Boys Top 5

 

1. South Laurel (17-5)

What’s the scoop: Things are good in Cardinal Country, right?

Maybe not.

The South Laurel Cardinals are winners of seven straight, wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the 50th District and haven’t lost a game to a 13th Region team dating back to 2004.

But, yes, this is a big but, things don’t seem right at South Laurel this season. I can’t put my finger on it just yet, but it seems as if the South Laurel players seem bored, and if that’s the case, I’m sure coach Steve Wright will get their attention and have them ready for their game against North Laurel Friday.

 

Surprise, surprise: I was surprised to see South Laurel only managed to beat Casey County 61-55 Tuesday. The Rebels are only 8-15 on the season and maybe Wright said it best about his team after the slim win.

“We just didn’t come focused and it almost cost us,” he said. “I will admit we have some big games coming up, but that’s no excuse to play the way we did. I guess the guys just didn’t think this game was very important and it showed in their play.

“We just have to get our heads right before the game starts,” Wright added. “When the ball is tipped, it’s too late to think about that stuff and there’s really nothing you can do.”

The gap isn’t as big as it was last year in the 13th Region and remember, Barbourville only lost by one point to South Laurel in the region finals.

With the way Bell County, Corbin, Clay County and Cumberland are playing, the Cardinals need to get focused and ready come tournament time.

 

What’s ahead: South Laurel will travel to North Laurel Friday before hosting one of the top teams in the 12th Region, Boyle County, Feb. 6.

 

2. Bell County (17-4)

What’s the scoop: Yep, I know, the Bobcats dropped a game a couple of weeks ago at Clay County and now, somehow, they jumped over the Tigers to reclaim the No. 2 ranking.

Let me explain myself, Bell County is athletic and very talented and you have to take the Bobcats serious after their 2-1 record in the Toyota Classic.

Eddie Whitaker’s squad beat Dixie Heights and a very-good Simon Kenton squad, while losing to top-ranked Scott County, 78-52.

 

Surprise, surprise: Don’t be surprised to see Bell County make a serious run at the 13th Region title, if South Laurel continues to play like it has been playing.

The Bobcats knocked off Cawood by 20 points Tuesday and their win streak now stands at three games in a row.

 

What’s ahead: Bell County travels to Harlan Friday and will host Middlesboro Feb. 6.

 

3. Clay County (15-4)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers are winners of three straight, which includes an impressive 67-58 road win against Knox Central.

Despite the wins, Clay County drops a spot mostly because Bell County seems to be playing pretty good right now.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Tigers are only one of three teams that haven’t lost more than one game to a 13th Region opponent.

Clay County is 7-1 in 13th Region play, while Bell County is 10-1 and South Laurel is undefeated at 9-0.

 

What’s ahead: The Tigers will host South Floyd Saturday and Pineville Feb. 6.

 

4. Corbin (14-6)

What’s the scoop: The Redhounds moved up a spot to No. 4 and could easily be No. 3 with the way they are playing right now.

Why is Corbin winning?

Probably because of the way three freshmen are playing combined with the play of a sophomore and a junior.

Madison Johnson, Aaron Manns and Isaac Wilson are giving coach Tony Pietrowski quality minutes, while Josh Smith and Deke Barley seem to be coming into their own.

Johnson is coming off the bench to lead the team in scoring, while Barley scored 11 of his 15 points in the first quarter during Tuesday’s home win over North Laurel.

The key player is Smith. He’s giving Corbin a good option at handling the ball at times, while also being a threat to shoot from both the outside and inside. He’s turning into a dangerous player.

 

Surprise, surprise: I don’t know when the last time Josh Crawford didn’t record a single field goal, but it happened Tuesday against North Laurel and the Redhounds still won by 28 points.

Crawford connected on 0-of-3 shot attempts, but had more than 10 assists in the win. I’m telling you right now, if Corbin continues to play like it has the past couple of weeks, then its going to be a dangerous team come post-season time.

 

What’s ahead: The Redhounds will host Williamsburg Friday and won’t be back in action again until Feb. 9 on the road against Pineville.

 

5. Knox Central (10-8)

What’s the scoop: The Panthers dropped a spot after going 1-1 during the past week. Knox Central is dangerous, but still needs to find a bit more consistency.

 

Surprise, surprise: Cody Miller continues to show his dominance as a player by scoring 28 points in the Panthers’ 62-52 win against Middlesboro Monday.

 

What’s ahead: Knox Central will travel to play Wayne County Friday and Whitley County Feb. 6.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Cumberland (16-3)

What’s the scoop: The Redskins are 13 games above .500, but I’m still not convinced they are one of the top teams in the region. The telling games could come on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10 with back-to-back games against Bell County and Corbin.

 

No. 7 Barbourville (12-7)

What’s the scoop: Take away a last-second shot from Cumberland and the Tigers could be representing the 13th Region in the All ‘A’ State Tournament again.

 

No. 8 Lynn Camp (10-8)

What’s the scoop: The “Comeback Cats” picked up another miraculous come from behind win by defeating Wayne County Tuesday.

Lynn Camp has pulled out come-from-behind wins after trailing by 18 to Jackson County and 24 points to Whitley County and now you can add a 15-point deficit the Wildcats overcame against Wayne County to the Wildcats’ comeback resume.

 

No. 9 Jackson County (10-13)

What’s the scoop: The Generals’ inconsistent play continued this past week. Jackson County managed to knock off Whitley County 60-45 Tuesday.

 

No. 10 Pineville (7-10)

What’s the scoop: Pineville remains at the 10-spot after knocking off Red Bird Tuesday, 92-57.

i also think Corbin is truly a better team than knox, but you know you just have to let a win speak for itself... Clay should be 2nd and Knox should be 4th....

You have to take in to where the games were played, too.

Clay won by one at home in overtime over Bell. I'd still put Bell second.

Thank ya very much, HDE.

Cumberland just got a solid win over Owensboro Catholic in the All A. I didn't get the exact score but the person I spoke to said it was 60 something to 40 something. Good win for the Skins.

 

I like the rankings! As they are every week, 2-6 can flip flop and be legit rankings but again, I think Les is spot on.

a Win is a win is all I can say.... But I sorda agree 2-5 could flip around on any given night...

Les I hate to agree with you but this is probably as close to getting it right as any of us other experts could get. 5 thru 10 would probably be toss up games. 2 thru 4 is also very close. I believe that Corbin has taken a leep forward and would give Bell all they want. The close game with South has given them confidence and energized them. South is still clearly #1 but they had better not look other their shoulder because there are several teams closing the gap.

Hate to agree with me? You hate me that much? Just kidding. Anyway, I agree with what you said, too.

Also, Cumberland did get a big win over O. Catholic, but check Catholic's record out ... they're not world beaters, but good win fopr the Skins.

It was a GREAT GAME by Cumberland!!!!

Good win skins

If the Skins beat Hazard tomorrow, what time would they play on Saturday? A potential Cumberland/Paintsville matchup would be nice to head up and watch.

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