Here is your 13th Region Top 10 Preview. With Reed Sheppard now making plays for UK instead of the Jaguars, the path to Rupp opens up. There is still some major star power within the region which is led by South Carolina commit Trent Noah. With a few transfers happening in the offseason, the 13th should be competitive as teams battle for the title. 

 

1. Harlan County (27-6). Key Losses: Daniel Carmical (13 ppg)
Most had the Black Bears penciled in to play NL in the 13th region championship before they were upset by Corbin in the first round. With Trent Noah (27ppg) and Maddox Huff (17 ppg) returning, most are looking for this to be the year they break through and win the region. Trent Noah is the favorite to win 13th Region POY. 

2. Corbin (23-8). Key Losses: Hayden Llewellyn (16 ppg ) Brody Wells (9 ppg)
Corbin brings back a solid nucleus of talent led by Zander Curry, Carter Stewart, Eli Pietrowski, Trey Worley, and Kade Elam. With the majority of these kids being football players, it may take a little time for them to start to gel. However, this is a team that should be dangerous and ready to make a run in the region. 

3. Clay County (15-16). Key Losses: None
When Clay County is good, 13th region basketball is a better product. Clay only loses one senior off of a squad last year and he never truly played. Clay brings back their whole team, along with the addition of Jerrod Roark from Williamsburg and a new head coach in Michael Jones. Hayden Harris is another piece of the puzzle that looks to be a top 10 player in the region. 

4. North Laurel (25-11). Key Losses: Reed Sheppard, Ryan Davidson, Gavin Chadwell
The heart and soul for the Jaguars these past few years has been Reed and Ryan. With them graduating a lot of new faces and role players must take the next step. Sophomore Reece Davidson will look to do just that. Colton Rawling and Brody Brock will also look to help boost a Jaguars team that will have fresh faces. 

5. South Laurel (24-9). Key Losses: Eli Gover, Parker Payne, Caden Jones
The cardinals lose 4 of their top 5 starters to graduation, but bring back a top ten player in the region in Jordan Mabe. The main reason I feel comfortable putting them in this slot to round out the top 5 is their head coach. Jeff Davis is one of the top coaches in the region and always gets the most out of what he has. There is no doubt he will have the cards playing good basketball by the end of the season. 

6. Whitley County (20-10) Key Losses: Ashton Reynolds, Jamie Fuson
The colonels finally got over the hump of beating one of the big two (South and Corbin) in their district but couldn’t get over that hump in the district. If there is a year to do it then it may be this year. The Colonels will be led by Senior Guard Bryce Anderson and Freshman Evan Ellis. 

7. Bell County (15-16). Key Losses: Dawson Woolum
Losing Woolum hurts but bringing back essentially the rest of your team helps. Brad Sizemore is going to get the most out of the Bobcats and they’re going to be led by three non senior returners in Burnett, Hall, and Buell. With Harlan Co leading the way for the region, Bell and Harlan should be fighting out that second spot in the 52nd district. 

8. Harlan (24-8). Key Losses: Kaleb McLendon, Will Austin, Jae Dyn Gist
Harlan probably gets hit the hardest with graduation in the 13th region. They bring back their superstar Kyler McLendon but lose all of the support around him. Harlan is known for having kids that can shoot and kids that get up and down the court running, and I would expect no difference this year. 

9. Pineville (18-11). Key Losses: Evan Biliter
This may be the year that Pineville brings home the 51st district. They’re led by Sawyer Thompson who is one of the top ten players in the region. Pineville finally got over the hump and made the region last year before falling in the first round. This may be the year of the mountain lion. 

10. Barbourville (19-11). Key Losses: A lot
The Tigers lost 6 of their top 7 scorers to graduation. There will be a lot of new faces on the court for the tigers. Ty Clark is the lone returner that hopes to help the tigers make some noise. 

11. Jackson County (17-13)

12. Williamsburg (15-15)

13. Middlesboro (9-22)

14. Knox Central (4-26)

15. Lynn Camp (5-24)

16. OBI (11-21)

17. Red Bird (5-18)

54 minutes ago, DearToday said:

Here is your 13th Region Top 10 Preview. With Reed Sheppard now making plays for UK instead of the Jaguars, the path to Rupp opens up. There is still some major star power within the region which is led by South Carolina commit Trent Noah. With a few transfers happening in the offseason, the 13th should be competitive as teams battle for the title. 

