article BluegrassPrep's 13th Region Rankings (1-29-18)

1. Corbin (15-4 overall, 8-2 vs. 13th Region competition)

The Redhounds are back at the top spot and are 7-1 sent their loss to Knox Central in the Cumberland Falls Invitational Corbin’s only setback was to South Laurel this past week, but they responded with a big home win against Harlan County. This team is getting better and better as the season progresses.

2. Knox Central (17-4, 7-1)

The Panthers have hit a few bumps int he road the past few weeks with hopes of getting back on track. Knox Central is 2-3 during its past five games. It doesn’t get any easier with games against Whitley County, Frederick Douglass and Tates Creek coming up this week.

3. North Laurel (18-3, 7-2)

The Jaguars are one of the hottest teams in the 13th Region despite a 66-64 setback to Rowan County. North Laurel responded with double digit wins over both Clay County (65-47) and Jackson County (75-45). The Jaguars have a chance to get some revenge this week on the road against South Laurel. The Cardinals won’t he first meeting with ease, 65-49.

4. South Laurel (15-4, 8-2)

The Cardinals saw their five-game win streak snapped Saturday with a 56-52 loss at home against a much-improved Paul Laurence Dunbar team. The Bulldogs are not healthy and were coming off a big win over Bryan Station. South Laurel hung close, but couldn’t pull off the win.

5. Harlan County (15-5, 8-3)

The Black Bears are struggling currently with a 2-4 record during their past six games. Three of the four losses have come against some of the best teams in the 13th Region — Corbin, Knox Central and South Laurel.

6. Lynn Camp (15-3, 10-2)

The Wildcats’ first-ever trip to the state tournament didn’t turn out as many would have hoped, but coach Dinky Phipps’ squad knows they have a whole lot of season remaining to make some noise. Don’t sleep on Lynn Camp, this team is good.

7. Bell County (13-5, 5-3)

The Bobcats have now won three in a row, including a 72-71 win over Lynn Camp, after losing back-to-back games to Knox Central and Harlan County. I’ve said this the entire season — Bell County is good enough to pull off an upset in the postseason.

8. Clay County (12-11, 7-4)

The Tigers’ inconsistent season continues. They suffered a 65-47 home loss to North Laurel this past week, but managed to recover by hitting a last second shot to knock off Whitley County.

9. Jackson County (12-8, 5-5)

The new year hasn’t been took kind to the Generals. Jackson County is 4-5 so far during the month of January. Four of those losses have come against some of the best teams in the 13th Region.

10. Williamsburg (9-11, 7-8)

The Yellow Jackets move up into the top 10 after defeating a reeling Whitley County squad at home. The 56-47 win over the Colonels snapped a two-game losing skid.

11. Whitley County (6-16, 1-8)

The Colonels are 1-9 during their last 10 games. Four of those losses have been by six points or less. This teams is talented, but just doesn’t seem like it can get over the hump.

12. Barbourville (10-9, 4-5)

The Tigers continue to be a team to keep an eye on. They picked up a big 77-68 win over Leslie County this past week.

13. Middlesboro (10-11, 4-7)

The Yellow Jackets are now 3-3 during their past six games after defeating Burgin this past week, 62-13.

14. Oneida Baptist (7-9, 3-9)

The Mountaineers’ two-game win streak was snapped after falling to North Laurel, 67-49.

15. Harlan (3-12, 2-7)

The Green Dragons are quietly turning things around. They’ve not won back-to-back games for the first time this season after beating Middlesboro (74-69) and Pineville (55-52) this past week.

16. Red Bird (7-12, 1-10)

The Cardinals played Clay County close before falling, 73-61. They followed with a 75-61 loss to Jackson County before defeating Riverside Christian, 71-19.

17. Pineville (4-15, 1-10)

The Mountain Lions have now lost six games in a row.

Les, I like your rankings, though I might be tempted to switch North and South. It's a close call , though. Would you agree that any of the top five teams are capable of winning the region, even though Corbin and Knox would have to be the prohibitive favorites?