Boys Top 5

 

1. South Laurel (8-1)

What’s the scoop: The Cardinals continue to roll against 13th Region competition. With the win against Clay County Wednesday, South Laurel ran its win streak against 13th Region teams to 25 games.

 

Surprise, surprise: Since the season began, a lot of people had been talking about the addition of freshman Matt Gilbert to the Cardinals’ squad.

Well, you can add freshman Matt St. John to the mix, too. If South Laurel is going to make a run at its second consecutive 13th Region crown, then St. John needs to continue to improve and he’s doing just that.

 

What’s ahead: The Cardinals will be back in action today in the semi-finals of the Hoopin’ It Up Classic, and beginning on Jan. 5, South Laurel will participate in the Nissan on Nicholasville Shootout.

 

2. Bell County (4-0)

What’s the scoop: Bell County continues to be the No. 2 team in the region after demolishing Cawood at home, 69-48.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Bobcats have what it takes to win the 13th Region championship with the excellent guard play of the Whitaker brothers and the inside play of Brent Slusher.

 

What’s ahead: Bell County participates in the Cumberland Falls Invitational beginning on Dec. 26 and will get a solid test against No. 3 Cumberland on Jan. 2.

 

3. Cumberland (6-0)

What’s the scoop: The Redskins and Bell County are the lone undefeated teams in the region, granted though, neither team’s schedule so far would be rated as one of the toughest in the region, but Cumberland continues to win and you can’t fault that.

 

Surprise, surprise: Despite having starters Desmond Johnson and Michael Washington foul out, Cumberland still managed to pull out a 70-62 win over Powell County Tuesday.

Cumberland was red-hot behind the 3-point line, hitting 7-of-12 shot attempts, as Kyle Simpson led the way, hitting 6-of-9 3-pointers, while leading the team with 29 points. Brock Leisge followed with 17 points.

 

What’s ahead: The Redskins will be back in action on Dec. 26 while participating in the Letcher County Central Tournament and will follow that up with a showdown against No. 2 Bell County Jan. 2.

 

4. Corbin (6-3)

What’s the scoop: The Redhounds drop a spot after losing a couple of games this past week.

 

Surprise, surprise: I wasn’t surprised Corbin lost to South Laurel last week and I still believe the Redhounds can beat the Cardinals, but they’ve got to handle the Cardinals’ defensive pressure and get solid guard play.

And not to mention, some scoring help for Josh Crawford.

 

What’s ahead: Corbin has the Cumberland Falls Invitational beginning next week. The Redhounds’ first round opponent will be Shelby Valley.

 

5. Clay County (5-1)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers remain in the Top 5 after getting off to an impressive start. Kevin Spurlock’s team will be very dangerous to play by the time post-season play comes around.

 

Surprise, surprise: I’m really surprised by the Tigers’ solid start. Clay County’s schedule hasn’t been that tough and the one thing that worries me is the Tigers’ close game against Harlan, but anyway, until proven otherwise, Big Clay remains at the No. 5 slot.

 

What’s ahead: Clay County will host the Bobby Keith Classic next week in Manchester.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Jackson County (5-2)

What’s the scoop: The Generals are hard to read. And that’s an understatement. Maybe the trip to Hawaii will allow Jackson County players find the magic they need to make a run in the 13th Region.

An eight-point win at home against OBI isn’t going to cut it come district tournament time against teams such as North Laurel and Clay County.

 

No. 7 North Laurel (4-4)

What’s the scoop: I’m really beginning to like what I see coming out of the Jaguar camp. This is another team that could be dangerous come post-season time.

Two reasons why North Laurel is successful are: guard Nick Shannon and Pennsylvania transfer Josh Seidel, who scored 22 points and knocked down four 3-pointers in a win a couple of days ago.

 

No. 8 Lynn Camp (6-2)

What’s the scoop: The Wildcats are continuing to surprise by jumping out to a 6-2 start this season.

The Wildcats have a solid guard duo in Jonah Mitchell and Craig Bargo and the duo combined to score 51 points during Lynn Camp’s win over Evarts Tuesday.

Can the Campers keep it up?

The Wildcats have a stretch of three district games against Pineville, Barbourville and Knox Central beginning on Jan. 5 that will show how much they have improved this season.

 

No. 9 Pineville (4-2)

What’s the scoop: The Mountain Lions are another team that’s hard to figure out. Pineville loses to Red Bird, but comes away with an impressive 70-55 road win over Barbourville.

