae Clark (Belfry)

Sal Dean (Belfry)

MVP - Colby Fugate (Paintsville)

Connor Fugate (Paintsville)

Isaiah May (Johnson Central)

Ryleh McKenzie (Johnson Central)

Jon Mills (East Ridge)

Chase Mims (Betsy Layne)

Baron Ratliff (Paintsville)

Brady Robinson (Betsy Layne)

Braxton Tharp (Paintsville)

Cory VanHoose (Johnson Central)

Jaxon Watts (Paintsville)

Keian Worrix (Shelby Valley)