13th Region: Week 4

[DearToday]

Week 4 is in the books! Harlan County had the biggest win this week knocking off Lloyd Memorial in the AIT, but their wheels spun out for the next two. South Laurel is representing the state well down in FL, but somehow they are now playing Pulaski County just 100s of miles away in much better weather. Bell County is showing that they may be a dark horse that will have something to say in the 52nd district and 13th region when it’s all done. The first part of the 2024 season is over and the year is about to be behind us, it’s time to see the schedules get ramped up and see who’s going to start 2025 off right and make a push for the region title! 

 

Week 4 Rankings:

1. South Laurel (6-3): The Cardinals went 1-1 on the week as they went down to FL and played in the Daytona Beach Sunshine Classic. Their first game was an 8 point win over Archbishop Mccarthy FL, and their second game was a double OT loss to Northore LA by 2. Neither of those games have the stats in for them yet, and your guess is as good as mine to how good those teams they played are. However, I’m sure they are quality teams because South is a quality team. The trinity win has a little less luster on it now with how Trinity has been playing lately, but it is still a big win nevertheless. South is still in the sunshine state and they will actually play Pulaski County tonight, what’s the odds of driving that far and playing someone 40 minutes away from you? They’ll wrap the week up with Evangel Christian at home on Friday, and Knox Central at home on Saturday. 

2. Harlan County (8-4): The Black Bears went 1-2 on the week playing in the historical AIT. Their first game was a shown down with Lloyd Memorial who was ranked top five in the state. After being down 7 at the half, Harlan Co came out firing the second half and outscored LM by 16. Maddox Huff had 33 in the game, with 23 of those coming in the second half. Trent Cole added 13, and Brody Napier added 10. However, they would drop the next two games. The first was to AIT Champion Ashland, by 15. The next was to Fleming County, also by 15. There is no time to fret, as Harlan Co will play district foe Harlan on the road Thursday, then Mercer County Friday at South Laurel in the Raymond Reed Classic. 

3. North Laurel (8-4): The Jaguars had their worst week on the year so far going 1-2 and doubling up their losses on the season. They played in the WGM Holiday Touranment. They started off with a nice 7 point win over Butler County. But then they dropped the next two. One a four paint game to DuPont Manual, and the other a 1 point game to Calloway County. They’ve played a solid schedule so far and have to like where they are sitting going into the new year. The Jags have a huge one Friday as they take on Clay County on the road in a big time district showdown.  

4. Bell County (9-3): The Bobcats had a really nice week finishing out the Redmond Auto Group Holiday Classic with a 5 point win on Monday, then playing in the CFIT this past weekend. They beat Christian Academy TN by 5 on Monday, in a game that saw Blake Burnett go for 21 and Ethan Buell for 10. They opened up the CFIT with a commanding 22 point win over Somerset, then a 32 point win over Model. They will play Little Miami OH tonight in the finals of the tournament. The Bobcats will play Antioch TN on Friday to wrap up the week. Bell so far is looking like a dark horse to make a run at the region title. Their game with Harlan County that looms will be a big one. 

5. Corbin (7-4): The Redhounds went 1-1 this week. Bell County held up their end of the bargain as they reached the finals of the CFIT, but Corbin couldn’t do so as they dropped a 10 point game to Little Miami OH which saw them get physically beat. The biggest alarming stat of that game was the fact Corbin went 7-22 from the line. It is hard to win a game when you shoot like that from the line. They did however, win their first game over Lynn Camp which was a 46 point beatdown. Corbin looks to bounce back tonight as they take on Somerset at home in the third place game of the CFIT. They will also travel to Ashland to play them on Friday. If they could go 2-0 this week, that would be a huge week. 

