Boys Top 5

 

1. South Laurel (15-5)

What’s the scoop: Steve Wright’s South Laurel Cardinals wrapped up the toughest part of their schedule this past week by winning four games in seven days against top-notch competition.

South Laurel had wins over two Top 20 teams last week, along with a one-point win against Paintsville and a seven-point win against Corbin, which wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the 50th District for the Cardinals.

Wright’s squad also showed that it can pull out a win despite having one of the ‘Big Three’ on the bench for close to 17 minutes in the first half.

The win allowed South Laurel to capture its 26th win, in a row over 13th Region teams and fifth in a row against Corbin.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Cardinals got big contributions from Casey Hamm, Matt St. John and Jordan Bortnem against the Redhounds Tuesday.

St. John (who is a freshman) is becoming a solid player in the paint for the Cardinals. He had four points, 10 rebounds and one blocked shot against Corbin, while Hamm scored nine points and Bortnem scored seven of his 10 points in the game’s final eight minutes.

If South Laurel continues to get solid bench play, the Cardinals will be tough to beat.

 

What’s ahead: South Laurel will host Williamsburg Saturday before traveling to play Casey County Tuesday.

 

2. Clay County (13-4)

What’s the scoop: You just can’t keep a good team down, can you?

Many had wrote Clay County off before the season began, but Kevin Spurlock’s squad is quietly becoming a contender in the 13th Region.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Tigers surprised many with their 57-56 overtime win over Bell County Tuesday. Not only is Clay County the team to beat in the 49th District, but the Tigers will make some noise come regional tourney time, too. You have to give props to Justin Hobbs, who hit the game-winning shot against the Bobcats.

 

What’s ahead: The Tigers have two tough road games ahead. Clay County’s match-up with No. 4 Knox Central should be an interesting game between two up-and-coming teams in the region. On Tuesday, Kevin Spurlock’s squad will travel and play Leslie County.

 

3. Bell County (14-3)

What’s the scoop: The Bobcats could very easily be undefeated at 17-0 on the season. Bell County’s three losses have been by three points and only one point apiece in its other two setbacks.

Not bad at all.

 

Surprise, surprise: I was surprised Bell County lost on the road at Clay County, but I also know it’s hard to win in Clay County, too.

The Bobcats have no time to think about the loss to the Tigers because a match-up with No. 1 Scott County is only a couple of days ahead.

 

What’s ahead: Bell County will play in the Toyota Classic Saturday against top-ranked Scott County and will be back in action Tuesday against Cawood.

 

4. Knox Central (9-7)

What’s the scoop: Knox Central showed no signs of ill-effects after its week-long layoff win over Corbin.

The Panthers captured their fourth win in five games by defeating Cawood on the road Tuesday, 75-72.

The win improved Brandon Elam’s team to 4-6 on the road.

 

Surprise, surprise: Knox Central is another team in the 13th Region that’s beginning to hit stride. The Panthers are getting solid team play, making Brandon Elam’s squad one of the hottest teams in the region at the present time.

Jacob Scalf scored 19 points to lead the way against Cawood, while Cody Miller turned in a solid 17-point effort. Tony Mills had 13 and Chad Messer keeps coming off the bench to provide a spark for the Panthers. He finished with three 3-pointers and 11 points total.

 

What’s ahead: The Panthers will host No. 2 Clay County Friday in a BIG 13th Region match-up. Elam’s squad will be back in action Monday on the road against Middlesboro.

 

5. Corbin (12-6)

What’s the scoop: Corbin has lost two of its last three games, but the Redhounds come away with a lot of positives from their 67-60 loss to No. 1 South Laurel Tuesday.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Redhounds led by six points going into the third quarter at South Laurel, but once again, Corbin’s old nemesis, Jordan Hammonds, scored 20 second half points to lead South Laurel past the Redhounds by seven points.

The Redhounds have an important stretch of home games beginning Friday against Jackson County.

Corbin has nine regular season games left with only two games remaining on the road.

 

What’s ahead: The Redhounds will host Jackson County Friday and will be back at home Tuesday against North Laurel.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Cumberland (13-3)

What’s the scoop: The Redskins are winners of two straight and look to be the front-runners for the 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic title.

 

No. 7 Barbourville (9-6)

What’s the scoop: Dinky Phipps’ squad has won five games in a row - including Tuesday’s 69-67 overtime win over Pineville. By season’s end, this could be a very dangerous team to play.

 

No. 8 Lynn Camp (9-8)

What’s the scoop: The Wildcats let a win slip away against Pineville, but Anthony Pennington’s team managed to beat up-and-down Jackson County on the road.

 

No. 9 Jackson County (9-12)

What’s the scoop: The Generals are 2-6 dating back to Dec. 30, but Jackson County has a solid 6-2 mark against 13th Region teams this season.

 

No. 10 Pineville (7-10)

What’s the scoop: The Mountain Lions are back in the Top 10, slipping past North Laurel, Middlesboro and Whitley County in the rankings. North Laurel could have remained at the No. 10 spot, but the Jaguars dropped a 71-62 decision to the Colonels. The loss was North Laurel’s fourth in a row.

bump

^^^

Wright’s squad also showed that it can pull out a win despite having one of the ‘Big Three’ on the bench for close to 17 minutes in the first half.

 

You do know that there is only 16 minutes in a half, don't you?

Oops, I meant 13 ... kind of surprised you knew actually

Why say something like that? Your credibility with me has all but vanished.

Dude, that as a joke didn't ya see the smiley face?

Oh.. so the comment about McCreary is a continued part of your "joke?"

No, the comment about McCreary Central is true ... Coach Jones squad had high expectations going into the season, but they haven't met them at all, but then again, there is tourney time to turn things around. I didn't intend to offend you or McCreary Central. Just stating my opinion.

Yep HOunds could easily be Number 2 .....more consistancy is the key but that is expected from a very young team. Hounds are gonna be Dangerous come tourney time!

Les, congratulations on all the KPA awards you guys won.

 

2006 was a good year for The Times Tribune!

Bell has rebounded well from the loss to Clay. And that loss was in OT at Clay. Thats not good odds for anyone.

After they lost to Scott Co (which is undefeated in-state) they beat an okay Dixie Heights team and the # 1 team in the 8th region, Simon Kenton. I still think they are the 2nd best team in the region.

Les, congratulations on all the KPA awards you guys won.

 

2006 was a good year for The Times Tribune!

 

 

4CHS,

Thank you very much for that. I do appreciate it. Winning best Sports Page/Section in our class is something big and it hadn't been done by a daily paper in SE Kentucky since 2002 ... I believe I'm right on that ... but if it wasn't for the hard work Chris Parsons, Jimbo Collins, Darrin Spencer, Bill Hanson and ect. put into the paper, we wouldn't have won a thing.

Thanks again.