13th Region Week 5 Review and Rankings

Here is your 13th Region rankings and reviews from Week 5. Most teams were in some sort of Christmas tournament of sorts and we got to see a lot of games played in a short time. Here’s how the teams shake out. 

1. Harlan County (13-2).
Harlan County spent their break in the Arby’s Classic in Bristol Tennessee. They opened the tournament up with a win over Oak Ridge TN, before falling by 25 to Kell GA. They were able to bounce back and finish fifth in the tournament with wins over George Wythe VA by 8 and South Shore NY by 8. This was a big time tournament that will pay dividends for the Black Bears on through the year. Harlan Co has two big time games at the end of the end week with Corbin on Friday and North Laurel Saturday. 

2. South Laurel  (9-2)
The Cardinals had another unblemished week by going 3-0 and winning the Richmond Car and Truck Holiday Classic at Mad Central. South beat North Hardin by 7, GRC by 3, and Marshall Co by 10. South continues to show that they are likely the most likely to unseat Harlan County at this point. South plays at Harlan on Tuesday and then at Boyle on Saturday. 

3. Bell County (13-0).
The Bobcats continue to be the 13ths only undefeated team. Bell took part in the Carolina Invitational in Charleston SC and went 3-0 winning the tournament. They beat Bishop England SC by 2, Hilton Head Christian Academy by 1 in OT, then won the championship over Skyline AL by 21. Bell plays Knox Central in the 2A sectional on Tuesday then wraps the week up against Daniel Boone TN at ETSU. 

4. Corbin (5-3).
Corbin had a tough week in their own Cumberland Falls Invitational by going 1-2 on the week. They opened up with a 32 point win over Paris, only before falling to Webb TN and Daniel SC by 14 and 10 respectively. Things don’t get any easier for Corbin as this week they play Danville Christian Academy at home on Tuesday, Harlan County at home on Friday, and Ashland at home on Saturday. 

5. Whitley County (12-1)
Whitley took part in the Borderline Classic over the break and went 3-0 and won it. This is the second straight tournament the Colonels have won. They beat South Doyle by 9, Barbourville by 37, and Garrard Co by 20. Whitley plays McCreary in the 2A section on Tuesday, then at Belfry on Saturday. Whitley is putting together a really nice season and we will know sooner than later if they can upend Corbin to make the region. 

6. Clay County (8-5)
Clay had an up and down week at the Island Beach Blowout. They started off with a win over Fort Walton FL, before losing their next two to Douglass GA by 3, and to Jefferson Davis AL by 12. Hayden Harris is back with the Tigers but he didn’t play in any of the games this week. Clay kicks off district this week with a game at NL on Friday, then they will face Danville Christian at Lincoln on Saturday. 

7. Pineville (8-4)
The Mountain Lions went 3-0 on the week in the Chain Rock Classic. They beat Trimble Co by 15, Somerset Christian by 15, and Powell County by 11. Pineville has put together a nice year and the 51st district will be a tight race between them and Knox Central. Pineville plays Thomas Walker VA on Thursday, then plays Jackson Co on Saturday in the 13th Region All A Classic. 

8. Knox Central (10-3).
Knox went 3-0 on the week in the Burgin Holiday Tournament. They beat Fort Knox by 38, Louisville Collegiate by 28, and Shawnee by 18. Gavin Chadwell had a monster final game with 24 and 20. He’s been dominating on the season. Knox has a chance to shake up the rankings on Tuesday as they play Bell Co in the 2A sectional. Knox will also play Red Bird at home on Thursday. 

9. North Laurel (4-9).
North went 2-2 on the week and doubled up their win total. They took place in the White, Greer, and Maggard Holiday Classic. They opened up tournament play with a 9 point loss to LaRue, then beat Calloway Co by 6 and Taylor Co by 5. They finished the tournament with a 7 point loss to Madison Southern. I’m not ready to write the Jags off and think they will give Clay Co all they want in the district. Those questions will get answered on Friday as they play Clay County at home, then they play Harlan County on Saturday at Corbin. 

10. Middlesboro (5-6)
Middlesboro stopped a four game losing streak with a 34 point win over Trimble County to end the Chain Rock Classic. Middlesboro lost to Somerset by 4 and Raceland by 4 in the previous two. The Yellowjackets will play OBI on Saturday in the 13th Region All A. 

Best of the Rest:

11. Jackson County (5-6). 

12. OBI (7-5)

13. Williamsburg (5-8)

14. Harlan (2-8)

15. Barbourville (5-10)

16. Lynn Camp (2-9)

17. Red Bird (0-5)