Fear 'Les' 13th Region Ratings

[Les]

Boys Top 5

 

On the boys’ side, we have South Laurel remaining as the top team, but the Cardinals are struggling. Dinky Phipps’ Barbourville Tigers remain at the No. 2 spot and J.D. Strange’s Pineville Mountain Lions moved up to the No. 5 spot.

 

1. South Laurel (14-3)

What’s the scoop: The Cardinals are struggling. It’s plain and simple. South Laurel lost two games in a row for the first time since consecutive losses to Lexington Catholic and Corbin on Feb. 20 and 24, 2004.

 

Surprise, surprise: There were two surprises during South Laurel’s 58-56 loss to Madison Central on Tuesday.

The first has to be the Cardinals’ dismal four assists total against the Indians.

Walt Allen only got five shot attempts in the game and when that happens, South Laurel is in trouble. The one good thing that sticks out: The Cardinals are 7-0 against 13th Region teams.

 

What’s ahead: There is a chance South Laurel could enter their game with 50th District rival Corbin on Tuesday with a four-game losing skid.

The Cardinals host streaky Lafayette Friday and will travel to Frankfort Saturday to square-off against O.J. Mayo and North College Hill.

 

2. Barbourville (11-2)

What’s the scoop - Everything is looking peachy for Dinky Phipps’ Tigers. Barbourville sits atop the 51st District standings, while riding a six-game win streak in the process.

 

Surprise, surprise: Nothing is surprising me anymore about Barbourville. Phipps has done a fantastic job so far and his players looks like they have gelled at the midway point.

 

What’s ahead: The Tigers are eying an All ‘A’ 13 Region title this week and are odds on favorites to win the thing.

Barbourville travels to OBI Friday before playing Red Bird Saturday at home. The Tigers will open All ‘A’ Regional play at home against Harlan on Tuesday.

 

3. North Laurel (9-7)

What’s the scoop: I’ll tell you this, Jim Conway’s Jaguars keep finding a way to win.

North Laurel managed to get 24 points from Billy Carson and 23 points from Shanade Allen on Tuesday to slip past Middlesboro. The Jaguars will need a similar effort if they hope to beat Clay County on Friday.

 

Surprise, surprise: Hands down, North Laurel has played one of the toughest schedules in the Tri-County, but only three games have been against 13th Region foes.

The Jaguars are a mystery to many of the 13th Region teams until the next couple of weeks when they play teams such as Clay County, Corbin and South Laurel.

 

What’s ahead: North Laurel will get a good taste of 13th Region basketball Friday at Clay County before participating in the Toyota Classic on Thursday against Scott County.

 

4. Clay County (12-3)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers look like they are hitting full stride after winning their sixth game in a row against Cumberland on Tuesday.

 

Surprise, surprise: Clay County’s slim win on the road against Cumberland. isn’t too surprising to me. The Tigers escaped with a 56-53 win, but the Indians are a whole lot better than many people think.

 

What’s ahead: The Tigers host North Laurel on Friday in a boy/girl doubleheader and Leslie County comes to Manchester on Tuesday.

 

5. Pineville (12-3)

What’s the scoop: Only one team has more wins in the region and that’s defending state champion South Laurel.

 

Surprise, surprise: I got to see the Mountain Lions in person on Monday and I’m really impressed with their inside play and their outside shooting. Pineville will put a scare in any team it faces this season.

 

What’s ahead: Pineville will host Model on Friday before participating in the All ‘A’ 13th Region Tournament. The Mountain Lions (who are 7-1 against 13th Region opponents) could be Barbourville’s biggest challenge in the regional tournament.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Cawood (11-5)

What’s the scoop: It looks as if Cawood has righted its ship after losing four games in a row a couple of weeks back.

Cawood has won six games in a row - including 22 district games in a row after the Trojans’ 57-50 win over Harlan on Tuesday. This team can play. Cawood will play Knott Central on Friday.

 

No. 7 Corbin (11-6)

What’s the scoop: The Redhounds’ home loss to Pineville drops Corbin two spots this week. Corbin will host a group of Cardinals during their next two games. Wayne County comes to town Friday and South Laurel will play the Redhounds on Tuesday.

 

No. 8 Bell County (11-5)

What’s the scoop: The Bobcats continue to have an up-and-down season. Bell County will host Harlan on Tuesday.

