1. Harlan County (8-0 overall, 4-0 vs. 13th Region competition)

The Black Bears remained unbeaten after defeating Barbourville (78-43), Lee, Va. (54-42) and Harlan (77-43). Their 8-0 start is ranks second best in school history, ranking behind their 11-0 start to begin the 2012-13 campaign. Just how good is Harlan County? The Black Bears now have four players averaging double figures in points scored — Cameron Carmical (18.9), Treyce Spurlock (15.3), Tyrese Simmons (12.4) and Anthony Nolan (10.8).

 

2. Corbin (4-0, 1-0)

The Redhounds only played one game this past week, but it was a big one. Corbin knocked off defending 13th Region champion South Laurel at the Cardinals’ Nest, 61-52. Junior Andrew Taylor led the way with a 32-point scoring effort while Connor Hopkins added 10 points. Taylor continues to light it up on the court, averaging 30 points per game while Chase Anders (9.0) and Hopkins (8.3) follows.

 

3. South Laurel (6-2, 3-1)

The Cardinals took one on the chin at home, losing a 50th District battle to Corbin, 61-52, but they responded three days later with a big 81-68 victory over crosstown rival North Laurel. Jared Grubb scored 22 points in the loss against the Redhounds while Ryan Anders and JJ Ramey were limited to eight points apiece. Things were different against the Jaguars with Grubb exploding for a 31-point scoring effort while Ramey added 28. Grubb leads South Laurel with a 21.5 scoring average while Ramey is averaging 15.9 points per game and Anders follows with a 10.4 scoring average.

 

4. Knox Central (4-2, 1-0)

The Panthers continue to remain quiet along the 13th Region landscape, but boy, are they dangerous. Knox Central handed Buckhorn an 81-65 loss this past week, while falling to Florida’s Masters Academy, 74-69. Wade Liford leads the Panthers with 18.7 points per game while Markelle Turner is averaging 17.3 points per contest.

 

5. North Laurel (6-1, 2-1)

The Jaguars rolled past both Red Bird (90-41) and Whitley County (80-59) this past week, but suffered a setback when they lost on the road to crosstown foe South Laurel, 81-68 despite seeing Peyton Broughton score 33 points and pull down 10 rebounds. Broughton leads the region with his 33 point scoring average and he’s also averaging 12 rebounds per game. Brian Gray is scoring 11.7 points per game and Bryson Asher follows with an 11.5 scoring effort.

 

6. Pineville (6-1, 3-0)

The Mountain Lions are staying relatively quiet as well. Pineville looks to have overcome the injury bug, but saw their six-game win streak come to an end after losing to Tri-Cities, Tenn., 61-55 in the J. Frank White Classic. Trent Lefevers is averaging 22.3 points per game while Josh Lawson is dishing out a 13.1 scoring effort and Frederick Carnes follows with 12.7 points per game.

 

7. Whitley County (3-3, 0-2)

The Colonels might be struggling currently, but this is a team that is going to be dangerous by postseason play. They turned in a 1-2 record over the week losing to both North Laurel (80-59) and Mercer County (80-61). Whitley County did manage to knock off Garrard County, 58-42. Bailey Rice turned in an impressive 28-point scoring effort against Mercer County.

 

8. Barbourville (4-4, 3-2)

The Tigers picked up a huge win over Clay County, winning, 57-47. The 10-point victory was Barbourville’s first over Clay County since 2006. The big question will be if the win will get coach Derek Collins’ team over the hump.

 

9. Clay County (5-2, 3-1)

Did I drop the Tigers too low? That I’m not sure of, but the version of Clay County I saw go against Barbourville will have to improve a whole lot if the Tigers want to make a run at being one of the 13th Region’s elite teams.

 

10. Lynn Camp (8-0, 3-0)

Is this ranking too low for the Wildcats? Maybe so. I’ll be able to gauge the Wildcats even more the next two weeks. If Tanner Boggs is cleared to play, Lynn Camp could turn out to be an even bigger threat in the 51st District.

Like the ranking, except I'd take Corbin and South 2a and 2b in any order. Corbin knocked off South, at South, game was closer than ending score indicated. South has multiple kids that can score in double digits, seems to have good defense. Corbin, has a very good defensive team, but lack of multiple double digits scoring players which could hurt them at tournament time, I Like both teams. And a solid don't sleep on Knox Central, team to giving Harlan County, a run for 13th Regional Title.

Well Corbin won AT South, basically gives them the two-spot. I don't do 2A or 2B Rankings.