article Inside the 13th Region (01-09-16)

13th region Rankings

1. Corbin (10-2 overall, 3-0 vs. 13th Region competition)

The Redhounds turned in a 1-1 record this past week, slipping past Clay County at home with a 73-67 win while dropping a 61-52 decision to Lexington Christian during Saturday’s Raymond Reed Classic. Corbin will play back-to-back 50th District games against Williamsburg and Whitley County on Tuesday and Friday before hosting Harlan County in a big 13th Region showdown on Saturday. Junior guard Andrew Taylor continues to shine, leading the team with a 28.0 scoring average.

2. South Laurel (14-4, 4-1)

The Cardinals are beginning to peak at the right time. South Laurel has now won four straight games after defeating No. 3 ranked Covington Catholic at home Saturday during the Raymond Reed Classic, 62-56. Jeff Davis’ squad has recorded some impressive wins this season by defeating the likes of George Rogers Clark, North Laurel, Pikeville, Perry Central, Covington Scott (twice), Graves County, Russellville and now Covington catholic. South Laurel will have a tough road test Thursday against Clay County. Jared Grubb leads the Cardinals with a 20.6 scoring average.

3. Knox Central (10-4, 3-1)

The Panthers turned in an impressive 2-1 effort in the WYMT Mountain Classic, and could have easily won the tournament, but saw a 19-point lead against Perry Central turn into a 54-53 loss to the Commodores. With that said, Tony Patterson’s squad is good, very good. The duo of Markelle Turner and Wade Liford is hard to stop, but I also like the way Tanner Wells and Nick Martin is playing as well. Turner leads Knox Central with 17.8 scoring average while Liford is tossing in 16.3 points per game.

4. Harlan County (17-1, 6-0)

The Black Bears suffered their first loss of the season after dropping as 68-52 decision to Perry Central in the finals of the WYMT Mountain Classic. Harlan County did manage to get two big wins during the tournament by defeating both Cordia and North Laurel. Cameron Carmical turned in solid efforts in both wins, hitting a half court shot at the buzzer to beat the Lions while his 3-pointer to beat the buzzer at the end of the third quarter against the Jaguars turned out to be huge. He leads Harlan County with an 18.6 scoring average.

5. North Laurel (14-3, 3-2)

The Jaguars also turned in an impressive 2-1 showing in the WYMT Mountain Classic. They destroyed hazard, winning 72-44, while defeating Magoffin County as well, 79-70. Their lone loss came int he semifinals, as Harlan County picked up an impressive 82-78 win. Senior guard Peyton Broughton did manage to break the tournament’s single-game scoring record by pouring in 56 points against the Black Bears. Broughton leads the 13th Region with a 34.3 scoring average.

6. Clay County (7-7, 3-3)

The Tigers played only one game this past week, losing to Corbin, 73-67. Logan Gabbard scored 17 points in the loss on 9-of-14 shooting while Will Sexton added 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting from he floor. Clay County will try to snap its four-game losing skid Thursday at home against South Laurel.

7. Whitley County (6-8, 2-3)

The Colonels posted a 1-0 record this past week by defeating Jackson County at home, 68-65. Whitley County now has two wins during its past three games.

8. Barbourville (8-4, 4-3)

The Tigers are winners of two straight and had a huge win over 51st District foe Pineville this past week. Coach Derek Collins has his team heading in the right direction.

9. Pineville (10-4, 5-1)

The Mountain Lions already have 10 wins, but this team has me scratching my head. They’re very hard to read, and even more difficult after their loss to 51st District foe Barbourville this past week.

10. Lynn Camp (8-5, 3-1)

The Wildcats are losers of five straight, but I still like what coach Dinky Phipps has done with his team this season. Don’t sleep on the Wildcats, they could surprise.

11. Jackson County (7-6, 2-4)

The Generals are a team to keep an eye out on despite their current two-game losing streak.

12. Bell County (7-10, 2-3)

The Bobcats have now won two in a row, thanks to the play of Victor Morris, who leads the team with an 11.8 scoring average.

13. Harlan (5-6, 1-2)

The Green Dragons are hoping to get back to .500 with a win this week against Red Bird.

14. Williamsburg (2-9, 1-3)

The Yellow Jackets’ record isn’t pretty, but this team has enough talent to put a scare in some teams. Caleb Rose leads Williamsburg with a 16.1 scoring average.

15. OBI (3-6, 1-5)

The Mountaineers are struggling, they have dropped four of their last five games.

16. Red Bird (5-6, 1-5)

The Cardinals started the season with a 3-1 record, but have lost three of their last four games. Austin Napier leads Red Bird with an 18.7 scoring average.

17. Middlesboro (2-10, 0-7)

The Yellow Jackets are losers of four straight, but they are improving. Six of their losses are by 12 points or less.