article 13th Region Rankings Jan. 25-Feb.1

****NOTE, due to winter weather most teams didn't play a game****

1. South Laurel (15-4 overall, 7-1 ) — Despite dropping a 65-58 decision on Saturday to Taylor County, South Laurel had a pretty darn good week. Good enough to get back into the top spot after defeating Clay County, 70-51, at home. The 19-point win was impressive because the Cardinals just recorded a 67-49 win over the Tigers five days earlier, and didn't show any let down this past Tuesday. South Laurel is now 2-0 against Clay County. South Laurel also picked up a win over Powell County Monday. The Cardinals’ have three losses against top 25 teams by a combined 10 points. This schedule they are playing will do nothing but help Jeff Davis’ squad down the stretch. And, keep an eye on Andrew Griffith, he’s starting to catch fire, and that spells trouble for opposing teams.

2. Harlan County (14-4, 6-1) — The Black Bears are losers of two straight after dropping a 57-55 decision to Corbin on the road. Since that loss, Harlan County has been on a 10-day layoff. The Black Bears will have a chance to stop the streak Thursday on the road against Clay County, and then back in action again Friday against bell County.

3. Clay County (15-5, 9-2) — Yes, the Tigers were struggling, but with that said, got back on a roll after defeating 49th District foe North Laurel, 69-67. Basketball is all about match-ups, and I’m not sure Clay County matches up well with South Laurel, but with that said, the Tigers match-up well with North Laurel. They lost Will Sexton to an injury, and he could be out for a while, but now they have Daniel Decker playing, who averaged six points last season for Oneida Baptist.

4. North Laurel (16-2, 6-2) — The Jaguars were the hottest team in the region before losing to Clay County Tuesday, 69-67, which snapped their 13-game win streak. North Laurel had a chance to tie the game on two different occasions during the game’s final minute, but couldn't get the job done.

5. Knox Central (10-5, 6-2) — Another team to keep an eye on is Knox Central. The Panthers are winners of six straight while averaging 79 points a contest, as both Chad Marsee and Wade Liford have been dominating lately on both offense and defense. Their come from behind victory at Corbin was impressive. Knox Central trailed 54-44 with 4:30 remaining in the game before rallying to score the game’s final 14 points. Tony Patterson’s squad saw their five-game win streak come to an end this past week against Scott county.

6. Corbin (11-8, 5-4) — The Redhounds are suffered a setback after losing to 54-44 lead, and eventually the game to Knox Central. They did respond Tuesday with a blowout win over Jackson County. One thing that’s been consistent for Corbin is the play of sophomore Andrew Taylor. He continues to lead the way for his team.

7. Whitley County (11-8, 5-5) — The Colonels suffered a tough setback, losing to 50th District foe Corbin Friday at home, 63-49. The loss almost certainly knocks Whitley County out of any chance of being the district’s one seed when they host the district tournament in late February.

They did respond with a nice win over Bell County.

8. Bell County (9-9, 4-4) — The Bobcats are one of those teams that could surprise one of our teams in the top five and beat them. The inside play of Zach Partin and outside shooting of Victor Morris makes Bell County dangerous despite seeing the Bobcats lose to Whitley County on Monday.

9. Pineville (14-4, 9-2) — The Mountain Lions shocked everyone by dominating Barbourville, 82-53, during first round action of the 13th Region All “A” Classic Tournament. They will now face Oneida Baptist in the finals.

10. Barbourville (11-8, 7-4) — The Tigers saw their three-game win streak come to an end in the first round of the 13th Region All “A” Classic tournament by losing to Pineville, 82-53. They had just beaten the Mountain Lions the week before, 91-74.

11. OBI (7-8, 5-7) — The Mountaineers are one win away from capturing the 13th Region All “A” Classic championship.

12. Lynn Camp (11-7, 6-5) — After starting the season 9-1, the Wildcats have struggled, losing five out of their last seven games.

13. Williamsburg (2-11, 2-9) — The Yellow Jackets knocked off Harlan, and almost upset Pineville in the semifinals.

14. Harlan (11-8, 4-5) — The Green Dragons were upset by Williamsburg Tuesday during first round action of the 13th Region All “A” Classic Tournament.

15. Jackson County (6-10, 1-7) — The Generals are struggling. They have dropped seven of their last nine games.

16. Middlesboro (1-19, 1-13) — The Yellow Jackets only have one win, but keep improving.

17. Red Bird (3-12, 0-10) — The Cardinals are 2-3 during their last five games.