Another week down, and this is what we know – the Clay County Tigers remain the team to beat, but to be honest, I’m thinking this region is up for grabs. North Laurel was a missed wide-open lay-up away from defeating the two-time defending 13th Region champions on their home court.The Jaguars showed they have enough arsenal to win the region, and will be a team to reckon with throughout the season. Their size, and outside shooting really bothered the Tigers. I also saw three areas of concern for Robert Marcum’s squad – they have to get better on defense if they want to three-peat as regional champs, and if star Blake Smith gets in foul trouble, they are in trouble. And the third thing, Clay County must develop a bench. They are really short on depth at the present time.The scary thing about North Laurel is the Jaguars are going to get better. There is a reason the University of Tennessee has started recruiting sophomore Peyton Broughton, it’s because he is that good. Broughton is being looked at by numerous Division I programs, and deservedly so. Clay County’s Smith did a great job at times on defense against Broughton in the second half, but that allowed mother players from North Laurel to step up.

Taking a look at other teams in the region – Knox Central picked up a huge win over Harlan County, but could be without the services of center Chad Marsee for a few weeks after he suffered an ankle injury against Boyle County. The South Laurel Cardinals are off to a 5-0 start for the first time since they won the state championship during the 2004-05 season. Junior center Caleb Taylor is a big reason why the Cardinals are unbeaten. The big man is averaging more than 25 points a game, 12 rebounds a game and four blocks a game so far this season. Another team to keep an eye on is Williamsburg. I’ve got a feeling the Yellow Jackets will be very good this season. Skyler and Andrew Griffith are a deadly one-two combination and don’t forget about Corey Shelton, who is averaging 24 points per game. The addition of Fred Massey ahs made Williamsburg even better.

With that said, let’s take a look at this week’s top 10

 

1. Clay County (5-0 overall, 4-0 vs. 13th Region opponents) – The Tigers are riding high at 5-0, and a big reason is because of the play of Blake Smith, who is leading the team with a 23-point, six rebound average. Wes Wolfe came up big against North Laurel, scoring 15 points while pulling down 11 boards in the one-point win. If the Tigers want to continue to remain at the No. 1 spot, they must improve defensively. Their press was ineffective against the Jaguars, and North Laurel’s size seemed to bother them at times, too. Clay County also needs to continue to develop its bench as the season progresses.

 

2. North Laurel (2-2, 0-1) – The Jaguars were two close-range shots away from defeating Clay County at home. They showed they can play with the two-time defending 13th Region champions, and they also showed their size is a strength. Three players really stood out in the 65-64 loss – Eighth grader Adam Sizemore stepped up at the point guard position, and was really never affected by the Clay County pressure while junior Kyle Jeffers was money from three-point range. And of course, Broughton stepped up in the second half, and hit some crucial shots.

The bad news for the 13th Region? This team is only going to get better as the season progresses.

 

3. Knox Central (2-2, 1-0) – This team is hard to gauge, especially with Chad Marsee being out right now due to an ankle injury. The Panthers handed Harlan County a 19-point loss, and when healthy, could be one of the best teams in the region.

 

4. Corbin (4-1, 2-1) – The Redhounds have a big game Tuesday against 50th District foe South Laurel. One of the big questions entering the game will be if Corbin ahs an answer for South Laurel big man Caleb Taylor. Freshman Andrew Taylor will be key in this game along with Conner Hopkins.

 

5. Williamsburg (1-0, 1-0) – The Yellow Jackets cruised in their only game this season, as senior guard Skyler Griffith currently ranks second in the region with a 27-point scoring average. Teammate Corey Shelton isn’t too far behind, averaging 24 points per game.

 

6. South Laurel (5-0, 1-0) – The Cardinals will move up in the rankings if they can beat Corbin Tuesday. Big man Caleb Taylor has easily been the best big man in the region so far this season. The big man is averaging more than 25 points a game, 12 rebounds a game and four blocks a game. South Laurel isn’t a one-man show, though. Guard Jared Grubb has been torching the nets along with forward Zach Allen, who poured in a 28-point scoring effort in a big win over West Jessamine.

 

7. Harlan County (4-1, 1-1) – The Black Bears have a nice record, but were ran out of town this past week when they traveled to play Knox Central. The Panthers led by as many as 29 points before winning, 81-62.

 

8. Jackson County (4-1, 0-1) – The Generals continue to be a pleasant surprise, as Jacob Hammonds leads the way with 24 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Teammate Zach Lawson is averaging 14.5 points and 6.3 boards per game.

9. Whitley County (2-2, 2-1) - The Colonels have been a hard team to gauge this season. They did pick up a nice win over Barbourville.

