SALYERSVILLE — Reigning 15th Region boys’ basketball champion Magoffin County has started preseason practice.
The Hornets, under the direction of Coach Scott Castle, captured the first 15th Region boys’ basketball title in school history in March.
After claiming the 15th Region title, Magoffin County won its opening round game in the KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament.
Junior guard Walker Russell is the lone returning starter for the Hornets. Russell averaged 9.0 points and 6.6 rebounds for Magoffin County in the 2023-24 boys’ high school basketball season.
Aden Barnett, the 2023-24 15th Region Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year, was among the standouts Magoffin County lost to graduation. Barnett averaged 28.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for Magoffin County in the 2023-24 boys’ high school basketball season.
Despite Magoffin County losing four of its five starters to graduation, many fans are anxious to cheer on the Hornets in the upcoming prep hoops campaign.
After reaching the quarterfinals of the KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament, Magoffin County exited the 2023-24 season 22-14.
Along with Russell, junior guards Parker Bowling and Tayte Hall are additional returning players who contributed for Magoffin County on the varsity level during the 2023-24 season.
Magoffin County is slated to host 15th Region foe Betsy Layne for its 2024-25 season opener on Tuesday, Dec. 3.