Girls Top 5

 

1. Clay County (4-2)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Tigers have lost two of their last three games, but like I’ve stated before, until a 13th Region teams beats Clay County, it stays at the No. 1 slot.

 

Surprise, surprise: Clay County put together a solid game against visiting and undefeated Iroquois before losing, 47-46.

 

What’s ahead: The Lady Tigers are going against some of the best teams in the state right now, while participating in the 5th/Third Bank Prime Time Classic.

 

2. Whitley County (6-1)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Colonels have been on a roll as of late. Whitley County captured big wins against previous unbeatens (Casey County, Estill County) and look to continue to dominate their opponents today.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Lady Colonels are a solid team. If Whitley County can continue its recent trend of beating top-notch teams, look for the Lady Colonels to compete for a 13th Region title this season.

 

What’s ahead: Whitley County finishes up in the Berea Invitational the next two days and will be back in action Dec. 27 by participating in the Boyle County Invitational.

 

3. Corbin (5-1)

What’s the scoop: I’ve turned into a believer of Jennifer Parsons’ Lady Redhounds. You know, if you take away Corbin’s four-point road loss to Whitley County, the Lady Redhounds would be undefeated right now.

 

Surprise, surprise: I’m really surprised with the way the season has started for Parsons’ squad.

First off, Parsons has shown that she’s one of the best coaches around and the Lady Redhounds have shown they are a team to watch out for come post-season time.

Corbin’s squad play is improving and if the Lady Redhounds can continue to get solid production from freshman Kelci Jones, Parsons’ squad will compete for a region crown.

 

What’s ahead: The Lady Redhounds are finishing up their stay in the Berea Invitational and will be back in action on Dec. 28, while playing in the Boyd County Classic.

 

4. North Laurel (6-1)

What’s the scoop: North Laurel picked up a big win over 49th District foe Jackson County Friday and enter the Christmas break with an impressive 6-1 record.

The main reason for the early success? It has to be legendary coach Roy Bowling.

Bowling took over a young, but talented team and has turned the Lady Jaguars into region contenders.

 

Surprise, surprise: To be honest, I’m surprised North Laurel is 6-1, but then again, the Lady Jaguars have a talented roster.

 

What’s ahead: North Laurel will travel to Middlesboro on Dec. 27 to participate in the First Priority Tri-State Basketball Classic. This should be a pretty interesting tournament for Bowling’s squad.

 

5. South Laurel (3-3)

What’s the scoop: South Laurel stopped its two-game skid by defeating Madison Southern Tuesday.

I was really high on the Lady Cardinals a couple of weeks back, and still am.

 

Surprise, surprise: I was surprised with the Lady Cardinals’ early-season slump. The way South Laurel started the season, I really felt like Konnie Snyder’s squad would be 5-1 right now.

 

What’s ahead: After participating in the Berea Invitational, the Lady Cardinals will be off until their Jan. 4 match-up with 50th District foe Williamsburg.

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Cawood (4-3)

What’s the scoop: The Trojanettes have two solid wins over Bell County and Middlesboro, but have losses to Corbin and Whitley County.

 

No. 7 Jackson County (2-1)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Generals’ schedule has me scratching my head. They’ve only played three games, but will be playing in the Berea Invitational.

 

No. 8 Bell County (2-3)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Bobcats have been playing up-and-down, but they’re still good enough to be at the No. 8 spot.

 

No. 9 Williamsburg (5-3)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Yellow Jackets are winners of four straight - including a win over Barbourville.

 

No. 10 Barbourville (6-3)

What’s the scoop: It was either Barbourville or Cumberland at this spot, so the Lady Tigers have won a head-to-head meeting with the Lady Redskins, 50-44.

 

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.

Cawood moves from nowhere to No. 6. I'm curious to see how they play against North Laurel next week. I agree on Clay, Whitley, Corbin and South as the elite of the region. I'm not sure if North belongs there or with Cawood and Jackson in the next group.

 

Middlesboro may be a little better than Williamsburg and Barbourville.

Until South improves some or North faulters, South stays.

I figured I would move Cawood to No. 6, so you would be happy finally:) Just kidding.

Heck, from 6-10, you could put thsoe teams anywhere.

BUMP...

I believe that the Cumberland Lady Skins deserve to be in the top 10 in the Region somewhere if teams in the 13th Region that are 2-3 are in there. I mean Cumberland has a starting point guard that is an 8th grader and 3 other starters that are freshman. Come on, they have a 6-2 record and one of those losses was only by 2 points.

Cumberland lost to Barbourville and Harlan and beat Red Bird by two. They aren't a top 10 team yet.

Im sorry to say, but everyone in Cumberland knows that the Harlan Daily Enterprise is against Cumberland or at least a certain Managing Editor is. You were not at the game against Red Bird or you would have saw that refs were awful. One of the ref's children graduated from Red Bird and all of the players knew him by name. Does that not tell you something? From my knowledge, the HDE will not be getting any comments or anything from the Lady Skins until Cumberland is represented fairly by HDE. The sports editor is the only person who gives Cumberland equal treatment. Your important is not appreicated!

Cumberland lost to Barbourville and Harlan and beat Red Bird by two. They aren't a top 10 team yet.

 

 

I ahve to agree with you on this one HDE.

By the way everyone, I'm on vacation until Jan. 2, so there will be no poll this week.

How has Cumberland been represented unfairly?

I could name many things, but I won't to save me time and energy. You know how we are treated by you all. We could win by 100 and you would make it look as if we only won because the other team played bad or something.

I've always like the Lady Skins.

Well if you like the Lady Skins, then make it look that way when you cover the games and remember that comment when it comes to the Harlan Daily Enterprise Girls All District Team and stuff.

I have seen several occasions when HDE has stood up for the athletes at Cumberland when it comes to post season awards or publicity. Harlan is 25 miles from Cumberland. Why not jump the Tri-City News for not covering local sports the way they should? With all the youth and families involved in Cumberland athletics there should be two full pages a week in that paper covering sports! I bet you could even cover the events and write the stories, you might even get paid. Then again, it wouldn't be about the money.

Show me some proof of them taking up for Cumberland. I do agree with the fact the Tri-City News should cover Cumberland Sports, but they can't even cover regular news.

I could name many things, but I won't to save me time and energy. You know how we are treated by you all. We could win by 100 and you would make it look as if we only won because the other team played bad or something.

 

 

How many Cumberland games in football and basketball, home and away, have you missed the last 10 years?

 

We've had someone at every one of them (McLean County, Richmond, Oneida, Somerset, Stanton, Scotsville, Lexington etc...)

 

Do you think every school, most schools, get that kind of coverage?

 

I don't have a vote in the all-district or all-county teams unless it's to break a tie in all-county.