Fear 'les' 13th Regional Ratings

[Les]

1. South Laurel (3-0)

What’s the scoop: The Cardinals are 3-0, but had a subpar game against Knox Central and everyone is ready for their demise.

Until someone beats South Laurel, the Cardinals are the team to beat in the 13th Region.

It’s plain and simple folks.

I read somewhere the Cardinals aren’t doing so well on offense, despite the fact South Laurel is averaging 89 points a game so far this season.

Oh well.

 

Surprise, surprise: How about the performance of senior guard Ty Proffitt? His 30-point outburst against Whitley County was a big reason why South Laurel won, 105-55.

 

What’s ahead: South Laurel has a big match-up with rival North Laurel Friday and will get a HUGE test Saturday against George Rogers Clark in the Bourbon County Hoop-O-Rama. South Laurel will be back in action at home Tuesday against Russell County.

 

2. Corbin (3-0)

What’s the scoop: I’m leaving the Redhounds at the No. 2 spot even though I really believe Bell County might have the edge right now.

The Redhounds are solid and I expect them to make a run for the region crown this season, but sophomore Josh Crawford needs to be at 100 percent for Corbin to do so.

 

Surprise, surprise: He’s only a freshman, but Madison Johnson has stepped up his play big time during the first three games of the season. He’s averaging 18 points a contest and scored a career-high 24 points during the Redhounds’ 68-65 win over Cawood Tuesday.

 

What’s ahead: I guess I’ll get to see who the No. 2 team is today when Corbin travels to play No. 3 Bell County. The Redhounds will have another tough contest Saturday at home against Knoxville Catholic.

 

3. Bell County (1-0)

What’s the scoop: Bell County hasn't played a game since its season-opening win against Lynn Camp on Nov. 28. That means the Bobcats had a nine-day lay off before their game against Corbin today.

 

Surprise, surprise: I’m writing this again: I was really surprised that Bell County only led Lynn Camp by 11 points at home entering the fourth quarter. No knock on the Wildcats, but many believed the Bobcats would roll to an easy win.

Bell County managed to force 30 turnovers and got a 26-point scoring effort from Ryan Whitaker and 15 points from Brent Slusher.

 

What’s ahead: The Bobcats play Corbin Thursday in a 13th Region showdown and will be back in action again Tuesday against Evarts.

 

4. Cumberland (2-0)

What’s the scoop: The Redskins move up two spots after improving to 2-0 with a 55-42 win over Claiborne High School.

 

Surprise, surprise: I’m still not sold on the Redskins. I believe they’re still a bit overrated, but after Jackson County struggled again and Pineville having some mini-struggles, somebody has to be rated No. 4.

 

What’s ahead: Cumberland plays Letcher County Central Friday before hitting the road to play Harlan Tuesday. That’s when we’ll see just how good the Redskins are.

 

5. Jackson County (2-2)

What’s the scoop: The Generals need to get things going in the worst way. Jackson County has too much talent to be sitting at 2-2 on the season.

 

Surprise, surprise: I’m surprised the Generals aren’t blowing away some of their opponents. Jackson County is solid, but seems to be going through the motions early in the season.

 

What’s ahead: Jackson County has a home game against Lynn Camp today that could turn out to be a very interesting match-up. The Generals will host Knoxville Catholic Friday before traveling to play North Laurel Tuesday.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Clay County (1-0)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers will be as good as Zach Lewis and Justin Hobbs make them. Lewis scored 15 points and Hobbs added 17 during the Tigers’ 63-61 win over Harlan Tuesday.

 

No. 7 Lynn Camp (2-1)

What’s the scoop: I might have the Wildcats a little too high, but I’m liking what I’m seeing out of Anthony Pennington’s young squad.

Craig Bargo has been a great addition and Jonah Mitchell is solid at the point guard position.

 

No. 8 Pineville (2-0)

What’s the scoop: The Mountain Lions could and maybe should be rated higher, BUT they haven't looked good in either of their wins so far this season.

Pineville has a lot of talent, but the players need to realize that and pick up their play before district games begin.

 

No. 9 Harlan (1-1)

What’s the scoop: Harlan is kind of in the same situation as Clay County. The Green Dragons are going to go as far as guard John Smith can take them.

He scored 33 on 9-of-23 shooting during Harlan’s loss to Clay County, BUT he was 12-of-13 from the free throw line.

 

No. 10 Barbourville (2-2)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers are young and I know they’re going to be up and down this season, but they’ve played solid so far. I’m still kind of confused how they can beat Cawood by 17 points, but lose to Middlesboro by 12 at home. But then again, they are young and inexperienced.

[4chs]

I hope you are right and I'm wrong, but at this point of the season I just can't see Corbin this high. I think that Jackson Co., Pineville & Cumberland would all cause the Hounds some serious problems on the inside.

[Les]

Corbin may be a bit too high, but I honestly believe they're better than Jackson and Pineville right now.

[HDE]

I agree with parts of what you both are saying. I'd put Bell second, Cumberland third and Corbin fourth. I'm waiting to see Pineville on Friday at Cawood.

[Les]

I agree, Bell could easily be second and Cumberland third and Corbin fourth. I really was gauging Cumberland on one game against B'ville and I haven't seen them play yet.

The bottom five are toss-ups.

[4chs]

I agree, Bell could easily be second and Cumberland third and Corbin fourth. I really was gauging Cumberland on one game against B'ville and I haven't seen them play yet.

The bottom five are toss-ups.

 

I think that South is a strong #1 and that Bell is a strong #2, after that the next 8 or 10 are toss-ups, which should make for a very interesting basketball season.

[Les]

I agree with ya. A lot of people are wanting to give Bell the No. 1 spot just to see South fall, but you have to go with South until someone beats them and if anyone knows Steve Wright's squad doesn't hit stride until after January.

Bell's size will give the Cards fits though.

[the villager]

Good list.

[Les]

looks like bell will be the new No. 2 and Knox Central will be movin on up.

[HDE]

I just noticed Lynn Camp at No. 7. I don't understand that one.

[Les]

I goofed. I meant to put Knox Central in that spot. I had three or four phone calls and for some reason put LC there. Not knocking LC, but I really meant Knox...have t change that next week. By the way, their game with Jackson was canceleld tonight.

[Jim Schue]

I goofed. I meant to put Knox Central in that spot. I had three or four phone calls and for some reason put LC there. Not knocking LC, but I really meant Knox...have t change that next week. By the way, their game with Jackson was canceleld tonight.

 

That's why you need talented people proofing your stuff …

[gold sunrise]

That's why you need talented people proofing your stuff …

:laugh:

Les, enjoy reading your take of the region. :thumb:

[Les]

Talented people or not wouldn't have known Knox would have been at the seven spot. Only I knew that and I goofed.

[rudedogky]

1)South

2)Bell

3)Cumberland

4)Corbin

5)Pineville

6)Jackson County

 

Cumberland @ Bell January 2 7:30