article 13th Region Week 2 Review

1. North Laurel (4-1 overall, 2-0 vs. 13th Region competition)

The Jaguars are winners of four straight since their loss to Collins to open the season.

North Laurel moves into the top spot after seeing Clay County fall to Hazard on Saturday. I expect to see these two teams switch places a handful of times throughout the season.

Freshmen Reed Sheppard and Ryan Davidson have been playing well along with senior Cole Kelley and sophomore Eli Sizemore.

Sheppard has been flirting with a triple-double the past few games while Davidson and Kelley have provided scoring and rebounding for North Laurel.

Sizemore has been key with the Isaiah Alexander out due to a back injury. Sizemore’s 3-point shooting has been spot-on for the Jaguars.

North Laurel has a big test this week against South Laurel.

2. Clay County (5-1, 2-0)

The Tigers looked as if they were going to cruise to another WYMT Mountain Classic championship, but Hazard managed to snap Clay County’s five-game win streak and knock off the Tigers, 57-43. The 43 points were the lowest scoring output of the season for Clay County.

Things don’t get any easier this week for the Tigers with the King of the Bluegrass coming up.

Clay County will face-off Madisonville-North Hopkins to begin the tournament.

3. South Laurel (5-1, 2-0)

The Cardinals also saw their five-game win streak snapped after falling to 12th Region power Lincoln County on Saturday, 54-40.

The 40 points were the lowest offensive output of the season by South Laurel, as Matt Cromer led the way with 19 points. He scored 34 points during the Cardinals’ win over Bowling Green on Friday.

South Laurel has two tests this week with games against Corbin and North Laurel.

4. Harlan County (3-2, 1-1)

The Black Bears split a pair of games this past week by surviving an overtime thriller against 52nd District foe Bell County (65-59) before falling to Pulaski County (74-69) on Saturday.

Harlan County has all of the ingredients to make a push for the 13th Region championship and the key to its success could depend on Taylor Spurlock, who leads the team with a 24-point scoring average.

5. Knox Central (2-1, 0-0)

The Panthers posted a 1-1 mark during the WYMT Mountain Classic, but our on a show during their 71-58 win over Pike Central.

Jevonte Turner scores 30 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and recorded six assists during the 13-point win.

Knox Central will be tested again with some more tournaments coming up and won’t play their first 13th Region battle until Jan. 2 against Harlan County.

6. Corbin (3-1, 2-1)

The Redhounds are 3-0 since their season-opening loss to Clay County.

The trip of Josh Hibbitts, Matt Taylor and Cole Hicks have been hrs to stop during Corbin’s three-game win streak.

Coach Tony Pietrowski recorded his 400th career win during the Redhounds’ 55-44 victory over Middlesboro this past week.

The Redhounds also picked up a huge 84-74 50th District win over Williamsburg at home a few days ago that saw Corbin fight back from a late-game five point deficit.

A lot of folks counted the Redhounds out after their loss to Clay County, but like I’ve said, you can never count out a Tony Pietrowski-coached team.

7. Williamsburg (4-1, 2-1)

The Yellow Jackets lost a heartbreaker on Friday after dropping an 84-74 decision to 50th District for Corbin.

It was a game Williamsburg led throughout Friday’s contest, but the Yellow Jackets just couldn’t hold on.

Nick Napier’s squad responded well on Saturday by upending Leslie County with ease, 81-55.

8. Barbourville (4-1, 3-1)

The Tigers continue their impressive play after picking up wins over McCreary Central and Red Bird, but dropped a 79-61 decision to Madison Southern on Saturday.

9. Bell County (0-3, 0-2)

The Bobcats are probably ranked a tad bit too low, but until they get a win, I can’t move them up any spots.

Bell County almost pulled off a victory over Harlan County, but dropped a 65-59 overtime decision to their 52nd District counterparts.

They followed the loss with a 57-55 setback on the road to Estill County.

10. Middlesboro (2-2, 1-2)

The Yellow Jackets has a chance to move up, but dropped a 55-44 decision at home to Corbin, but did respond with a 55-44 win over an improved Pineville squad.

11. Oneida Baptist (4-3, 4-2)

The Mountaineers are edging closer to the Top 10, but took one on the chin Saturday when they fell to North Laurel, 79-46.

They do have regional wins over Red Bird, Jackson County, Pineville and Lynn Camp.

12. Lynn Camp (4-1, 1-1)

Dinky Phipps’ squad saw their four-game win streak get snapped after falling on the road to OBI, 66-62.

The Wildcats have a chance to get back o track this week with a home game against Williamsburg.

13. Whitley County (2-4, 0-2)

The young Colonels are quietly getting better. They snapped a four-game losing skid with a 76-72 win over White Academy, Tenn. this past week.

14. Pineville (3-2, 1-2)

The Mountain Lions are much-improves from lat season, thanks to the play of Sean Phipps, who is averaging 18.6 this season.

15. Jackson County (3-2, 1-2)

The Generals are getting better each time they step into the court. They’re currently riding a two-game win streak after beating both Powell County (97-76) and Owsley County (67-61)z

16. Harlan (1-5, 1-3)

The Green Dragons are struggling. Losing the services of Jordan Akal has been a big blow to Harlan.

17. Red Bird (1-4, 0-4)

The Cardinals almost knocked off Barbourville before losing 64-61, but did pick up a 65-45 win over June Buchanan.

Bump.

What happened to Akal?