Here is the 13th Region preview.

 

2013 13th Region Class "A" Tournament Preview

 

 

The Barbourville Tigers will try to repeat as the 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic champions, but it’s not going to be easy. The Tigers have put together a solid season so far, but teams such as favorite Jackson County, Pineville, Middlesboro, Williamsburg, Harlan and Lynn Camp will have a say in the matter as well.

Pineville (has Brandon Simpson and Byron David Asher returning) entered the season as the hands down favorite, but after struggling so far this season, Jackson County moves to the top of the pack with players such as Jordan Fox and Steve Wagers leading the way, but keep an eye on Middlesboro. Austin Poindexter and Donnie Foister are two solid players that can guide the Yellow Jackets far.

Williamsburg has Skylar Griffith and Corey Shelton leading the way and both are dangerous from three-point range while Lynn Camp has talent in the post and at the guard spot with Zach Smith almost averaging a double-double while Justin Hammonds and Skylar McFarland turning in impressive results shooting the ball. Harlan is led by Isaiah Johnson and will be a threat as well.

 

 

The Pairings

 

January 12th (6:00 pm) Play-in game- Williamsburg at Jackson County (all other games will be played at Red Bird High School).

 

Quarterfinals

January 14th (6:00 pm)- Williamsburg/Jackson County winner vs. Red Bird

January 14th (7:30 pm)- Pineville vs. Harlan

 

January 15th (6:00 pm)- Middlesboro vs. Oneida Baptist

January 15th (7:30 pm)- Barbourville vs. Lynn Camp

 

January 17th (6:00 pm)- Upper-Bracket Semi-Finals

January 17th (7:30 pm)- Lower-Bracket Semi-Finals

 

January 18th (7:00 pm)- Championship Game

 

 

Ranking The Teams

 

1. Jackson County

2. Barbourville

3. Pineville

4. Middlesboro

5. Williamsburg

6. Harlan

7. Lynn Camp

8. Red Bird

9. Oneida Baptist

 

 

Ranking The Players

 

1. Devon Mills (Barbourville) — Top-notch scorer and defender for the Tigers.

2. Jordan Fox (Jackson County) — Been a floor general for the Generals this season.

3. John Simpson (Pineville) — Can take over games in the post.

4. Alexander Phipps (Barbourville) — Best three-point shooter in the region. You can’t give him any room to shoot.

5. Donnie Foister (Middlesboro) — One of the top scorers in the region.

6. Erik Young (Red Bird) — Has already scored at least 40 points three times this season and also recorded a triple-double, too.

7. Isaiah Johnson (Harlan) — Hard worker that can hurt you on offense and defense.

8. Austin Poindexter (Middlesboro) — Another athletic scorer for the Yellow Jackets.

9. Skylar Griffith (Williamsburg) — Great scorer and shooter.

10. Zach Smith (Lynn Camp) — One of the most underrated players in the region.

 

My Predictions

 

January 12th (6:00 pm) Play-in game- Jackson County over Williamsburg

 

Quarterfinals

January 14th (6:00 pm)- Jackson County over Red Bird

January 14th (7:30 pm)- Pineville over Harlan

 

January 15th (6:00 pm)- Middlesboro over Oneida Baptist

January 15th (7:30 pm)- Barbourville over Lynn Camp

January 17th (6:00 pm)- Jackson County over Pineville

January 17th (7:30 pm)- Middlesboro over Barbourville

 

January 18th (7:00 pm)- Jackson County over Middlesboro

40 points three times? And a triple-double? That's pretty impressive.