Boys Top 5

 

1. South Laurel (18-5)

What’s the scoop: After a bad week of practice and playing games, coach Steve Wright hopes his South Laurel Cardinals can get back on track.

The Cardinals’ past two wins ( a 61-55 win over Casey County and a 66-54 win over North Laurel) wasn’t too convincing against teams that have been on the downside the past couple of weeks, but hey, at least South Laurel is winning.

South Laurel has won eight games in a row and remains undefeated against 13th Region teams at 9-0.

The other positive note is the fact the Cardinals will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming 50th District Tournament.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Cardinals’ slim 12-point margin of victory over a reeling North Laurel team was very surprising to say the least, but it was against a rival team and the Jaguars turned in a solid effort.

Wright knew entering the game that his team hadn’t been playing too well during the past week.

Matter of fact, he admitted that stretch of games might have the worst two-game stretch of basketball his team has played in a LONG time.

“We were able to finish it (the game) off and that’s something positive,” he said. “This has been the worst week of basketball that we’ve played in a while.

“I saw it in practices this week, I saw it in the two road games we’ve had and we also had a bad week lifting weights,” he added. “We’re out of rhythm and you know, I’ve said this before, we get everybody’s best game. North Laurel came into the game with the mentality that they had nothing to lose and to their credit, they played a good game.”

Another positive note: The win over North Laurel was the Cardinals’ 11th in a row over the Jaguars and South Laurel leads the overall series, 37-6.

Now, that’s impressive.

 

What’s ahead: South Laurel will travel to Somerset Friday and will host Boyle County Feb. 15.

 

2. Bell County (19-4)

What’s the scoop: Bell County is continuing to look solid in the rankings and is only an eight-point underdog to South Laurel, if you go by the Cantrall Ratings.

The Bobcats are winners of five straight and look like they’re hitting stride at the right time.

 

Surprise, surprise: Senior guard Ryan Whitaker continued his impressive senior campaign by scoring 27 points in Bell County’s 81-57 win over rival Middlesboro Tuesday. The win was the Bobcats’ fifth in a row against their rivals.

Bell County almost had a small hiccup last week against district foe Harlan. Granted, the Bobcats won, but it wasn’t easy, as the final score indicated with Bell County winning, 55-52.

 

What’s ahead: The Bobcats will be tested during their next four games. Bell County will travel to Cumberland Friday before hosting Knox Central on Feb. 16

 

3. Clay County (16-4)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers are quietly putting together an unexpected solid season. Kevin Spurlock’s squad is a team that not a lot of people want to play come March.

 

Surprise, surprise: Clay County picked up two solid wins this past week by knocking off Leslie County 67-58, while defeating South Floyd, 102-58.

The Tigers are getting solid efforts from both their starters and role players and that’s just making Clay County a stronger team.

 

What’s ahead: The Tigers will be tested this week with a road game against Lexington Catholic Friday and a home contest against Lynn Camp on Feb. 13.

 

4. Corbin (15-6)

What’s the scoop: The Redhounds are putting together a solid run, but we’re going to see just how good Tony Pietrowski’s squad with back-to-back games against Pineville and Cumberland.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Redhounds struggled at times against Williamsburg during Corbin’s 73-53 win last week. Everyone knows those struggles can’t continue against teams such as the Mountain Lions and Redskins.

Corbin has a chance to make a statement this week with wins over two solid teams in the 13th Region or Pietrowski’s squad could take a step back.

 

What’s ahead: Like I said earlier, the Redhounds will be tested Friday with a road game against Pineville and Corbin will be back in action the following day in a 6:30 p.m. tip-off against a solid Cumberland squad.

 

5. Cumberland (17-4)

What’s the scoop: The Redskins make a return trip to the Top 5 and could easily be ranked as high as the No. 3 team. Since the season started, I’ve stated I haven’t been too impressed with the Redskins, but you have to give credit where credit is due.

Cumberland is one of the best defensive teams in the 13th Region, has the second best record in the region, while compiling an impressive 11-2 mark against 13th Region competition.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Redskins’ first appearance in the Class ‘A’ All State Tournament since 1991 turned into a positive one, despite falling to Hazard in the quarterfinals, 35-34. Senior guard Kyle Simpson scored 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor.