Welcome back to the Top 10 Pineville.

 

No. 10 Barbourville (4-4)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers continue the strange trend of trying to figure out a team in the 13th Region.

Barbourville only lost to No. 3 Cumberland by three points on the road, but has dropped games to Whitley County and Pineville.

But we can’t forget they have beaten teams such as Red Bird and Somerset.

 

Les Dixon is the Sports Editor and can be reached at [email protected]. The Fear ‘Les’ 13th Region boys and girls ratings will be published in every Thursday edition of the Times-Tribune.

Nothing big, but Cumberland doesn't play in the LCC tourney until the 28th, other than that looks pretty good. Can't wait for that Bell/Cumberland game on the 2nd, it should show how good the Skins are.

No, no...thanks for that. That's what i meant to put in.

What do you have against Knox Central? The boys are young but have played South Laurel as tough as anyone. No way they are the worst team in the 51rst. The girls are struggling but they beat Williamsburg by 18 and you have W'burg in your top 10. Also took North Laurel to OT and if the coach would have continued playing man to man they would have probably won. I know your are from Corbin......but??????

First off, I'm not from Corbin. So you're wrong. Secondly, I have nothing against Central...third off, playing South Laurel close, as you say, still doesn't get you a 'W' when the record shows.

Maybe you should tell Coach Elam to play man-to-man? I believe Elam knows what he's doing.

The Bengals played the Bucs and Chargers close, too, but still lost. And, my poll is more of 'what have you done for me latley, not what did you do two weeks ago.

It based on who's playing well right now and the W'burg girls are playing well and KC isn't. That doesn't mean KC won't be in there at any point this season.

First off, I'm not from Corbin. So you're wrong. Secondly, I have nothing against Central...third off, playing South Laurel close, as you say, still doesn't get you a 'W' when the record shows.

Maybe you should tell Coach Elam to play man-to-man? I believe Elam knows what he's doing.

The Bengals played the Bucs and Chargers close, too, but still lost. And, my poll is more of 'what have you done for me latley, not what did you do two weeks ago.

It based on who's playing well right now and the W'burg girls are playing well and KC isn't. That doesn't mean KC won't be in there at any point this season.

 

I stand corrected. :thumb: Not much hope for the girls. I feel sorry for the Messer kid. Looks like she is the only one who cares. I am excited for the boys. We will see what kind of Coach Elam is they are young but talented and have some size. As for the Bengals ??????

Hopefully the Bengals win this week and Buffalo and Jacksonville loses...then we get a playoff berth.

Hopefully the Bengals win this week and Buffalo and Jacksonville loses...then we get a playoff berth.

What happens if the Steelers win out?

I'm not too sure yet on the Steelers, but they need a lot of help even if they win out.

bUMP...

Pineville beat Barbourville which is what they needed to do considering what this team has been through already this year. But with two starters out for Barbourville, a 15 point win is not what I expected. Pineville has a ton of potential and has plenty of things to work out. But I wasn't expecting a team that has no seniors to be perfect at the start of the season. I'm not really worried about them because they have still yet to hit anywhere close to their stride. But with the Cumberland Falls on its way they better be getting close to stride. Another reason I'm no longer worried about the Mtn. Lions is they have somebody to go to when they need to score. With Blake Hensley graduating last year I personally worried about Pineville because they didn't look like they would have guard that could take over the game. Sophomore James Strange has taken that role and has put the Mountain Lions on his shoulders. Give Pineville sometime and they will be back in the region top 5.

After just seeing Knox Central, I'd put them in the top 10 instead of Lynn Camp or Barbourville (since Barbourville is struggling with injuries right now). Other than that it looks good.

I'm sure Central will be back in the Top 10 sometime, but as for now, they're behind B'ville and the Campers. Thanks for your input, though.

BUMP

I have to disagree too, I personally believe that Central is Better then Barbourville and IMO I think are about equal with Pineville. But Central's performance depends on how Miller plays. Being a freshman, so far his games are up and down. I just don’t see how you can have Bville 10th. Last year they were 10 times better and were one of the top in the region, you hardly put them in the top 3. This year they are way down ( especially now with injuries) and you have them up there. On a different note though, have you got to see Bell County play yet? Humors have said they are pretty good but I haven’t got to head up on the mountain yet this year.