 

1. Harlan County (27-6). Key Losses: Daniel Carmical (13 ppg)
Most had the Black Bears penciled in to play NL in the 13th region championship before they were upset by Corbin in the first round. With Trent Noah (27ppg) and Maddox Huff (17 ppg) returning, most are looking for this to be the year they break through and win the region. Trent Noah is the favorite to win 13th Region POY. 

2. Corbin (23-8). Key Losses: Hayden Llewellyn (16 ppg ) Brody Wells (9 ppg)
Corbin brings back a solid nucleus of talent led by Zander Curry, Carter Stewart, Eli Pietrowski, Trey Worley, and Kade Elam. With the majority of these kids being football players, it may take a little time for them to start to gel. However, this is a team that should be dangerous and ready to make a run in the region. 

3. Clay County (15-16). Key Losses: None
When Clay County is good, 13th region basketball is a better product. Clay only loses one senior off of a squad last year and he never truly played. Clay brings back their whole team, along with the addition of Jerrod Roark from Williamsburg and a new head coach in Michael Jones. Hayden Harris is another piece of the puzzle that looks to be a top 10 player in the region. 

4. North Laurel (25-11). Key Losses: Reed Sheppard, Ryan Davidson, Gavin Chadwell
The heart and soul for the Jaguars these past few years has been Reed and Ryan. With them graduating a lot of new faces and role players must take the next step. Sophomore Reece Davidson will look to do just that. Colton Rawling and Brody Brock will also look to help boost a Jaguars team that will have fresh faces. 

5. South Laurel (24-9). Key Losses: Eli Gover, Parker Payne, Caden Jones
The cardinals lose 4 of their top 5 starters to graduation, but bring back a top ten player in the region in Jordan Mabe. The main reason I feel comfortable putting them in this slot to round out the top 5 is their head coach. Jeff Davis is one of the top coaches in the region and always gets the most out of what he has. There is no doubt he will have the cards playing good basketball by the end of the season. 

6. Whitley County (20-10) Key Losses: Ashton Reynolds, Jamie Fuson
The colonels finally got over the hump of beating one of the big two (South and Corbin) in their district but couldn’t get over that hump in the district. If there is a year to do it then it may be this year. The Colonels will be led by Senior Guard Bryce Anderson and Freshman Evan Ellis. 

7. Bell County (15-16). Key Losses: Dawson Woolum
Losing Woolum hurts but bringing back essentially the rest of your team helps. Brad Sizemore is going to get the most out of the Bobcats and they’re going to be led by three non senior returners in Burnett, Hall, and Buell. With Harlan Co leading the way for the region, Bell and Harlan should be fighting out that second spot in the 52nd district. 

8. Harlan (24-8). Key Losses: Kaleb McLendon, Will Austin, Jae Dyn Gist
Harlan probably gets hit the hardest with graduation in the 13th region. They bring back their superstar Kyler McLendon but lose all of the support around him. Harlan is known for having kids that can shoot and kids that get up and down the court running, and I would expect no difference this year. 

9. Pineville (18-11). Key Losses: Evan Biliter
This may be the year that Pineville brings home the 51st district. They’re led by Sawyer Thompson who is one of the top ten players in the region. Pineville finally got over the hump and made the region last year before falling in the first round. This may be the year of the mountain lion. 

10. Barbourville (19-11). Key Losses: A lot
The Tigers lost 6 of their top 7 scorers to graduation. There will be a lot of new faces on the court for the tigers. Ty Clark is the lone returner that hopes to help the tigers make some noise. 

11. Jackson County (17-13)

12. Williamsburg (15-15)

13. Middlesboro (9-22)

14. Knox Central (4-26)

15. Lynn Camp (5-24)

16. OBI (11-21)

17. Red Bird (5-18)

A very Good list but Rawlings at NL has transferred to SL. In my opinion Corbin or SL wins the region. On paper HC is the pick but One on one play from jumpshooters never translates well to the Arena(see last years flameout). Corbin has a good core group but I don't know for sure where the scoring comes from consistently although will prob be Pietrowski and SL has the 2nd best player in the Region in Mabe--no one affects the game more than him. Clay made a great pickup from the coaching perspective but I don't know if the players are going to mesh together well enough to win the region. NL has lost to much--You are asking a kid who averaged 2.7 ppg last year to lead a team, not going to happen in my opinion. They will not beat clay for district. Jackson County has the best size plus a good shooter in Summers, they could challenge NL for the #2 position in the district. Best players in the Region---Noah(HC), Mabe(SL), Mcclendon(Harlan), Thompson(Pineville), Harris(Clay), Huff(HC), Pietrowski(Corbin), Summers(Jackson), Chadwell(KC),Burnett(Bell), Worley(Corbin). 

