I wouldn't rank Pineville ahead of Bell either, but I'll try to avoid a debate with The Villager because he proved me wrong on the Middlesboro comparison earlier.

 

No matter who they replaced them with, Bell still lost three of its top six from a year ago. Helton's attitude seemed a lot better last year and he carried them several games with his scoring ability.

 

On a good day, you could make a case for Bell as the second best team in the region.

Correction the boys on the court proved you wrong, not me. As for the bolded part, you could make that case with about 5 other teams too.

I wouldn't rank Pineville ahead of Bell either, but I'll try to avoid a debate with The Villager because he proved me wrong on the Middlesboro comparison earlier.

 

No matter who they replaced them with, Bell still lost three of its top six from a year ago. Helton's attitude seemed a lot better last year and he carried them several games with his scoring ability.

 

On a good day, you could make a case for Bell as the second best team in the region.

 

WOW. I am as big a Bell fan as any, but even I wouldnt try to touch that. I think they deserve mentioning as being a top 5 team, but I wouldnt go so far as saying they are a possible top 2. I would rank Bell no higher then 4 or 5.

You could rank them four or five, but there isn't a big difference in whoever you rank second.

You could rank them four or five, but there isn't a big difference in whoever you rank second.

 

That is true. 2-8 there is alot of parity. I still see Barbourville and Clay as the clear #2 and #3.

My GUESS as of now would be something like this:

 

1. South Laurel (obviously)

2. Clay Co. (Strong inside game, strong on the boards with backcourt a ?)

3. Barbourville (Sr. dominated team, but can they win the big game?)

4. Bell Co. (If Whitaker is healthy)

5. North Laurel (inconsistent)

6. Cawood (have been steady)

7. Corbin (inconsistent)

8. Pineville (solid team, but still pretty young)

9. Harlan (could have been #2 with Smith healthy)

10. Jackson Co. (who else?)

My GUESS as of now would be something like this:

 

1. South Laurel (obviously)

2. Clay Co. (Strong inside game, strong on the boards with backcourt a ?)

3. Barbourville (Sr. dominated team, but can they win the big game?)

4. Bell Co. (If Whitaker is healthy)

5. North Laurel (inconsistent)

6. Cawood (have been steady)

7. Corbin (inconsistent)

8. Pineville (solid team, but still pretty young)

9. Harlan (could have been #2 with Smith healthy)

10. Jackson Co. (who else?)

 

The good new for Bell is that Whitaker is back and healthy. The bad news for Bell is that they lost Trey Goins to a broken wrist against Knox Central last Friday night. Goins has really stepped it up for Bell and his presence will be sorely missed.

The good new for Bell is that Whitaker is back and healthy. The bad news for Bell is that they lost Trey Goins to a broken wrist against Knox Central last Friday night. Goins has really stepped it up for Bell and his presence will be sorely missed.

 

That will hurt Bell on the inside, where they were already thin.

Is he a senior?

Actually if ya wanna take it a step further, 2-10 in your polls could beat each other on a given night. Pineville and Cawood beat Corbin, Corbin beat bell, Bville barely beat Pineville, Clay beat Pineville, Corbin beat North, Jackson beat Corbin, Lynn Camp beat Jackson and so on. This region this year is crazier than a run over dog. That is the only reason I can see South getting upset. They are clearly the best team far and away but with these teams, anything and I MEAN ANYTHING can happen. It's Wild!

I can't see anyone in the 13th beating South, not even on a good day. Its just not going to happen.

That will hurt Bell on the inside, where they were already thin.

Is he a senior?

 

I believe he is a junior, but I could be mistaken.

 

Bell still came away with a convincing win over Knox Central, despite Goins missing much of the second half. However, Goins played very well and the game was pretty much wrapped up by the time he got hurt. Against the tougher teams in the region he will be sorely missed.

Goins is a junior.

 

I don't have a problem with Clay and Barbourville as two and three, but Bell beat Clay recently and Cawood played Barbourville within two on Friday. I don't think anyone, right now, is a clear anything except South Laurel at 1 and Williamsburg at 19.

LES -- I'm still waiting for that signed copy in the mail!