13th Region Boys Rankings Jan. 3 - Jan. 10, 2016

1. South Laurel (10-2 overall, 4-0 against 13th Region teams) — The Cardinals are riding an impressive nine-game win streak with their only losses coming against unbeaten Mercer County (South lost 52-51) and twice-beaten Owen County (South lost in double overtime, 76-74). The Cardinals are led by the duo of Caleb Taylor (17.3 points per game) and Jared Grubb (17.1). They posted a 3-0 record in the Mountain School Boy Classic, a 2-0 mark in the Kentucky Bank Challenge and defeated Knox Central Saturday, 77-40.

2. Clay County (11-2, 6-0) —After starting the season 8-0, the Tigers are 3-2 during their past five games with losses to Cheyenne, Nevada and a one-point setback at home to Boyle County. Clay County did manage to post a 3-0 record in the Cumberland falls Invitational and captured the championship by defeating Corbin, 55-50. They are led in scoring by senior Blake Smith’s 20.5 scoring average while Trey Farmer is averaging 20.4 points per game.

3. Harlan County (12-2, 5-0) — The Black Bears continue to remain under the radar while posting an impressive 12-2 record behind the solid play of Cameron Carmichael and Treyce Spurlock. Carmichael is averaging 17.6 points per game while Spurlock is averaging 16.2. Harlan County went 2-1 in the Seahawks Holiday Classic and 2-1 in the Red River Classic. The Black Bears defeated Bell County on the road Saturday, 54-47.

4. North Laurel (11-2, 2-1) — The Jaguars surpassed their win total of last season (10) on Saturday by defeating Jackson County, 62-50. The Jaguars are led by Division I recruit Peyton Broughton’s 20.9 scoring average. North Laurel posted a 2-0 record in the Kentucky Bank Challenge and a 3-0 mark in the Mountain Schoolboy Classic.

5. Whitley County (8-6, 3-4) —The Colonels are a hard team to figure out, but I’m moving them up a spot after their performance the past two weeks. Whitley County snapped a three-game losing skid and is now 4-1 during its last five games. The Colonels went 2-1 in the Cumberland Falls Invitational with their only loss coming to Clay County, 53-41. They did manage to get a big 52-48 win over Barbourville Saturday. Corey Johnson leads Whitley County with a 15.3 scoring average.

6. Corbin (6-6, 0-3) —The Redhounds move up a couple of spots after going 2-1 in the Cumberland Falls Invitational. Corbin only managed to score 18 points during the first three quarters of the title game against Clay County before rallying late and falling, 55-50. Andrew Taylor leads Corbin with a 19.5 scoring average.

7. Barbourville (8-6, 4-2) —The Tigers started the season with four wins, but are 4-6 during their last 10 games, which includes 1-2 efforts in the Arby’s Classic and the Cumberland Falls Invitational. They dropped a 52-48 decision to Whitley County on the road Saturday. Barbouville is led in scoring by the region’s leading scorer Brent Perry (24.3) while Markelle Turner follows with a 20.1 scoring average.

8. Knox Central (4-4, 1-2) — The Panthers had a nine-day layoff, and it showed during their 77-40 loss to South Laurel Saturday. Wade Liford leads Knox Central with a 19.2 scoring average while Chad Marsee is averaging 17.0 points per game.

9. Bell County (7-7, 2-2) —The Bobcats turned in a 1-2 effort in the Heritage Lids Classic while going 2-2 in the Lake Cumberland Holiday Hoops Classic. They dropped a 54-47 decision at home to Harlan County Saturday. The are led in scoring by Zach Partin, who is averaging 16 points per game.

10. Lynn Camp (10-2, 5-1) —The Wildcats are riding high with a 10-2 record on the season. They posted a 2-1 record in the Pineville Mountain Classic. Austyn Weddle leads his team with a 13-point scoring average. A couple of players to keep an eye on are Bruce Hopkins and Antonio Tepesano.

11. Oneida Baptist (5-3, 3-3) —Dejour Frazier leads the way with his 23-point scoring average, as the Mountaineers have won four games in a row.

12. Pineville (10-2, 5-0) —The Mountain Lions are only one of four teams that are unbeaten against 13th Region foes. They are led by Frederick Carnes (19.5) and Trent Lefevers (17.1).

13. Jackson County (5-6, 0-3) —The Generals held their own Saturday against North Laurel before losing, 62-50. Tanner Harris leads Jackson County with a 16.7 scoring average.

14. Harlan (9-6, 2-4) —The Green Dragons are another team to keep an eye on. They look like they might be peaking at the right time. Killian Ledford leads the way with 14.7 points per game.

15. Williamsburg (1-6, 1-5) — The Yellow Jackets’ struggles continue. They are led by Tanner Boggs’ 16.7 scoring average.

16. Middlesboro (1-14, 1-9) —I really like the way first-year coach Isaac Wilson is coaching this team. Wilson is a winner, and he will build the Yellow Jackets into a contender in the near future. Drake Thomas leads Middlesboro with a 10.1 scoring average.

17. Red Bird (1-7, 0-5) —The Cardinals haven’t played in over two weeks, but they did pick up their first win of the season on Dec. 17, 2015 against Riverside Christian, 45-24. Jonathon Kabonga leads the Cardinals with an 11.6 scoring average.