6. Clay County (8-4): The Tigers had a big week going 3-1. Their first, was a win over Lafayette to start the week off by 12. Jerrod Roark put up 19, and Landon Dezarn was close behind with 16. Their next, was a 16 point loss to Western Hills OH which saw Aiden Wagers lead the way with 19. They then bounced back with a 2 point win over St. Louis Miller MO with a 2 point win in OT where Adon Grubb led the way with 24. Their final game was a 34 point win over Todd County Central where Adon Grubb led the way again with 19. It is evident Clay can get scoring from multiple players, but they have to shore up their effort on the defensive side of the ball to make a run. They have one game this week and it’s a huge one as they welcome in North Laurel Friday for a big district game. 

7. Whitley County (11-2): The Colonels have now pushed their win streak out to six games after going 3-0 on the week and winning the BSN Borderline Classic Tournament. They started off with a 23 point win over Todd County Central where Freshman Riley Fuson dominated with 26 points and 5 boards. They then beat Green Valley Christian NV by 31, and finished up with a 4 point win over Gallatin County in OT. Whitley is showing as being off on the schedule for this week, and their next game being in the 2A with Bell County. 

8. Knox Central (8-2): The Panthers had a nice 2-1 record on the week as they push their win total to 8. They started with a 23 point win over McCreary Central where Grayson Burton dominated with 29 points. Burton couldn’t will them over Forsyth Central GA in their next game as he only had 17 and they lost by 8. However, Burton and the Panthers would bounce back in a big way and beat Hartselle AL by 7 in their final game of the week where Burton poured in another 26. They finish up their time in South Walton with one final game tonight as they take on William Blount TN. The Panthers will finish the week with Madison Southern on Friday at the Raymond Reed Classic, and then South Laurel on Saturday on the road. 

9. Pineville (6-4): The Mountain Lions also went 2-1 on the week playing in their own Chain Rock Classic. They opened the tournament up with a 35 point win over Claiborne County TN, but then dropped a 19 point game to McCreary Central. They did finish with a 7 point win over OBI which helps sort these rankings on the back half. OBI had the lead in the fourth before Sawyer Thompson took over and willed Pineville to the win. Pineville plays Red Bird at home on Thursday, before kicking off the 13th Region All A tournament against Williamsburg on Saturday. 

10. OBI (6-6): The Mountaineers had a tough week going 1-2 in the Chain Rock Classic. Their first game was a 15 point setback to McCrery Central, they then bounced back with a 23 point win over Claiborne County TN, but eventually dropped their last game by 7 to Pineville. They led for a lot of the Pineville game before dropping it. Dennis Esemuede led the way for OBI with 12 and Jacob Rogers followed him with 11. OBI plays Cumberland Christian Home School on Thursday, before taking on Harlan on Saturday in the 13th Region All A. 

11. Barbourville (7-4): The Tigers went 2-2 on the week. They beat Belfry and Nicholas County, but dropped games to Marion County and Gallatin County. They will be back in action on Saturday in the 13th Region All A, their opponent at this time is TBA.  

12. Williamsburg (10-1): The Yellow Jackets went 1-0 on the week with a 30 point win over Cumberland Christian Home School. Williamsburg is back in action with Owsley County, Lynn Camp, and Pineville this week. 

13. Jackson County (4-7): The Generals went 1-2 this week with a win over West Carter, and losses to East Ridge TN and Morgan County. They take on Middlesboro on Thursday at home. 

14. Middlesboro (3-7): The Yellow Jackets dropped a game to Marion County and then beat Nicholas County. They play Jackson County on the road Thursday. 

15. Harlan (2-11): The Green Dragons dropped games to Henry Clay, East Jess, PCC, and Powell County this week and none were very close. They play Harlan County on Thursday and OBI in the All A on Saturday. 

16. Lynn Camp (1-11): The Wildcats dropped games to Corbin and Little Miami OH in the CFIT. They play Model, Williamsburg, and Red Bird this week. 

17. Red Bird (0-7): Red Bird was off this week but they play Pineville Thursday and Lynn Camp in the All A on Saturday.