article 13th Region Week 11 Review

1. South Laurel (24-2 overall, 15-0 vs. 13th Region competition)

The Cardinals are winners of eight in a row and 23 of their last 24 games.

Coach Jeff Davis has dine a fantastic job with this year’s team, and has South Laurel in a fine position to capture another 13th Region championship.

Players such as JJ Ramey, Matt Cromer and Brett Norvell have been solid contributors the entire season, but Micah Anders, Alex Hostettler, Landon Wombles and Peyton Parker have been stepping up as well.

2. Knox Central (23-4, 8-2)

Just a few weeks ago, many were ready to write off the Panthers.

Knox Central has now won six games in a row, and has scored at least 90 points or more during its past three games.

The Panthers are averaging 86.1 points per game during their win streak, and will look to extend it this week against some tough competition.

Tony Patterson’s squad will host Clay County, Knott Central and North Laurel to finish regular season play.

3. North Laurel (18-9, 6-4)

The Jaguars are another team that has been rolling along. Yes, they had a minor setback after their loss to crosstown rival South Laurel last week, but responded with wins over both Garrard County and Corbin.

Eighth grader Reed Sheppard continues to shine for the Jaguars. He scored 29 points, grabbed nine rebounds while dishing out seven assists and finishing with four steals during North Laurel’s win over Corbin this past week.

The scary thing is Sheppard is only 14-years old, and is already one of the best players in the region.

4. Harlan County (18-6, 8-4)

The Black Bears saw their seven-game win streak come to an end this week after dropping a surprising 77-51 loss on the road to Barbourville.

Granted, Taylor Spurlock didn’t play, and that’ s huge Harlan County.

Look for Mike Jones’ squad to get back on track this week with games against Cordia and Whitley County.

5. Clay County (20-6, 8-3)

When the Tigers lose, they lose, but with that said, it looks like they’re heading into the right direction despite dropping their third 30-point plus loss in as many weeks.

Clay County paid top-ranked Scott County a visit this past week, and lost, 106-71. The Tigers responded with an 82-42 win over Red Bird.

6. Corbin (17-7, 11-5)

The Redhounds can’t seem to get much going on eithet end of the court since the new year.

Corbin is 6-6 since Jan. 1, but he a chance to beat North Laurel this past week, but fell on the road by 10 points.

Tony Pietrowski’s squad needs to get back on track this week, and should, with games against Pulaski County and Bluegrass United coming up.

7. Barbourville (18-8, 14-5)

The Tigers blasted Harlan County last week by 26 points. Cody Messer continues to do a great job, and will look for his troops to grab a couple of wins this week before postseason play begins.

If Barbourville is gonna get some wins this week, the Panthers will have to do it on the road against Williamsburg and McCreary Central.”

8. Harlan (17-10, 8-9)

The Green Dragons are 4-4 during their past eight games, and have three tough games this week against the likes of North Laurel, Lynn Camp, and Clay County.

9. Middlesboro (14–2, 9–9)

The Yellow Jackets had a chance to move up in the rankings, but fell to Harlan by six points.

Lewis Morris’ squad has the talent to make a run at the 52nd District crown, but they’ll have to improve some to do so.

10. Williamsburg (15-12, 8-12)

I like this team a lot.

The Yellow Jackets posses one of the best scoring duos in the region with both Caleb Rose and Slaht Hunter putting on a show.

I don’t know if Williamsburg will advance to the 13th Region Tournament, but whoever the Yellow Jackets play in the 50th District Tournament is gonna have their hands full.

11. Bell County (16-10, 9-9)

The Bobcats are beginning to heat up. They’ve now won three games in a row, and are hoping to be peaking going into the 52nd districy Tournament.

12. Lynn Camp (14-12, 9-6)

The Wildcats have had a hard time to get any consistency going. They are 7-6 since Christ Break and will try to enter the 51st District with some confidence, but to do so they must beat Harlan and Middlesboro.

13. Whitley County (14-13, 3-10)

It looks as if the Colonels will be limping into postseason play. They are 2-5 during their last seven games, and can’t seem to catch a break.

Whitley County is 1-4 during its last four games, and that includes the losses to regional foes Clay County, Williamsburg and Corbin.

14. Pineville (9-16, 2-13)

The Mountain Lions have a long way to go, but I’m impressed with the way they have never thrown in the towel. They continue to work hard and improve, and I really believe they’re gonna be a hard team to beat in the near future.

15. Oneida Baptist (6-15, 4-9)

The Mountaineers just can’t seem to gain any traction right now. Oneida Baptist still has hopes of reaching the region tourney. They have defeated the Jackson County Generals twice this season and that’s who they will be facing next week in the 49th District Tournament.

16. Red Bird (8-17, 4-13)

The Cardinals got off to a good start, but just couldn’t get a signature win. But with that said, there is a lot of games left for Red Bird to get the big win.

17. Jackson County (7-19, 1-14)

The Generals only have one 13th Region win this season. Now they’re gonna switch their focus and see what Oneida Baptist does down the stretch. The two teams will be facing off against each other in a couple of weeks in an elimination game during semifinal play of the 49th District Tournament.