An exciting week in 13th region basketball. Harlan County continues to solidify they are one of the top teams in the state. Williamsburg went on a nice run to win the All A for the 13th Region. Bell County finally faced their first loss of the year. Corbin put together a nice week and Red Bird picked up their first win on the season. I feel pretty solid about the top 5.. 6-10 is where things get weird. Here is your 13th Region rankings and reviews from Week 7. 

 

1. Harlan County (18-2).
Another week that passes, another perfect week. HC started this week by beating previously undefeated Bell County by 19, then a 39 point win over Middlesboro, and then wrapped the week up with a 7 point win over 8th Region power Woodford County. If I’m not mistaken I believe I read somewhere that Maddox Huff set the HC record for 3’s in a game in the win over Middlesboro. Harlan County is absolutely rolling right now and look to keep it moving with a game against Harlan at home on Friday. 

2. Corbin (10-4)
Corbin put together a really nice week with a big district win at South Laurel by 11. Connor Middleton led the way in that one with 21 and 7 on 80% shooting from the field. They then wrapped up the week with a 36 point win over Jackson County and a 10 point win over Madison Southern. The Redhounds have won four straight and try to keep it rolling as they go to Whitley County Tuesday and host South Laurel Friday in two games that will likely decide if they finish with the top seed in district. 

3. South Laurel (10-5)
South is currently on a 3 game losing streak and are struggling without Jordan Mabe. The only reason they don’t drop more is because the teams under them also had tough weeks. SL had a 11 point loss against Corbin then wrapped up the week with a 7 point loss to Evangel Christian. All eyes are currently on their big road game against Corbin this Friday. I’m not sure how long Jordan Mabe is out but they will really need him if they look to knock off a solid Corbin bunch at their place. 

4. Bell County (16-2).
It was bound to happen eventually but the Bobcats finally faced their first loss of the season. In this case it was a 19 point loss to Harlan County at home, then they were beat by Boyd County by 2 in OT in the 2A in a game where they led most of the way. In the Boyd County game no one else played but the five starters. You can’t help but feel Bell needs to build some sort of depth if they’re going to be a dark horse in the 13th region. Bell has two big district games this week, the first against Harlan at home on Tuesday, and then they host Middlesboro on Friday. 

5. North Laurel (6-10)
North Laurel picked up the win in their only game on the week by beating Madison Central by 16. Reece Davidson finished with 19, Brody Brock with 15, and Kole Jervis with 13. The Jaguars have slowly kept improving and I think can be a real dark horse team come region time. NL has a chance to essentially wrap up the district this week as they host Jackson Co Tuesday, and then go to Clay County on Friday. If they win those 3 then they will likely be the top seed in the 49th. 

6. Clay County (9-7)
To add to the Clay County drama of this season I’ve now heard that Landon Dezarn has enrolled in Jackson County. Only time will tell if this happened. Clay knocked off Sevier County TN this week by 4 in a game where Hayden Harris led all scorers with 24. Clay desperately needs a big week this week if they’re going to contend for the top seed in the 49th. They are supposed to host OBI tonight but with the snow I could see this one being rescheduled. They then host North Laurel Friday. 

7. Knox Central (12-5)
Knox went 0-1 on the week with a 3 point loss at Perry County Central. Grayson Burton had a huge game with 25, and Gavin Chadwell manned the middle with 16 and 15. You would’ve liked to have seen the panthers be able to get the win on the road but they’re having a solid year this year. The Panthers are supposed to host Harlan tonight and then Bourbon County on Friday for the week. 

8. Williamsburg (10-8).
If there was a team of the week this week it would be Williamsburg Yellow Jackets. After going through a lull mid December, the ‘Burg has gotten hot. It started with a 20 point win over OBI in the 13th region All A semi’s, then carried over into a 3 point win over Harlan to win the 13th Region All A. They carried that momentum and did something probably no one saw them doing and knocked off Whitley County at home by 1 to cap off a great week. Andrew Smith led the way in the All A finals with 21 and 9. The Yellow Jackets look to keep their winning ways going with a game against Knoxville Ambassadors Tuesday, Jackson City Thursday, then I.A.M. TN at home on Saturday. 

9. Whitley County (13-3).
Whitley probably didn’t have to fall so far, but it was tough to rank them ahead of a team they just lost to. They will have their chances to move back up the rankings in the coming weeks. This is still a team that only has 3 losses on the year and has been playing good basketball. Whitley has lost two straight against Bell and Williamsburg, but look to get back in the win column as they host Corbin Tuesday, and then Lynn Camp Friday. 

10. Harlan (4-10)
Harlan gets the nod here over Pineville from their win over them in the All A in OT. Kyler McLendon had a monster game with 47 points in the win. They did drop their next game by 3 in the finals against Williamsburg. The Green Dragons have a big week this week with a game at Knox today, at Bell Co tomorrow, and at Harlan Co Friday. If they can win 2 of these 3 it would do a lot for this young team moving forward. 

 

Best of the Rest:

11. Pineville (10-5)

12. Jackson County (6-8)

13. OBI (8-7)

14. Middlesboro (6-8)

15. Barbourville (5-12)

16. Lynn Camp (3-11)

17. Red Bird (1-8)

Def agree with the rankings although SL is ranked to high as they are currently constructed. While SL has had other players step up they far from #3 w/o Mabe(Prob the most valuable individual player in the STATE) and honestly Clay county is a little high just from the team turmoil they have(Too many individuals to be a team at this point). HC is the class of the 13th at this point and realistically unless Mabe experiences a miracle(from what I'm told) I don't think they will be challenged. As always I look forward to your insights