The first week of 13th Region boys had a lot of action as the prep basketball season tipped off last week. I’m not going to waste anyone’s time, so let’s get to what some of you might have missed the past week.

 

Player of the Week

We have some good nominees this week with Middlesboro’s Austin Poindexter, Lynn Camp’s Zach Smith, Clay County’s Tyler McDaniel, Barbourville’s Alexander Phipps and Devon Mills and Corbin’s Zack Farley, but when it came down to it, you have to go with Farley.

The senior guard from Corbin tallied 49 points in two games for the Redhounds this past week, which turned out to be two wins for Tony Pietrowski’s squad.

 

Injury Bug

North Laurel’s big man Jake Allen will be out at least three weeks due to an injury to his finger while Lynn Camp coach Clyde Dixon is left searching for another scorer after senior forward Chase Turner went down with an injury.

But that’s not all. The South Laurel Cardinals already had Austin Rader out before the season began and now they’ll be without both starting guards Trevor Grubb and Blake Sanders due to hand injuries.

 

Game of the Week

Jackson County 55, Pineville 51 — This game had a regional tournament atmosphere to it, as the Generals proved they are going to be a team to reckon with this season.

 

Upcoming must watch games

Boys

Harlan County at Pineville, today

Clay County at Corbin, Dec. 4

Jackson County at North Laurel, Dec. 6

Whitley County at South Laurel, Dec. 6

Harlan County at Middlesboro, Dec. 7

 

This past week’s biggest games

Jackson County 55, Pineville 51 The Generals asserted themselves as a team on the rise after going on the road to knock off the Mountain Lions Tuesday.

 

Corbin 75, Wayne County 72

Redhound coach Tony Pietrowski didn’t know what to expect out of his team entering Friday’s contest with Wayne County and what he got was an impressive win.

 

Middlesboro 73, Barbourville 60

The Yellow Jackets might be flying under the radar at the present time, but if they continue to play like they did against Barbourville they won’t for long.

 

Outstanding efforts of the week

 

Barbourville’s Alexander Phipps started the season off on the right foot by scoring a career high 24 points while hitting five three-pointers during the Tigers’ 88-36 win over Jellico, Tenn. Monday. Teammate Devon Mills also had an impressive game by pouring in a 22-point effort during Barbourville’s win.

 

After missing most of last season due to an injury, South Laurel senior Blake Sanders looked like he was in old form by leading the Cardinals in scoring with 17 points during their 73-57 loss at home to Wayne County Tuesday.

 

Bell County junior Tyler Potter scored a game-high 33 points during a losing cause at Whitley County on Tuesday. The Bobcats dropped a 72-71 decision in overtime to the Colonels.

 

Knox Central sophomore Jeffrey Adams came off the bench and scored 23 points to lead the Panthers to a 65-54 win over Cumberland Gap, Tenn. on Tuesday.

 

Harlan’s Isaiah Johnson threw down a couple of dunks and scored 17 points, but the Green Dragons’ upset attempt fall short against the defending 13th Region champion North Laurel, as the Jaguars won, 66-62.

 

North Laurel eighth grader Peyton Broughton turned a lot of heads during his first varsity game by just missing out on a triple-double. Broughton scored 12 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and recorded seven steals during the Jaguars’ 66-62 win over Harlan Tuesday.

 

After seeing his team get beat by Jackson County just a couple of days before, Pineville’s Jon Simpson took matters into his own hands and scored 23 points to lead the Mountain Lions to an easy 61, 36 win over Thomas Walker, Va. Thursday. Teammate Jared Philpot also scored in double figures with 12 points.

 

Red Bird’s Erik Young turned some heads Thursday by posting a game-high 40 points during the Cardinals’ 72-64 loss to Piarist.

 

North Laurel’s Kendrick Henson stepped up in a big way by scoring a team-best 21 points while dishing out nine assists during the Jaguars’ 99-32 win over OBI Friday. Teammate Marcus Carson recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.

 

Lynn Camp’s Zach Smith recorded a double-double during the Wildcats’ 68-62 win over Berea Friday. He finished the game with a 21-point, 14-rebound effort.

 

Middlesboro’s Austin Poindexter opened the season in fine fashion by coming off the bench to score 30 points and grab 10 rebounds during the Yellow Jackets’ 73-60 win over Barbourville Friday. Teammate Donnie Foister scored 25 points and hit seven-of-nine shot attempts from the free-throw line. Barbourville’s Devon Mills led the Tigers with 24 points — his second 20-plus scoring effort of the week.

 

Corbin’s Zack Farley had a fantastic week, scoring 25 points during the Redhounds’ 75-72 win over Wayne County Friday and 24 points during their 69-60 win against Knoxville Catholic Saturday.

 

Clay County’s Tyler McDaniel turned in a stellar effort against Lloyd Memorial Saturday. He dished out 21 points to help guide the Tigers to a 63-31 win.

 

South Laurel’s Zac Baxter rebounded with a solid showing during the Cardinals’ 63-56 loss to Tates Creek Saturday at home. The sophomore forward led South Laurel with a 19-point effort.

 

Knox Central’s Matthew Barger looks to have filled the scoring void his brother, Jonathon, left after graduating this past season. He scored 28 points during the Panthers’ 66-55 win over Wolfe County Saturday.

Nice work, Les.

Thank you.

How big is the North Laurel 8th grader? Regardless, that's pretty impressive.

He's 6'2. They've also got a 6'7 8th grader that's pretty good, too.

Broughton's great uncle is Chuck Broughton. He led Laurel County to a state title in 1982.

Thanks. I like hearing about those family connections.

Very good report Les keep up the great work. I'm one 9th Region fan who loves to read about hoops across the state.

Lots of good info Les, that most of us fans outside the region wouldn't know. Very informative.

Les, how is the Sanders kid looking?

Before the season started, I said that if I was forced to pick, Jackson County was the team that I'd take as the favorite to win the 13th All-A. Looks like they've not disappointed so far. With the 49th district tournament being played at Jackson County, people shouldn't sleep on this team. They are definitely capable of knocking off North Laurel or Clay County at home in a one and done.

Awesome work Les!

He's 6'2. They've also got a 6'7 8th grader that's pretty good, too.

 

The other kid is Bryson Asher both impressed at the Junior All-American Camp in Atlanta over the Summer.