Boys Top 5

 

On the boys’ side, Steve Wright’s South Laurel Cardinals remain the region’s No. 1 team after posting an impressive 2-1 record during the past week. Dinky Phipps Barbourville Tigers are the No. 2 team and look out, here comes Clay County at the No. 3 spot.

On the girls’ side, Donnie Gray’s Lady Tigers remain the region’s No. 1 team with Corbin not far behind.

Despite losing a key district game to Corbin last week, South Laurel remains in the Top Five with an 11-5 record.

 

1. South Laurel (16-4)

What’s the scoop: The Cardinals knocked off a solid Lafayette team last week, while giving O.J. Mayo and the nation’s No. 2 rated team all they wanted this past week.

Let’s not forget that South Laurel beat Corbin on the road by 17 points to wrap up the No. 1 seed in the 50th District Tournament. Not a bad week for Steve Wright’s bunch.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Cardinals’ near upset of North College Hill was a shocker to many, especially myself. I figured the Trojans would hand the Cardinals a 40-point loss or even more. But South Laurel hung tough and had North College Hill sweating. The Cardinals are now 7-0 against 13th Region opponents. The only other team that hasn’t lost to a 13th Region foe is Clay County, who’s record is 6-0.

 

What’s ahead: Things doesn’t get any easier for the Cardinals. South Laurel will play Mason County Friday - a team the Cardinals beat 68-63 earlier in the season.

South Laurel will host rival North Laurel on Feb. 3.

 

2. Barbourville (14-2)

What’s the scoop - Barbourville has won nine games in a row, while posting an impressive 12-1 record against 13th Region opponents. Not bad, not bad at all.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Tigers held their own against the Harlan Green Dragons on Tuesday and won easily, 71-49. Don’t be surprised if Barbourville captures the All ‘A’ 13th Classic Region title on Friday.

 

What’s ahead: The Tigers will play Middlesboro (6-12) in the semi-finals of the All ‘A’ 13th Region Tournament today and a win will advance Barbourville to the finals on Friday.

The Tigers beat the Yellow Jackets earlier in the season, 99-71.

 

3. Clay County (14-3)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers got off to a slow start (6-3), but are winners of eight straight and has to be considered one of the hottest teams in the 13th Region.

 

Surprise, surprise: Clay County improved to 6-0 against 13th Region teams after beating North Laurel last week, 66-63.

The Tigers followed the win over the Jaguars with another impressive win a couple of days later against Leslie County. Clay County knocked off the WYMT Mountain Classic champions, 60-52.

 

What’s ahead: The Tigers will host Knox Central on Friday before Pulaski County comes to town on Tuesday.

For you that don’t know, long-time Maroon coach Dave Fraley stepped down earlier in the week.

 

4. Pineville (14-3)

What’s the scoop: The Mountain Lions are a dangerous team. Don’t be surprised to see Pineville playing Barbourville in the All ‘A’ Classic finals on Friday.

The Mountain Lions have won four games in a row and eight of their last nine games.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Mountain Lions have the best points against average (50.3) in the 13th Region. Blake Hensley leads Pineville with a 16.3 points per game scoring average, while teammate Blake Hensley follows with a 14.6 scoring average.

 

What’s ahead: The Mountain Lions play Jackson County today in the semi-finals of the All ‘A’ Classic 13th Region Tournament.

 

5. North Laurel (9-8)

What’s the scoop: The Jaguars are clinging to this spot. The only reason I don’t have streaking Cawood here is because of North Laurel’s 73-58 win over the Trojans earlier in the season.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Jaguars are 3-5 in their last eight games, but showed some spark by coming back from a double-digit deficit before losing to Clay County on the road.

 

What’s ahead: The Jags play top-ranked Scott County today.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Cawood (13-5)

What’s the scoop: The Trojans just keep winning.

Cawood’s win streak has reached eight games. The Trojans will play Bell County on Friday.

 

No. 7 Corbin (12-7)

What’s the scoop: The Redhounds are 2-2 in their last four games after losing to South Laurel at home on Tuesday. Corbin will be in action on Tuesday at North Laurel.

 

No. 8 Bell County (12-6)

What’s the scoop: The Bobcats had their three-game win streak snapped on Tuesday. Bell County will play Cawood on Friday.

 

No. 9 Jackson County (11-8)

What’s the scoop: The Generals make their first appearance in the Top 10 after beating Lynn Camp on Tuesday.

The Wildcats won the first two meetings between the two teams. Jackson County will play Pineville today in the semi-finals of the All ‘A’ Classic 13th Region Tournament.

 

No. 10 Lynn Camp (10-6)

What’s the scoop: The Wildcats haven’t won consecutive games dating back to Dec. 27. That should be a concern for coach Anthony Pennington. Lynn Camp will travel to Wayne County on Tuesday. Lynn Camp needs some confidence heading into February and a win over the Cardinals would be a start.

:thumb:

 

Great job ....... I would have to agree with your rankings as well, although Clay and Barbourville are a knot for #2 IMO.

Bump

^^^

:thumb:

 

Great job ....... I would have to agree with your rankings as well, although Clay and Barbourville are a knot for #2 IMO.

 

I'm agreeing with you again?? But I'm not ready to move Pineville ahead of North Laurel just yet.

Give me some skin...skinpig....Thanks. I really think North's schedule is catching up with them.

Good rankings. I agree that Clay and B-ville are knotted up at #2.

Thank you sir.

^^^

Good list Les. :thumb:

Thank you.

good rankings.....poor NL whoever made thier schedule just put it on them hard...NL truly is a good team...Allen is a great athlete...but if you look at their record you would think they werent a good team but they are...I think Clay and Bville are neck and neck....I havent seen Pineville play.. have they improved that much?

good rankings.....poor NL whoever made thier schedule just put it on them hard...NL truly is a good team...Allen is a great athlete...but if you look at their record you would think they werent a good team but they are...I think Clay and Bville are neck and neck....I havent seen Pineville play.. have they improved that much?

I agree who ever made this schedule for North must have known they would not be around to take part in it, very difficult to say the least. Yes Pineville has improved alot from years past.

I'm agreeing with you again?? But I'm not ready to move Pineville ahead of North Laurel just yet.

 

I can totally see that....... and Id probably agree...... I guess NL just looks a little down right now because of the strength of their schedule.

Pineville has improved light years, in just this season, from what they were in years past. From traditional doormat of the 13th region to top 5 regional contenter. Big big big improvement.