 

10. Barbourville (3-2, 2-1) – The Tigers had a setback loss against Whitley County and is led by Brently Perry’s 18 points per game and Wade Liford’s 14.4 scoring average. Liford is also averaging 7.8 rebounds per game.

 

Big Games this week

Tuesday, Dec. 16

South Laurel at Corbin

Clay County at Harlan County

Jackson County at Knox Central

 

Thursday, Dec. 18

Williamsburg at Barbourville

 

Player of the week

Peyton Broughton, North Laurel and Caleb Taylor, South Laurel – Yep, this week I’m giving it to two players. Broughton leads the region with a 30-point scoring average, and his 47-point effort against Madison Southern was a big reason the Jaguars edged out the Eagles. Taylor has been dominant the entire season. He’s averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds a game this past week.

I disagree with 2 things, North is currently 3-3 not 2-2. And they haven't beaten a quality team yet. Yes they played clay tough but that's a rivalry game. Also Broughton is talented and good don't get me wrong but he never scored a single bucket on Smith and if Smith guarded him the whole game I don't think he gets much at all. Smith has won every head to head matchup they have had and his defense is 10 to 1 better. Don't drink the kool-aid cause anybody can drop 30 against bad teams when you have the green light anytime. Next thing is there is no way this team is 2nd right now. I would rank corbin and south ahead of them. Both have a quality win and winning records. Rankings should be on performance not potential.

My friend, I've covered this sport for years. Don't tell me to not Don't drink the Kool-Aid. It's obvious you have a vested interest in Smith. And he's a good player but to knock Broughton is a joke considering he's getting D1 looks from a bunch of schools and hes a sophomore. You don't think Smith takes his fair share of shots then you need to take off your rose-colored glasses. My rankings are based on how I want them to be. You don't like them, then I suggest you starting a thread and doing your own. So if North, a team that missed TWO wide open shots to beat Clay on its home court isn't No. 2 then maybe South should be No. 1 ahead of Clay, no?

Smith is a good high school player. Broughton has by far the most college potential.

This has nothing to do with smith. If you watched the game he didn't score on smith. And I didn't say he wasn't good or talented I said he's not an all around player. And I said they don't have a quality win. Truth is the truth. Broughton is a good offensive player to be a 17 year old sophomore. But in order to play at the next level you must play defense and if a 6'3" nice high school player can shut you down them you have problems. And that team has twice the potential of clay but potential isn't performance. And they haven't figured it out yet. South very well could be better than clay and Clay will lose should lose some games this week due to the injuries. Your assessment of them was dead on. No depth and lack defense. But North is no way the 2nd best team in this region right now. Maybe when they get Collier.

Getting D1 looks mean nothing, his teammate proves that theory. He gets them too and he can't play marbles. However Broughton does deserve his looks he is good.

I think you do an outstanding job Les, even said so last week. My opinion and yours differ on North. Seriously they haven't beat anyone. And yes I know what it takes to play at the next level and Imo Broughton and Smith are not high level D1 players. Mid majors at best for both of them.

So I did a little research on who how many shots per game Broughton is averaging so far and it's 18 while Smith is averaging 15 shots per game. So that's pretty close right now on both basically getting the Green Light. And getting D1 looks means a lot and I'm pretty sure I know one D1 school that is going to offer pretty soon, but to take a shot at a high school kid and saying he can't play marbles is pretty low. And if North isn't the No. 2 ranked team right now, what does it say for a Clay County team that was a missed wide open layup away from losing at home? I guess they shouldn't really be ranked No. 1. And you keep bringing up injuries for Clay. North was without Rice for a couple of their losses and Henson, but I've never heard them bring them up? And to say North played Clay tough because it was a rivalry gme is a cop out. UNC and UK is rivalry game and the Cats killed them. North and Clay was a rivalry game last year and Clay beat them bad. It's different this year. Both teams are basically even Stephen.

I respect your opinion though Truth99. You know your stuff, but North is better than you think. Clay is very good and could very well win the region, but they need to develop a bench and have to get better on defense to do so and if Smith gets in foul trouble they are in trouble.

If there's a D1 school that offers the player I'm talking about they are crazy. And I'm not taking a shot at him that's the reason I didn't say his name. I would never take a shot at a kid . I only offer my opinion and and breakdown of teams and players. I believe Broughton deserves every offer he has recieved. As do I for Smith and every other player that gets them. This is no shot against him. Stats don't lie and what stats you provided can't be argued as well as my stats head to head. I really believe they are the two top prospects in the 13th. Two great players with 2 totally different styles. Look forward to the next 3 battles.