Payton Collins Leads Breathitt Bobcats to 14th Region Title After Owsley Win

Breathitt County captured the Boys 14th Region All "A" Tournament title, edging Leslie County 48-46 to claim the region crown for the second time in three seasons. The tight victory capped a three-game run in which junior Payton Collins led the Bobcats in scoring and emerged as the catalyst for the team's success.

Collins, the Don Franklin Athlete of the Week, set the tone early for Breathitt. The team opened the tournament with a dominant effort against Owsley County that Collins says changed the squad's trajectory. "First game, we played Owsley County and we came out hot against them. That gave us a lot of momentum heading into the Hazard contest and I told our boys we could beat them. It is always a good game between us and Hazard and we ended up coming out on top," Collins said. "Then, that helped us against Leslie County. We played scrappy and ended up coming away with the win."

Head coach Camron Turner cast Collins as the team's on-court leader and emotional center. "He has to be our man. He has to be our leader. This team goes as he goes. He is our returning starter from last season; we have a bunch of young boys around him that is looking up to how he plays," Turner said. Turner also noted Collins' experience on big stages: "He has played in three region championships in three seasons. He started on one of them, he has played at Rupp Arena. He draws so much pressure and attention. But if he gets one or two (shots) to go down then you better watch out. He can knock down five or six in a heartbeat."

The title run carries local significance beyond the scoreboard. In a county where school activities are central to community life, the Bobcats' success strengthens civic pride and offers young athletes a visible example of leadership and resilience. Collins described stepping up after heavy turnover: "We lost eight seniors last year, so I had to take a bigger leadership role and give the guys more confidence, show them what they can do and help them out." That kind of peer leadership matters in communities where extracurricular programs are vital for adolescent physical activity, social connection, and mental health.

The victory also draws attention to broader issues facing rural school athletics: maintaining safe facilities, ensuring travel and equipment funds, and supporting coaches who serve as mentors. Breathitt's win will send the region's representative to the Kentucky All "A" Classic in Owensboro, an opportunity that brings exposure for players and schools but also logistical and equity questions about access and support for small districts.

For Owsley County and neighboring communities, the tournament underscored how regional rivalries and shared gatherings keep towns connected. Breathitt's title run offers a moment to celebrate student achievement while renewing focus on sustaining youth sports as a public health and community development priority. The Bobcats head to Owensboro carrying both a trophy and the expectation that local leaders will back the programs that help young people thrive.