13th Region Week 3 Review:
1. North Laurel (6-3): The Jaguars went 1-2 on the week while playing all three of their games away from home. Don’t let the record fool you. Although the jags have three losses on their mark, the losses have been to Bowling Green by 1, Myers Park (NC) in the City of Palms Classic, and a loss to Imhotep Charter (PA) by 5.. who happens to be ranked 4th in the nation according to Max Preps. The jaguars haven’t played with their big man Gavin Chadwell since December 3rd and hope to have him back sooner than later. North has continued to be led by the duo of Reed Sheppard (23 & 9) and Ryan Davidson (19 & 6). 

 

2. Harlan (7-0): Coming into the season the Green Dragons had to figure out how to replace one of the states best seniors in Jordan Akal who averaged 25 a game and was a threat to set the nets on fire any time he stepped foot in the gym. 6 games in, and the Green Dragons have started red hot and answered any questions of how this season will go. Already with a WYMT Classic championship under their belt, Harlan went 2-0 this week with a key win over Pikeville. Harlan was led by a balanced scoring effort that saw 4 players score double digits in each win. Kyler McLendon, Jae’dyn Gist, Will Austin, and Kaleb McLendon are all averaging double digit scoring on the season. 

 

3. Harlan County (6-2): The Black Bears went 2-1 on the week and more importantly picked up a key district win over Bell County. Trent Noah paved the way with 36 and 9 while Maddox Huff added 16 and 5. In seasons past the 52nd district has been the most competitive in the region so to pick up a win early was important. HC dropped a nail biter to Lyon County 73-76, before rebounding with a win over Fairdale in the King of the Bluegrass. If HC can pick up a win Monday against Male they will have had a pretty solid showing in one of the states premier tournaments.  

 

4. Corbin (3-0): The Redhounds went 2-0 on the week and are a dark horse to make some noise and dethrone the jags. The hounds blew out Middlesboro 79-32, before picking up a big district win over Williamsburg 80-71. Corbin is led by Hayden Llewellyn, but once their football players Carter Stewart, Eli Pietrowski, Brody Wells, Kade Elam, and Zander Curry get up to speed this team has the potential to be dangerous. 

 

5. South Laurel (4-3): The Cardinals dropped a game at Mad South earlier in the week before bouncing back with wins over Knox Central and Shelby Valley. The Cardinals are paced by Parker Payne who puts up 16.8 per game right now. If there’s anything about a Jeff Davis coached team, they’re going to continue to improve and get after you on the defensive side of the ball. 

 

6. Whitley County (6-1): The Colonels finished the week going 3-0 with two wins over 13th region teams. Ashton Reynolds exploded onto the scene scoring 35, 25 and 20 this week. The Colonels may be a dark horse in the 50th district this year. 

 

7. Barbourville (5-2): The Tigers finished 3-0 on the week with wins over Region does Clay County and Williamsburg. Senior Travis Scott had a nice 23 & 11 game against the Yellow Jackets. They’ll be back in action tonight against McCreary Central.

8. Williamsburg (4-3): After starting off the season with 4 wins, they’ve dropped their last 3 with the last two being a district game to Corbin and then to Barbourville. A name to remember down the road for this team, Ryder Akins, the young 7th grader has been a key part of the team this year. 

9. Bell County (1-4): the bobcats went 0-2 on the week with a loss to Harlan County and dropped a one point game to Garrard County. The Bobcats are led by one of only two seniors, Dawson Woolum. 

10. Lynn Camp (3-4): The wildcats dropped a game earlier in the week to Whitley but bounced back with a win over Thomas Walker VA. Micah Engle continues to lead this team and just became the programs all time leading scorer this week. 

Best of the rest:

11. Clay County (3-3)

12. Jackson County (5-3)

13. OBI (3-4)

14. Pineville (3-2)

15. Knox Central (0-6)

16. Middlesboro (2-5)

17. Red Bird (0-8)

Bump.