1. South Laurel (6-1 overall, 3-0 vs. 13th Region competition)

The Cardinals are winners of six straight and picked up two big wins this past week over rivals Corbin and North Laurel, but something still isn’t clicking with coach Jeff Davis’ team.

JJ Ramey and Matthew Cromer have been impressive at time while Brett Norvell and Alex Hostettler has been turning heads at time, too.

South Laurel will be tested the next two weeks by participating in the Simon Kenton Invitational along with their own Legacy Nissan Dribble Drive Tournament.

 

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

The Tigers continue to play as well as anyone in the 13th Region begins the play of Connor Robinson, Evan Langdon and Connor Farmer.

Clay County picked up two impressive wins at home this past week by defeating both Lexington Catholic and Boyle County.

The Tigers will be tested this week during the M&W Shootout, and will be tested again next week during the Cumberland Falls Invitational.

I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Glenn Gray’s team win both tournaments.

 

3. Knox Central (6-1, 2-1)

The Panthers have recovered nicely sent their loss to Clay County.

Knox Central has recorded double-digit wins over Harlan (89-68), Ashland (80-58) and Belfry (86-49) since losing to Clay County in the finals of the WYMT Mountain Classic.

This team is going to get better and better as the season progresses.

 

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

So I’m sure your asking why the Jaguars move up a couple of spots after losing consecutive games to both South Laurel and Paintsville this past week.

Well, I guess it’s because they really should have won both games. The Jaguars led the Cardinals late in the game before losing 65-57, and it took a controversial buzzer-beater for Paintsville to beat North Laurel, 77-76.

Brad Sizemore’s squad is going to get better and better as the season progresses. The ply of eighth grader Reed Sheppard and Landon Jones are two reasons why.

Sheppard is the real deal for North Laurel, and Jones is the most-improved player in the region.

 

5. Harlan County (5-2, 3-0)

The Black Bears are flying under the radar, but could very well be in the mix of things when it comes down to who is flagons win the 13th Region championship.

Harlan County has won three games in a row by recording wins over Bell County, Harlan and Jackson County.

 

6. Corbin (3-1, 2-1)

The Redhounds are coming off of a 72-66 win over Williamsburg after losing at home to South Laurel earlier in the week, 57-50.

Corbin held a 47-44 advantage against the Cardinals with less than three minutes remaining in the game before seeing South Laurel use a 13-3 run to seal the win

Th Redhounds are talented, but it might take a while for Corbin coach Tony Pietrowski to have his team playing the way he wants them to.

 

7. Barbourville (5-2, 4-0)

Cody Messer’s Tigers have been the surprise team in the region so far this season. They’re unbeaten against regional foes at 4-0, and have another big game tonight on the road against Harlan.

 

8. Harlan (4-3, 3-3)

The Green Dragons have been hit and miss so far this season. Harlan is coming off two big regional losses to both Knox Central (89-68) and Harlan County (59-48).

 

9. Middlesboro (4-2, 3-2)

After starting the season 0-2, the Yellow Jackets are winners of four straight, which includes an impressive 59-31 win over Lynn Camp. Keep an eye on this team, Middlesboro is going to be dangerous come postseason time.

 

10. Lynn Camp (6-2, 4-1)

Just when I about write the Wildcats off, they go on the road and pick up a big win against Whitley County.

I’m still trying to figure out just how they lost so bad to Middlesboro earlier in the week. The Yellow Jackets defeated them, 59-31.

 

11. Bell County (2-4, 0-3)

The Bobcats are a dangerous team, and we will see what they can do this week with games against North Laurel and Williamsburg coming up.

 

12. Williamsburg (2-4, 1-4)

The Yellow Jackets played Corbin close before losing 72-66 to the Redhounds. The big question is can they build off the loss?

 

13. Whitley County (5-4, 0-4)

This year’s Colonel team is hard to figure out. They’re the best team Whitley County has had in a few years, but are currently 0-4 against regional foes.

 

14. Red Bird (5-4, 3-3)

The Cardinals continue to improve under coach Davis Collett, but after seeing their loss to Barbourville, they still have some work to do to make a run at the 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic title.

 

15. OBI (2-5, 2-3)

The Mountaineers are playing teams hard, but just can’t get a win. Their lone regional wins this season came against Jackson County and Pineville.

 

16. Jackson County (2-7, 0-4)

The Generals are improving, but still only has two wins on the season. Jackson County played with Corbin for a while at home before falling, 73-55. The Generals also played a tight game with Harlan County before dropping a 65-58 decision.

 

17. Pineville (3-5, 0-5)

The Mountain Lions are playing better under interim coach James David Strange, but they’re currently 0-5 against regional teams — that needs to change.

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