Week 8:
While snow covered most of the state this week, it also knocked out every game that the 13th region was scheduled to play. With a lot of these teams being in the mountains, that makes for terrible back roads and driving conditions for a bus. So with that being said, I’m not going to have any movement within the rankings. Instead, we will look at who is on the schedule this week, and the leading scorers for each team as most KHSAA games have their stats now posted. Here’s to better weather and more games being played!

 

1. Harlan County (18-2)
The Black Bears have a busy week this week as they play Harlan tomorrow at home, and then Bell Tuesday at home in big back to back district games. They finish up the week with Middlesboro on Friday in another district matchup. Trent Noah and Maddox Huff are pacing HC on the season with 29.4 and 17.6 points per game respectively. Maddox Huff just received an offer from EKU. 

2. Corbin (10-4)
Corbin also didn’t play any games this week but their district games have been rescheduled. For this week, they play Berea tomorrow in the Hometown Bank Classic, Williamsburg on the road Tuesday, and wrap up the week with Whitley County at home on Friday. A big week for the Redhounds in terms of district seeding. Corbin is led by a balanced scoring attack of Eli Pietrowski (13.5), Zander Curry (12.1), Trey Worley (10.4), Carter Stewart (9.2), Connor Middleton (9.1),  and Ryder Adkins (8.2).

3. South Laurel (10-5)
The Cardinals needed this time off probably more than anybody in hopes that Jordan Mabe is back ASAP. For this week, we are looking at South hosting Whitley at home in a big time district matchup. A loss here would likely knock South out of being able to fight back for the top seed. The Cardinals will wrap the week up against cross town rival North Laurel on Friday. South Laurel is led in scoring on the year by Jordan Mabe (17.9) and Colton Rawlings (16.2).

4. Bell County (16-2)
The Bobcats have a big week ahead of them for district seeding purposes. They host Middlesboro tomorrow, and then go to Harlan County on Tuesday. If they have any hopes of snagging the one seed, they’re going to have to pull the upset on Tuesday. They finish up the week playing Ryle in Knightstown IN the Hoosier Gym. Bell is led on the year by Cameron Hall (19.7), Blake Burnett (18.2), and Ethan Buell (13.9). 

5. North Laurel (6-10)
The Jaguars have two big games this week as they travel to Clay County on Thursday in a rematch of a district game, then they play South Laurel at home on Friday in the crosstown rivalry game. If they can win both of these games, it should jumpstart them to finishing out the year strong. North is led on the year by Reece Davidson (16.0), Brody Brock (14.8), and Jordan Rawlings (11.1). 

6. Clay County (9-7)
Clay has a difficult week ahead as they host Pulaski County on Tuesday, and then North Laurel on Thursday. They go to Rockcastle on Friday to play in the Rocket Classic as they find their opponent out on a later date. Clay is being led in scoring on the year by Hayden Harris (14.9), Jerrod Roark (11.6), and Elijah Bundy (11.5). Stability is what this Clay team needs. 

7. Knox Central (12-5)
Knox is the first team so far that doesn’t have district games this week. Knox will play Southwestern at home tomorrow, and then Bourbon County at home on Thursday. They will also go to the Rocket Classic on Friday and they will open up play with the host Rockcastle. The Panthers are led on the year by Gavin Chadwell (20.5 and 16.1), Grayson Burton (14.8), and Austin Bargo (12.3). 

8. Williamsburg (10-8)
Williamsburg was coming off a flaming hot week so let's hope the snow and the time off didn’t cool them down. The Yellow Jackets will go to Jackson City tomorrow before hosting Corbin on Tuesday. Thursday, Williamsburg will begin the All A State Tournament being hosted at The Arena in Corbin against Murray at 6:30. The Burg is being led by Henry Bowling (16.7) and Andrew Smith (16.6).

9. Whitley County (13-3)
Whitley has a big week for district seeding as they travel to South Laurel on Tuesday, and then go to Corbin on Friday. They also finish the week by hosting Cordia on Saturday. The Colonels can shoot back up the rankings if they can go out and win both district games, but they have their work cut out for them. The Colonels are being led on the year by Evan Ellis (16.4) and Danny Ellis (12.2).

10. Harlan (4-10)
Harlan only has one game this week but it’s a big one as they go to Harlan County. They managed to play them close last year, but have lost a lot of talent from last year's squad. The Green Dragons are led by Kyler McLendon who is scoring 29 per game, and Trenton Cole who is right at 11.5 per game. 

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)

As always good stuff. My opinion is 3 and 4 need swapped. Without Mabe SL is a significantly lesser team reflected by the 4 straight losses without him and he will not be back until tourney time if very lucky and although Wburg is hot of late still not buying their stock just yet. Appreciate your opinion.

Bump.

Clay Co. has to be the most disappointing team in this region, correct?  They got drilled last night at home by Pulaski Co.  Seems like they can't find any continuity. 

10 minutes ago, LethalPG said:

Clay Co. has to be the most disappointing team in this region, correct?  They got drilled last night at home by Pulaski Co.  Seems like they can't find any continuity. 

To many individuals playing for themselves and no one willing to sacrifice for the team. Personally they are the biggest disappointments in the region and considering that players are still quitting and returning I don’t think they will get it fixed. Just my thoughts 

6 minutes ago, Waterboy70 said:

To many individuals playing for themselves and no one willing to sacrifice for the team. Personally they are the biggest disappointments in the region and considering that players are still quitting and returning I don’t think they will get it fixed. Just my thoughts 

Yep after that drubbing last night I think you're right. 

Then Clay turns around and knocks off North tonight. I know North isn’t world beaters, but this was a game I expected North to win. 

8 hours ago, DearToday said:

Then Clay turns around and knocks off North tonight. I know North isn’t world beaters, but this was a game I expected North to win. 

Honestly I thought Clay have won this game walking away…..and they did in the first half then fell apart in the 2nd. NL has zero inside presence and Clay exploited it early. NL strength is perimeter and guard play and it finally showed late in the game. Verdict is out on which team would win on a neutral floor but neither will be a factor at region in my opinion 

56 minutes ago, Waterboy70 said:

Honestly I thought Clay have won this game walking away…..and they did in the first half then fell apart in the 2nd. NL has zero inside presence and Clay exploited it early. NL strength is perimeter and guard play and it finally showed late in the game. Verdict is out on which team would win on a neutral floor but neither will be a factor at region in my opinion 

Agreed.