 

No. 9 Lynn Camp (9-5)

What’s the scoop: The Wildcats lost a tough one to Barbourville last week, but look to get back on track today against Whitley County.

 

No. 10 Harlan (9-6)

What’s the scoop: The Green Dragons miss John Smith - who is out for the rest of the season with an injury. Despite Smith’s absence, Harlan has remained competitive and will be a team to look out for in the All ‘A’ 13th Region Tournament.

 

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

[Les]

^^^

[Mr. No Name]

South Laurel should drop out of the 1 spot in my opinion

[4chs]

South Laurel should drop out of the 1 spot in my opinion

 

Yeah, they are dragging the rest of the region down. :lol:

[MountainThunder]

South Laurel should drop out of the 1 spot in my opinion

 

:laugh: :lol: Good one! :thumb:

[the villager]

5. Pineville (12-3)

What’s the scoop: Only one team has more wins in the region and that’s defending state champion South Laurel.

 

Surprise, surprise: I got to see the Mountain Lions in person on Monday and I’m really impressed with their inside play and their outside shooting. Pineville will put a scare in any team it faces this season.

 

What’s ahead: Pineville will host Model on Friday before participating in the All ‘A’ 13th Region Tournament. The Mountain Lions (who are 7-1 against 13th Region opponents) could be Barbourville’s biggest challenge in the regional tournament.

Good season for the Mountain Lions so far (considering they have already passed up last year's win total). Dustin Day is really turning heads as well as senior guard Blake Hensley and freshman guard James Strange. Lets just hope they're not peaking at the wrong time.

[HDE]

Great job as usual, but I'd flip-flop Cawood and Pineville and Harlan and Lynn Camp.

[Les]

Great job as usual, but I'd flip-flop Cawood and Pineville and Harlan and Lynn Camp.

 

 

Thanks, You're probably right on that.

[ukbellco14]

Great Job Les!

[Les]

Thanks...I get all of my talent from Jim Schue.

[ukbellco14]

Thanks...I get all of my talent from Jim Schue.

 

Great job Jim Schue!

[ZapTwang]

Great job as usual, but I'd flip-flop Cawood and Pineville and Harlan and Lynn Camp.

IMO Pineville should be above Cawood, they are a more solid team, without Smith Harlan and LC could go either way. Overall a fine list of teams :thumb:

[ZapTwang]

South Laurel should drop out of the 1 spot in my opinion

Could this happen if they lose four in a row? Tough game tonight, much more than tough in Frankfort. Corbin at Corbin next may not be a push over either they are playing better. Imo South is heads and tails above all others in this region and should stay that way this year.

[CoachJAZ]

having seen Harlan, Corbin, Bell, Barbourville, S. Laurel, N. Laurel, Cawood, Cumberland, Middlesboro, and Pineville. I would have to go with a list like this.

 

1. S. Laurel, 2. Clay, 3. N. Laurel, 4. Corbin, 5. Barbourville, 6. Cawood,

7. Pineville, 8. Bell, 9. Harlan, 10. Cumberland, 11. Lynn Camp

 

I haven't seen pineville play since this summer, but know they can't be very deep. I do think it's odd for me to have Cawood below two teams they have defeated, but i think they are a bit sporadic. As for the 2-11 teams I think it is very very even and any one could beat the other on any given night.

It's a great list and if South weren't in the region it would probably be the best regional tourny in many a year. I just don't see any one knocking them off in this region

[ukbellco14]

having seen Harlan, Corbin, Bell, Barbourville, S. Laurel, N. Laurel, Cawood, Cumberland, Middlesboro, and Pineville. I would have to go with a list like this.

 

1. S. Laurel, 2. Clay, 3. N. Laurel, 4. Corbin, 5. Barbourville, 6. Cawood,

7. Pineville, 8. Bell, 9. Harlan, 10. Cumberland, 11. Lynn Camp

 

I haven't seen pineville play since this summer, but know they can't be very deep. I do think it's odd for me to have Cawood below two teams they have defeated, but i think they are a bit sporadic. As for the 2-11 teams I think it is very very even and any one could beat the other on any given night.

It's a great list and if South weren't in the region it would probably be the best regional tourny in many a year. I just don't see any one knocking them off in this region

 

If SL can get over this slump they are in right now...... I dont see anyone in this region playing them within 20 points.