Paintsville High School’s basketball season ended on the state’s biggest stage.
One key factor was the solid play of junior Colby Fugate. He came up big for the Tigers in the 15th Region championship game against cross-town rival Johnson Central.
Paintsville returned to the state tournament for the first time since 2008. Fugate averaged 21 points per game.
The season he had on the basketball court has earned him Mountain Top Sports’ Player of the Year honor, which is shared with head coach Landon Slone who was tabbed for the coaching honor.
Martin County junior Brady Dingess was named captain of the first time while Betsy Layne’s Brady Robinson leads the second team. Belfry’s DeMahjae Clark heads up the third unit.
Here is a look at the Mountain Top Sports boys’ All-Area basketball teams:
Coach of the Year: Landon Slone, Paintsville
Player of the Year: Colby Fugate, Jr., Paintsville, 21 ppg.
FIRST TEAM
Brady Dingess, Jr., Martin County, 22.1 ppg. (Capt.)
Isaiah May, Sr., Johnson Central, 16.3 ppg.
Jordan Frazier, Sr. Betsy Layne, 21.1 ppg.
Cory VanHoose, Sr., Johnson Central, 17.2 ppg.
Rylee Samons, Jr., Pikeville, 21.8 ppg.
Braxton Tharp, Sr., Paintsville, 12.6 ppg.
Sal Dean, So., Belfry, 16 ppg.
Keian Worrix, Sr., Shelby Valley, 15 ppg.
Josh Du Toit, Sr., Pike Central, 19.2 ppg.
SECOND TEAM
Brady Robinson, Jr., Betsy Layne, 19.9 ppg. (Capt.)
Isaac Woods, Jr., East Ridge, 14.7 ppg.
Kaden Robinson, Sr., Shelby Valley, 17.9 ppg.
Connor Fugate, So., Paintsville, 11 ppg.
Joby Johnson, Sr., Letcher Central, 13.3 ppg.
Aden Barnett, So., Magoffin County, 23 ppg.
Chase Mims, Jr., Betsy Layne, 13 ppg.
Bol Kuir, Jr., Belfry, 13.8 ppg.
Ryan Rose, So., Prestonsburg, 12.4 ppg.
THIRD TEAM
DeMahjae Clark, So., Belfry, 12.4 ppg, (Capt.)
Ronnie Sammons, So., Floyd Central, 16.2 ppg.
Eli Rose, Sr., East Ridge, 11.3 ppg.
Laithan Hall, Jr., Pikeville, 11.4 ppg.
Jaylan Rigdon, Fr., Pike Central, 16.4 ppg.
Cody Maynard, Jr., Lawrence County, 20.6 ppg.
Jaeshon Nugent, Sr., Phelps, 14.7 ppg.
Luke Hale, Fr., Martin County, 14.2 ppg.
Trenton Adkins, Jr., Lawrence County, 18.9 ppg.