article 13th Region Week 9 Review

1. South Laurel (21-2 overall, 13-0 vs. 13th Region opponents)

The Cardinals are winners of five straight, and remain the only team in the 13th Region to be unbeaten against regional teams.

South Laurel picked up a big 21-point win at home against Corbin before surviving a scare at home against Middlesboro before winning, 70-62.

The trio of JJ Ramey, Matt Cromer and Brett Norvell have been hard to contain as of late while the play of Matthew Dalton, Micah Anders and Alex Hostettler has been key to the Cardinals’ success, too.

2. Corbin (14-5, 9-4)

The power ratings might not have the Redhounds ranked this high, but the they don’t include heart and pride in their respective rating systems.

Coach Tony Pietrowski’s Redhounds continue to surprise even though they dropped a 60-39 road loss to South Laure this past week.

Corbin did manage to respond in a big way by picking up a 70-69 road win over Knox Central following the loss to the Cardinals.

3. Knox Central (18-4, 5-2)

The Panthers suffered their first two-game losing skid of the season when they dropped a 70-69 decision to Corbin at home this past week.

Knox Central continues to play well, and has the talent to win the 13th Region championship, but the Panthers have got to win games against good teams like Corbin, especially when they’re at home.

4. North Laurel (14-8, 5-3)

The Jaguars are 6-1 during their past seven games which include wins over Clay County, Middlesboro, Perry Central and Bardstown.

North Laurel handed Clay County it’s worst loss since 2004 when the Jaguars took advantage of two Tigers starters being out and won, 97-67.

Brad Sizemore’s squad looks to be peaking at the right time behind the play of a solid nucleus of players.

Cole Kelley, Reed Sheppard, Landon Young, Adam Sizemore and Isaiah Alexander are really playing well.

5. Harlan County (16-5, 6-3)

The Black Bears continue to win, and now possess a five-game win streak going into the last few weeks of the season.

Harlan County got a big win over Bell County a few weeks ago, and can lock up the district’s top seed with a win over Middlesboro on Tuesday.

6. Clay County (17-4, 7-3)

The Tigers were able to snap a four-game losing skid by defeating Whitley County last week on the road.

The key to Clay County’s success is to get healthy before postseason play begins. The Tigers suffered a 97-67 setback to North Laurel last week, and will try to build some momentum the next few weeks before postseason play tips-off.

7. Middlesboro (11-9, 6-6)

The Yellow Jackets are riding a three-game losing skid, but I’m telling you now, this team is dangerous. Jabari Kyle continues to show he’s one of, if not the best, point guard in the region.

Middlesboro put a scare into both North Laurel and South Laurel before falling to both teams.

8. Bell County (12-8, 7-7)

The Bobcats now have a four-game win streak with three of the wins coming against Class A teams.

Bell County’s biggest win of the season came on the road against Corbin, but the Bobcats have some big games coming up that could move them up in the rankings if they come out on top.

9. Barbourville (12-6, 10-3)

The Tigers have lost three of their past four games, but did manage to get a big win over Harlan, and could make some big noise this week if they can get wins over teams such as Knox Central, Bell County and Hazard.

10. Harlan (15-8, 7-7)

The Green Dragons are winners of two straight while Killian Ledford scored 38 points during Harlan’s win over Cordia this past week. The Green Dragons’ 107 points against Cordia is the most they’ve scored in a game in more than 20 years.

11. Whitley County (13-10, 2-8)

The Colonels are talented, but continue to remain too inconsistent to be ranked in the top 10.

12. Lynn Camp (10-9, 7-4)

The Wildcats have a shot at moving back into the top 10, but suffered a loss at home to Bell County this past week.

13. Williamsburg (12-10, 7-10)

The Yellow Jackets are another team that has enough talent to surprise, but with that said, they struggle with consistency as well.

14. Red Bird (7-10, 4-8)

The Cardinals got a big win over Jackson County, but dropped three straight after, including a slim 66-65 loss to Williamsburg at home.

15. Pineville (7-15, 1-12)

I really like the coaching job coach James David Strange is doing at Pineville. The Mountain Lions might be 1-5 during their last six games, but continue to get better.

16. Jackson County (5-16, 1-12)

The Generals dropped a 75-58 decision at home to Red Bird, and will need to continue to improve if they want to make some noise come postseason time.

17. Oneida Baptist (3-12, 2-6)

The Mountaineers started the season with a 2-1 mark, but are 1-11 since.