Girls Top 5

 

1. Clay County (18-3)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Tigers are winners of 13 straight and continue to show they’re the best team in the 13th Region with its region-best win streak.

 

Surprise, surprise: Clay County flexed its muscles by disposing of Whitley County 56-39 this past week. The Lady Tigers have a lot of weapons and look to be a hard team to beat come March.

 

What’s ahead: The Lady Tigers will travel to Clay County Friday and hit the road again Monday against Magoffin County.

 

2. South Laurel (14-6)

What’s the scoop: It looks as if the South Laurel Lady Cardinals are beginning to hit stride. South Laurel has won six of its last seven games and 10 of its last 12 - including an impressive 77-42 win over Jackson County Monday.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Lady Cardinals picked up a big win over Corbin this past week, winning 65-50. Makenzie McWhorter continues to give South Laurel solid play and I can’t forget about Jessica Dean on defense. She continues to give the Lady Cardinals quality minutes off the bench.

 

What’s ahead: South Laurel will travel to play Bell County Friday and host Knox Central Monday.

 

3. Whitley County (13-7)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Colonels need to get things back on track after losing their second game in a row on Monday.

 

Surprise, surprise: Whitley County struggled against top-ranked Clay County and needs to get back to how it played at the beginning of the season.

The Lady Colonels play six of their next eight games at home.

 

What’s ahead: Larry Anderson’s squad will host Lynn Camp Thursday and won’t be back in action until Feb. 2 against Southwestern.

 

4. Corbin (13-6)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Redhounds look like they have recovered from their recent two-game skid by winning three games in a row.

 

Surprise, surprise: Corbin’s squad has been battling the injury-bug the past couple of weeks, but the Lady Redhounds have begun to hit stride with its recent three-game win streak.

 

What’s ahead: Corbin will host North Laurel Friday and travel to Jackson County Monday.

 

5. North Laurel (12-6)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Jaguars are back in the Top 5, but need to be more consistent to get ranked higher.

 

Surprise, surprise: Roy Bowling’s squad is coming off an impressive 60-46 win over Middlesboro and looks to continue its solid play this week on the road against Corbin.

The two teams hooked up in an interesting game last year in the 13th Region Tournament with the Lady Redhounds coming out on top.

 

What’s ahead: North Laurel will travel to Corbin Friday in a tough contest and it doesn’t get any easier with Tuesday’s home game against Lincoln County and then comes a game against rival South Laurel.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Knox Central (11-9)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Panthers had a 55-44 setback earlier in the week against Bell County, but came away with an impressive 84-58 win over Cawood Tuesday.

 

No. 7 Harlan (11-6)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Green Dragons are winners of five straight.

 

No. 8 Jackson County (10-8)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Generals beat Bell County at home, but were blown out by 35 points by South Laurel.

 

No. 9 Bell County (9-10)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Bobcats picked up a big win against Knox Central.

 

No. 10 Cumberland (10-9)

What’s the scoop: Welcome to the Top 10 Lady Redskins.

 

Les Dixon is the Sports Editor and can be reached at [email protected]. The Fear ‘Les’ 13th Region boys and girls ratings will be published in every Thursday edition of the Times-Tribune.

I am glad to see both Harlan and Cumberland in there. They are both good teams who deserve some recognition. South is getting on a roll and may be able to challenge Clay come region time.