13th Region Week 5 Rankings and Review

13th Region Week 5 Review:

If there was a week there was going to be a change at the top it would probably have to be this one because it’s hard to see North Laurel losing multiple games in a week the rest of the season. A few 13th region teams represented the region well with winning in their respective tournaments this past week. Corbin had likely the biggest win of the region over Knoxville Catholic proving they’re a threat to reel off 3 straight in the region. This week should tell a little more about how the region teams match up against each other as more local games will kick off the new year. 

1. Harlan (11-2): The Green Dragons went 2-1 on the week with a dominant win over Bishop Brossart before falling to Frederick Douglass, then wrapping up with a win over Bath County in their own tournament. Harlan will play region foe then kick off the All “A” against Lynn Camp. 

2. North Laurel (8-6): The Jaguars went 1-2 on the week by starting with a win over Campbell County, before dropping two straight against North Oldham and Ballard by a combined 31 points. Shepperd and Davidson are leading the way for NL but like Pikeville proved last year at state, if you can contain those and limit everyone else you have a real chance to win. Word is big man Gavin Chadwell should be making his return sometime in January. The Jags will play district foe Clay County and then Lyon County to wrap up the week.

 3. Corbin (7-2): The Redhounds make the biggest jump this week into the 3 spot. Corbin won the CFIT with wins over Bell County and Newport, then winning the Championship over TN State Power Knoxville Catholic. Max Preps has Knox Cath as the number 3 team in Tennessee currently. One has to think the Hounds will only get better as they continue to get more practices under their belt. They will face Danville Christian and Trinity through the week. 

4. Harlan County (10-3): The Black Bears dropped a spot but to no fault of their own as they went 3-0 on the week beating teams from TN and AZ in the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic. HC has a big game against South Laurel at home Thursday before wrapping up the week against St. Henry. 

 5. South Laurel (10-3): The Cardinals are another team that are red hot as they are winners of 8 straight as they won the Daytona Beach Classic going 3-0 on the week. Jordan Mabe had a career day scoring 29 in one of their wins. The Cards have a huge game Thursday on the road at Harlan Co and wrap up the week against another region foe in Bell County in their home tournament. 

 6. Barbourville (8-5): The Tigers are another big mover in the rankings as they went 2-1 on the week dropping a game to Holy Cross but with wins over Grace Christian Academy and Williamsburg. Barbourville takes on two region opponents with Clay County and then OBI as they kick off the All “A” Classic. The Tigers have also added transfer KT Turner from Knox Central, but are currently waiting to see if he is ruled eligible. This would be a big get for the Tigers. 

7. Whitley County (8-4): The Colonels went 1-2 this week dropping a close one point loss to Doss, before rebounding with a big OT win over region opponent Bell County. Brayden Mahan and Ashton Reynolds were the leading scorers for WC this week. Whitley starts the 2A Sectional Tournament this week with Knox Central then likely a game Thursday. 

8. Williamsburg (7-5): The Yellow Jackets have been streaky this year as they opened up with 4 wins, 3 losses, 3 wins, and now are on a 2 game losing streak. They look to right the ship this week as they play region teams Lynn Camp, and then Jackson County in the opening of the All “A”. Jerrod Roark is leading the Burg at 21.0 a game this year. 

9. Bell County (3-8): It’s hard for me to move the Bobcats past 9 based off the schedule they have played vs the schedules the teams below them have played. Yes they are struggling in the win department, but I believe if any of the other teams under them played their schedule they’d be the same way. The Bobcats dropped to Corbin, Newport, and in OT against Whitley this week. They will open the week with McCreary Central in the 2A Sectional, before wrapping up the week against South Laurel. 

10. Clay County (6-3): The Tigers went 2-0 on the week to bring their win streak to four games. It’s nice to see Clay County do well this year after the last few seasons they’ve had. They have a busy week as they play region foe Barbourville, go to Letcher, then play a district game against North Laurel. 

Best of the rest:

11. Jackson County (10-5)

12. Pineville  (8-3)

13. Lynn Camp (3-8)

14. OBI (5-7)

15. Middlesboro (3-8)

16. Knox Central (0-11): I’d like to put a note with Knox Central. Anyone who’s outside the region may be thinking what has happened to the panthers. Prior to this season, they had been to the last four region championship games, winning three straight before losing last season. From last season to this season, KC has lost their head coach and only had four kids who had played varsity time from last year due to graduation and transfers. Those four kids averaged 1.6 points per game combined. These Panthers are very young and due to graduation, kids not coming back out, and transfers this is the reason why you’ve seen the sudden decline. 

17. Red Bird (0-8)