Boys Top 5

 

On the boys’ side, we have South Laurel remaining as the top team, while Dinky Phipps’ Barbourville Tigers move to No. 2 and North Laurel drops to No. 3.

Clay County remains atop the girls’ rating, while Jennifer Parsons’ Corbin Lady Redhounds are close behind at No. 2.

 

1. South Laurel (11-1)

What’s the scoop: The Cardinals sit atop both the Cantrall and Litkenhouse ratings, while riding an impressive 10-game win streak.

 

Surprise, surprise: South Laurel has won 18 straight games against Kentucky-based teams. The last time a Kentucky high school beat the Cardinals was on Feb. 18, 2005, as Lexington Catholic came to town and dismantled South Laurel 73-57 at ‘The Cardinals’ Nest’.

In another interesting note, South Laurel is winners of 26 out of its last 27 games against Kentucky-based teams. Now that’s impressive.

 

What’s ahead: The Cardinals will host Wayne County Friday and will participate in the Kentucky Prep Classic Saturday against undefeated Beechwood (7-0).

 

2. Barbourville (8-2)

What’s the scoop - Barbourville is a team on the rise. I finally got to see them play this past week and was impressed with the way the Tigers stepped up with Matthew Cox out with an ankle injury in the finals of the Cumberland Falls Invitational.

 

Surprise, surprise: Derick Vanover’s play was tremendous in the Tigers’ win over Greenup County. He distributed the ball well and found CFIT MVP Travis Crawford open many times in the finals. Chris Good is another player I was impressed with.

The one thing that worries me down the stretch and heading into the 13th Region Tournament is Barbourville’s schedule. There aren’t many games that will test the Tigers. Maybe their game against Knox Central and a road contest against OBI.

 

What’s ahead: Barbourville has a district showdown with Knox Central on Friday. Then the Tigers will play Pineville on Tuesday.

 

3. North Laurel (6-5)

What’s the scoop: The Jaguars have been off for a week and enjoyed their rest. North Laurel will be tested on Saturday against a very athletic Christian County squad.

 

Surprise, surprise: North Laurel has lost two in a row, but the Jaguars are still one of the top teams in the 13th Region. North Laurel’s schedule is one of the toughest around.

 

What’s ahead: The Jaguars will tip-off against the Colonels on Saturday.

It doesn’t get any easier the following week, as the Jaguars will play Hazard in the first round of the WYMT Classic.

 

4. Clay County (8-3)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers moved ahead of Corbin because of their 3-1 performance in the Berea Invitational, while the Redhounds went 1-2 in the Cumberland Falls Invitational.

Like I said before, you could draw straws to see who gets the No. 2 -No. 10 spots in the 13th Region this season.

 

Surprise, surprise: With William Jones getting healthier, Clay County is a more dangerous team. The Tigers will be tested early and often this month and will see where they stand after their Jan. 20 game at home against North Laurel.

 

What’s ahead: Clay County has a big showdown today with Harlan on the road before the Tigers will travel to play Powell County on Tuesday. Clay County knocked off Powell County 68-61 in the Berea Invitational on Dec. 29.

 

5. Corbin (7-5)

What’s the scoop: The Redhounds pulled out a come-from-behind win over Middlesboro on Tuesday and look to build from the 78-70 victory.

 

Surprise, surprise: Coach Tony Pietrowski said last week star player Josh Crawford needed some help if the Redhounds were going to beat the teams they needed to beat.

Kyle French must have been listening. He led Corbin in scoring against Middlesboro with a 25-point effort. Crawford followed with 24 points.

 

What’s ahead: Corbin will travel to Whitley County on Friday before hosting Bell County Tuesday.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Cawood (7-5)

What’s the scoop: The Trojans ended their four-game losing streak by defeating Brown and Cumberland this past week. The Trojans will travel to play Evarts on Monday.

 

No. 7 Bell County (8-3)

What’s the scoop: I’m not impressed with Bell County. They are younger than what I expected, but injuries have derailed the Bobcats a bit, so I have been told. Bell County will host Middlesboro Friday and travel to play Corbin on Tuesday.

 

No. 8 Pineville (9-2)

What’s the scoop: The Mountain Lions get their first 13th Region test Friday on the road against Lynn Camp. The Mountain Lions will host Barbourville on Tuesday.

 

No. 9 Harlan (7-2)

What’s the scoop: The Green Dragons won two games this past week - a 49-point win over Williamsburg and an 18-point win over Evarts at home. Harlan has a key game today against Clay County.

 

No. 10 Lynn Camp (8-3)

What’s the scoop: A lot of people asked me why Lynn Camp is here and not Knox Central. I agree, the Panthers have the ability to be a top 10 team in the region, but a 3-7 record - even though the Panthers have played a rough schedule - and a 71-67 home loss to Jackson County keeps Lynn Camp at the this spot. Remember, Lynn Camp has beaten Jackson County twice this season.

The Wildcats will host Pineville Friday and we’ll get to see who is better between Knox Central and the Wildcats at Lynn Camp on Tuesday.

 

Les Dixon is the Sports Editor and can be reached at [email protected]. The Fear ‘Les’ 13th Region boys and girls ratings will be published in every Thursday edition of the Times-Tribune.

Bump

Good Work Les. :thumb:

Thanks. You forgot to say...Who Dey!

Thanks. You forgot to say...Who Dey!

 

Ehhh, you guys will get plenty of chances to say it next season. :sssh:

I'm not saying anything about the STEALers...I mean Steelers. They are a first class organization and I hope they get lost going to Paul Brown this weekend.

^^^

We went back in time Looks good Les

Thanks.

 

2. Barbourville (8-2)

What’s the scoop - Barbourville is a team on the rise. I finally got to see them play this past week and was impressed with the way the Tigers stepped up with Matthew Cox out with an ankle injury in the finals of the Cumberland Falls Invitational.

 

Surprise, surprise: Derick Vanover’s play was tremendous in the Tigers’ win over Greenup County. He distributed the ball well and found CFIT MVP Travis Crawford open many times in the finals. Chris Good is another player I was impressed with.

The one thing that worries me down the stretch and heading into the 13th Region Tournament is Barbourville’s schedule. There aren’t many games that will test the Tigers. Maybe their game against Knox Central and a road contest against OBI.

 

What’s ahead: Barbourville has a district showdown with Knox Central on Friday. Then the Tigers will play Pineville on Tuesday.

 

Considering the fact the game is at Pineville, Tuesday's game against the Mountain Lions will be a good test for the Tigers also. IMO.

Barbourville shouldn't have any problem with Pineville.

Barbourville shouldn't have any problem with Pineville.

The game last year at Barbourville was only a 11 point win for the Tigers. Pineville showed they can slow the game on Barbourville which will be very important on Tuesday. And Barbourville lost alot more than Pineville did.

Barbourville didn't lose as much as you think my friend. Don't get wrong, Coach Strange has done a good job with the Mountain Lions, but they don't stand a chance with B'ville.

Let's see Good, Cox, Crwaford, Vanover...that's a pretty good bunch that has returned.

I know Barbourville has tremendous athletes and Good, Crawford, Grubbs, Cox are all really really great ball players. They blow me away with their athleticism every time I watch them. The game on paper is a blow out but paper doesn't count. Now I'm not saying Pineville will win but Coach Strange showed last year that he can slow down the game (which will be key for Pineville). All I'm saying is it will be a good game.

Barbourville shouldn't have any problem with Pineville.

 

You making this statement will not make Dinky happy.

 

Les, I have been told that your predictions are similar to the SI cover jinx.