Week 9 is in the books! Bell had the win of the week knocking off region favorite Harlan County. But it seems like every week we have a new region favorite, so maybe the top spot is cursed. Corbin looked like they were turning a page to compete for the top spot, but South Laurel strapped them to 35 and blew them out at home. There are some big time games this week, and the top spots will continue to battle. Some of the other middle of the road teams play each other so it will also sort itself out. One plays two, four plays five, six plays seven, eight plays nine. Hopefully next week's rankings are pretty cut and dry. Here are your week 9 rankings. 

 

Week 9 Rankings:

1. Bell County (19-4): And a new team has risen to the top! Bell County started the week off hot with a 14 point win over Harlan County to avenge a previous loss in the 2A. Bell has now won seven straight. Blake Burnett went off on this one putting up 29 points, and Ethan Buell added 19. There were no let downs as they beat Middlesboro by 59 and Knoxville Ambassadors by 83 in their next two games. They have a busy week coming with Perry County Central Monday, a rematch with Harlan County on the road Tuesday, and Knox Central on Friday. With a win Tuesday Bell will wrap up the 1 seed in the district. The Bobcats have been a great story this season. 

2. Harlan County (17-6): The Black Bears were knocked from their top spot with a 14 point loss to district rival Bell County to start the week. Maddox Huff had a monster game with 31 on 64% from the field. However, the rest of the crew had an off game. Brody Napier was uncharacteristically held to zero. They did bounce back with a 23 point win over Scott County in the Gem City Classic. They get a chance to avenge their loss with a game at home against Bell on Tuesday. They will also end the week with Middlesboro on Friday, and Frederick Douglass on Saturday. 

3. South Laurel (15-6): Three and four get to flip flop again this week. South started the week off with a tight win over Whitley County by 11. Mabe scored 28 in the win and went for an amazing 20-21 from the line. Colton Rawlings added in 13. After losing to Corbin by 14 earlier in the month, South rebounded with a 21 point win to protect home court while holding Corbin to just 35 points in the win. They then beat Bourbon County at WoFo in the Ed Stepp Classic to finish the week. South plays Williamsburg at home on Tuesday, then Woodford at Lafayette on Saturday to round out the week. 

4. Corbin (13-7): The Redhounds had a great start to the week with a 12 point win at Somerset, then a 38 point win over Williamsburg. They were led by a big three against Somerset with Ryder Akins putting up 19, Connor Middleton 16, and Eli P with 15. Things were shaping up for a great week till they had to go to South Laurel. South held the Redhounds 14 points under their previous season low as they could only muster up 35 in the loss. They then also dropped a 5 point game in OT against Evangel Christian in another head scratcher. They have no time to lick their wounds as the week will stay busy with Barbourville Monday, Whitley County Tuesday, and North Laurel on the road Thursday. 

5. North Laurel (13-6): The Jaguars had a decent week going 1-1. I got to be in attendance with their game against Boyle that they won by 3. There were times it looked like they’d run away with it, but they managed to hold on in the end. Davidson is a really nice player, and when he was aggressive he was able to get what he wanted. North played hard. North finished their week with a 7 point loss tonight to Trinity. This week, North plays Madison Central Tuesday, Corbin on Thursday, and Jackson County on Friday. 

6. Clay County (15-4): Clay bounced back from their loss to North with two wins on the week. They first was a 55 point beat down against Middlesboro, and the next was a 20 point win over Leslie County. 13 different players scored against Middlesboro, which is something you want to see in a win like that. Even though the Leslie score was closer, ten players scored in that one. Games like this pay dividends for the young guys down the road. Clay plays Jackson County, Knox Central, and Barbourville this coming week. 

7. Knox Central (15-5): The Panthers did a great job starting the week. They put up 98 and knocked off PIneville by 14. Grayson Burton went off for 35, Tydus Summers added in 27, and Evan Hubbard had 14. Hayden Melton had 13 boards and Grayson Burton had 9. They also knocked off Lynn Camp by 51 on Friday. They lost their game to Tri-Cities Christian Academy TN by 9. I’m not sure how good they are. Knox has a big game with Clay County on Tuesday, and Bell County on Friday. If they could grab one of them, that would be huge. 

8. Pineville (15-7): Pineville could have made a statement with a win against Knox, but they dropped it by 14 and couldn’t get much going on defense. Thompson, Beck, and Moser combined for 78 of their 84. They all three shot fairly well too, but Pineville will have to guard better if they’re going to make a run to win district. They did finish the week up with a 19 point win over Belfry at home. The Mountain Lions will be in action this week with Jackson County, and Whitley County. 

9. Whitley County (15--7): The Colonels went 2-1 on the week. They played South Laurel tough before eventually falling by 11 early in the week. They were led by two freshmen in Bryson Mahan and Riley Fuson who had 19 and 16. This shows the future is bright, as long as they can hold onto their young pieces. They did bounce back nicely with an 8 point win over Williamsburg, and a 21 point win over Owsley County. Whitley will try to make waves this week as they play Corbin and Pineville, with both games on the road. 

10. Barbourville (12-8): The Tigers went 1-1 on the week. They played Lynn Camp to begin the week and won that one big by 26. Nine players got in the scoring column, with seniors Jasper Hubbs and Riley Corey scoring the most with 16 a piece. They dropped their late week game against Berea by 10. The Tigers will be in action with Corbin, Clay COunty, and Buckhorn this week. 

11. Williamsburg (12-7): The Yellow Jackets went 0-2 on the week with losses to Corbin and Whitley County. They’ll be back in action this week with South Laurel, Knoxville Ambassadors TN, and Ligon Cogo KY homeschool. 

12. Jackson County (10-10): The Generals went 2-1 on the week with wins over Red Bird and Casey County, but a loss to Bourbon County. They play Clay County, Pineville, North Laurel, and Jenkins this week. 

13. OBI (10-11): The Mountaineers went 1-2 this week with losses to North Laurel and Jackson County, but a win over Red Bird. This week they play Buckhorn and Leslie County. 

14. Harlan (3-18): The Green Dragons were off this week. They play Middlesboro, Knott County Central, and Lee High VA this week.  

15. Middlesboro (6-11): The Yellowjackets went 2-2 on the week with wins over Red Bird and June Buchanan. THey lost to Clay County and Bell County big. This week they play Harlan, J. Frank White Academy, Harlan County, and Knoxville Ambassadors. 

16. Lynn Camp (4-17): The Campers went 0-2 this week with losses to Barbourville and Knox Central. They play Jackson City on Saturday. 

17. Red Bird (0-16): The Cardinals lost to Middlesboro, Jackson County, and OBI this week. They play Owsley County, Jackson City, and June Buchanan this week. I’m afraid they may not win one this year.

1 over 2. 
7 over 6. 
9 over 4. 
 

Heck of a Tuesday in the region.