1. South Laurel (22-6 overall, 11-2 vs. 13th Region competition) — The Cardinals finish regular season play at the top spot. Now comes the hard part. Can they win their first region title since 2008? Coach Jeff Davis has his team prepared. They played the toughest schedule in the region, and their four of their six losses came against Top 20 ranked teams by a combined point total of only 10 points. South Laurel win enter postseason play winners of six of its last seven games. Senior Caleb Taylor also found out this past week that he was named KABC 13th Region Boys Player of the Year.

 

2. North Laurel (23-4, 11-3) — The Jaguars ended regular season play on a high note with wins over Barbourville, Pulaski County and Knox Central. Their four losses have come from a combined 23 points. But just like with South Laurel, now comes the hard part. Will the Jaguars be able to make noise in March? We shall soon see. Congrats goes out to coach Brad Sizemore, who was named KABC Boys Coach of the year.

 

3. Clay County (21-7, 13-3) — The Tigers are coming on at the right time, going 5-1 in February. Blake Smith recorded a 29-point, 10-rebound effort against Lexington Catholic while record 30 points and four rebounds in Clay County’s win over Cordia. He has turned his game up a notch.

 

4. Harlan County (21-4, 10-1) — The Black Bears are a team to keep an eye on. They have the best record against 13th Region opponents at 10-1, and haven’t lost a game since a 57-55 setback to Corbin on the road on Jan. 11. They will enter postseason play with a seven-game win streak.

 

5. Knox Central (14-10, 8-4) — From Jan. 21 to the present, the Panthers just couldn’t put anything together. Their longest win streak during that stretch was one game, and they posted a 4-6 record during the process. Don’t get me wrong, this team is talented, but just couldn’t get any momentum since winning six games in a row during the midway point of the season.

 

6. (tie) Corbin (18-9, 12-5) — If you want to look at records since the beginning of January, the Redhounds have one of the best in the region at 12-3. But home losses against both Knox Central and Whitley County make me keep them tied at the sixth spot with Whitley County.

 

6. (tie) Whitley County (17-12, 9-8) —The Colonels will enter the 50th District Tournament with a two-game win streak. They will have homeport advantage against Corbin in an elimination game Tuesday. The last time Whitley County played at home against the Redhounds, they lost 63-49. Will it be different this time around?

 

8. Bell County (11-15, 6-8) — The Bobcats have been hard to figure out the entire season. They have solid players in Zach Partin and Victor Morris, but have put together a 4-9 record since the beginning of January.

 

9. Barbourville (13-14, 8-8) — The Tigers are another team hard to figure out. They have the firepower to knock of almost any team in the region, but they have struggled lately, going 7-13 since starting the season with a 6-1 record.

 

10. Pineville (21-8, 15-5) — The Mountain Lions are one of five teams in the 13th Region to have at least 20 wins. With that said, I still have them ranked 10th after losing consecutive games to Corbin and Harlan a few weeks back.

 

11. Oneida Baptist (13-16, 10-13) — The loss of Dejour Fazier hurt the Mountaineers, who snapped a four-game losing skid by defeating Riverside Christian Saturday.

 

12. Lynn Camp (17-9, 10-6) — Coach Dinky Phipps has guided the Wildcats to a successful season, while recording the most wins in a long while. The players look to have bought into Phipps’ style of play, and it shows. Lynn Camp has won five of its last six games.

 

13. Harlan (15-13, 7-10) — The Green Dragons were rolling after picking up consecutive wins over Pineville and Oneida Baptist a few weeks back, but now they’re struggling. The Green Dragons and Oneida Baptist are the only two teams that haven’t played in the 13th Region Tournament since the new realignment back in 2005-06. Will that change this week against Bell County?

 

14. Jackson County (10-17, 4-9) — The Generals picked up wins over Middlesboro and Red Bird this past week before losing to Richmond Model.

 

15. Williamsburg (3-16, 2-14) — The defending 13th Region champions have struggled the entire season. They dropped a 65-27 decision to South Laurel this past week, and play the Cardinals again Monday in semifinal action of the 50th District Tournament.

 

16. Middlesboro (1-28, 1-21) — It’s been a long season for first year coach Isaac Wilson. His Yellow Jackets have now lost 24 games in a row.

 

17. Red Bird (4-23, 0-17) — The Cardinals snapped a 13-game losing skid b defeating the Kentucky School for the Deaf this past week, 83-45.

 

 

 

49th District Tournament Preview

Oneida Baptist will knock off Red Bird setting up a matchup with North Laurel. It might not be too easy, but the Jaguars will advance to play Clay County in the district finals after the Tigers beat Jackson County. Does North finally get over the hump and beat Clay County in the district title game? Look for Clay to win by seven.

 

50th District Tournament Preview

South Laurel returns the favor and eliminates Williamsburg while Corbin scoots past homesteading Whitley County. Look for Corbin to surprise the Cardinals int he district finals by five points.

 

51st District Tournament Preview

Both Knox Central and Barbourville will survive semifinal upset attempts, while the Panthers will capture another district crown by defeating the Tigers by 13.

 

52nd District Tournament Preview

Both Bell County and harlan County will win their respective opening game before seeing the Black Bears pull out a seven point win in the title game over the Bobcats.

 

Top 10 Players

1.Caleb Taylor, South Laurel — The Mr. Basketball dominates on both ends. No one can take over a game like Taylor can.

 

2. Peyton Broughton, North Laurel — Broughton has a chance to lead the Jaguars deep into postseason play.

 

3. Andrew Taylor, Corbin — Taylor is one of the best scorers in the state.

 

4. Blake Smith, Clay County — Smith is beginning to dominate the past few weeks. Look out for the senior forward.

 

5. Trey Farmer, Clay County Farmer is the best shooter in the region.

 

6. Cameron Carmichael, Harlan County — He can take over a game from the outside.

 

7. Jared Grubb, South Laurel — One of the most underrated players in the region.

 

8. Andrew Griffith, South Laurel — Can take over a game at any time.

 

9. Chad Marsee, Knox Central — One of the best big men int he region.

 

10. Brent Perry, Barbourville — Can flat out play. Very good shooter.

Why did Williamsburg play such a short schedule this year? I know they lost a lot, but 19 games isn't much, and they didn't have many cancelled.

Nice job on the write-up.

 

You see these guys much more than I do, but I'd put Blake Smith above both Andrew Taylor and Peyton Broughton.

Taylor with 39 last night as Corbin ended Whitley's season. The kid is some kinda fun to watch.

Andrew Taylor is the real deal.