23 minutes ago, Waterboy70 said:

A very Good list but Rawlings at NL has transferred to SL. In my opinion Corbin or SL wins the region. On paper HC is the pick but One on one play from jumpshooters never translates well to the Arena(see last years flameout). Corbin has a good core group but I don't know for sure where the scoring comes from consistently although will prob be Pietrowski and SL has the 2nd best player in the Region in Mabe--no one affects the game more than him. Clay made a great pickup from the coaching perspective but I don't know if the players are going to mesh together well enough to win the region. NL has lost to much--You are asking a kid who averaged 2.7 ppg last year to lead a team, not going to happen in my opinion. They will not beat clay for district. Jackson County has the best size plus a good shooter in Summers, they could challenge NL for the #2 position in the district. Best players in the Region---Noah(HC), Mabe(SL), Mcclendon(Harlan), Thompson(Pineville), Harris(Clay), Huff(HC), Pietrowski(Corbin), Summers(Jackson), Chadwell(KC),Burnett(Bell), Worley(Corbin). 

Didn't realize that! Thank you for the heads up. I also forgot that Chadwell had went back to Knox Central, where he didn't play football I forgot he hadn't graduated. I would like to see Knox return back to being competitive. The 13th at the Arena is always a good time. 

5 minutes ago, DearToday said:

Didn't realize that! Thank you for the heads up. I also forgot that Chadwell had went back to Knox Central, where he didn't play football I forgot he hadn't graduated. I would like to see Knox return back to being competitive. The 13th at the Arena is always a good time. 

Mitchell will have Knox back to respectability and should be the #2 in the district-will fullcourt press a bunch. Could be the funnest team to watch in the 13th. And the Arena is one of the better venues to watch a ballgame in the state--just to many dang steps lol.

Courier Journal put out their top 10 for the 13th. Here's how they ranked them. 

Teams: 

1. Harlan County 2. Corbin 3. North Laurel 4. Clay County 5. South Laurel 6. Bell County 7. Whitley County 8. Harlan 9. Pineville 10. Jackson County

Players:

1. Trent Noah (Harlan Co) 2. Maddox Huff (Harlan Co) 3. Kyler McLendon (Harlan) 4. Jordan Mabe (South Laurel) 5. Hayden Harris (Clay County) 6. Sawyer Thompson (Pineville) 7. Zander Curry (Corbin) 8. Reece Davidson (North Laurel) 9. Jerrod Roark (Clay County) 10. Carter Stewart (Corbin)

On 11/13/2023 at 2:32 PM, Waterboy70 said:

Mitchell will have Knox back to respectability and should be the #2 in the district-will fullcourt press a bunch. Could be the funnest team to watch in the 13th. And the Arena is one of the better venues to watch a ballgame in the state--just to many dang steps lol.

I know he dropped a lot of games on the schedule from previous coach that put some teams in a bind, but I'm sure will make their season more respectable this year.

Bump.

I’m not sure about this season but Larry Gritton Jr is back coaching OBI and I have a feeling he will build them back into a competitive program. However, I’m not sure how long he plans on doing this job because he is also the school’s president. He may just be filling in for a year or so. He was a standout himself at OBI playing for his dad back in the ‘90s, and I think this is his second stint as head coach. I think this year he has a young team and a very good middle school team that had a successful season.,

Actually, OBI is in a perfect system to build a powerhouse if they chose that route. They are a boarding school with students from all over the U.S. and the world. They could theoretically build an Oak Hill Academy type program and do it legally. They have a beautiful campus and have been renovating buildings or building new structures for the past few years. The school has a lot of upside. 

4 minutes ago, The Professor said:

I’m not sure about this season but Larry Gritton Jr is back coaching OBI and I have a feeling he will build them back into a competitive program. However, I’m not sure how long he plans on doing this job because he is also the school’s president. He may just be filling in for a year or so. He was a standout himself at OBI playing for his dad back in the ‘90s, and I think this is his second stint as head coach. I think this year he has a young team and a very good middle school team that had a successful season.,

Actually, OBI is in a perfect system to build a powerhouse if they chose that route. They are a boarding school with students from all over the U.S. and the world. They could theoretically build an Oak Hill Academy type program and do it legally. They have a beautiful campus and have been renovating buildings or building new structures for the past few years. The school has a lot of upside. 

I don't know about their high school program, but I know they have a really good group of middle school kids coming up right now....so maybe building something for the next couple of years anyway.