 

An 11-2 run in the third quarter by Hazard ruined any chances of a Cumberland win. The Redskins did fight back and actually led 35-32 with three minutes left in regulation, but couldn’t seal the victory.

If Cumberland can come away with a win against No. 2 Bell County Friday and a win against No. 4 Corbin Saturday, look for the Redskins to be the new No. 2 in the ratings.

 

What’s ahead: Cumberland hosts Bell County Friday and will travel to Corbin Saturday.

 

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Barbourville (13-7)

What’s the scoop: Dinky Phipps’ squad is a dangerous team. This season might be one of his best coaching jobs in a long time.

 

No. 7 Knox Central (10-10)

What’s the scoop: The Panthers are losers of three of their last four games and Brandon Elam’s squad needs to start playing better or Knox Central will be one-and-done come district tourney time.

 

No. 8 Lynn Camp (11-9)

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

Lynn Camp has pulled out come-from-behind wins after trailing by 18 to Jackson County and 24 points to Whitley County. Not to mention a 15-point comeback win over Wayne County and Tuesday’s 16-point deficit against the Yellow Jackets.

 

No. 9 Jackson County (10-13)

What’s the scoop: The Generals have been off since Jan. 30.

 

No. 10 Pineville (9-10)

What’s the scoop: Pineville has won four-of-five, but the only impressive win during that stretch was against Lynn Camp.

Girls Top 5

 

1. Clay County (19-4)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Tigers saw their 14-game win streak come to an end a couple of weeks ago, but that doesn’t mean Clay County isn’t the team to beat in the 13th Region.

 

Surprise, surprise: Clay County hasn’t played a game since its loss to Magoffin County on Jan. 29, so James Burchell’s squad will be ready to go when the Lady Tigers travel to Lexington Catholic on Friday.

 

What’s ahead: The Lady Tigers play Lexington Catholic Friday on the road and will host Bell County Feb. 13.

 

2. South Laurel (18-7)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Cardinals have shown me they are serious contenders to unseat Clay County as the defending 13th Region champions.

 

Surprise, surprise: South Laurel turned in an impressive showing against No. 10 Elizabethtown on the road before losing, 71-60.

The Lady Cardinals continue to improve at the right time and one reason is because of the play of freshman Jessica Dean. Dean is a rising star in the 13th Region.

 

What’s ahead: South Laurel will travel to play Perry Central Feb. 17 before its showdown with Clay County in Manchester Feb. 19.

 

3. Corbin (16-6)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Redhounds are looking good at the present time and will only get better as the season progresses. Corbin has put together an impressive six-game win streak.

 

Surprise, surprise: I really like the way Kelci Jones is coming along. She has good size and is becoming a force in the paint. Brittany Jackson and Mikkah Johnson are beginning to peak at the right time.

 

What’s ahead: Corbin will travel to Wayne County Friday before hosting Rockcastle County Feb. 13.

 

4. Whitley County (15-7)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Colonels are winners of two straight, but they just don’t seem to be peaking at the present time.

 

Surprise, surprise: Whitley County is 8-6 since starting the season with a 7-1 start.

 

What’s ahead: Whitley County will travel to Jackson County Feb. 12 and host Middlesboro Feb. 13

 

5. Knox Central (12-12)

What’s the scoop: Despite going 2-4 during its last six games, Knox Central is still a dangerous team.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Lady Panthers played both South Laurel and Whitley County tight on the road before losing this past week.

 

What’s ahead: Knox Central hosts McCreary Central Saturday and will host Harlan Feb. 16.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Harlan (15-7)

What’s the scoop: Who has the most wins against 13th Region teams? Harlan, of course. The Lady Green Dragons are 14-4 against 13th Region competition.

 

No. 7 North Laurel (13-8)

What’s the scoop: The loss of Catie Jackson hurts.

 

No. 8 Cumberland (11-9)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Redskins move up two more spots.

 

No. 9 Bell County (10-13)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Bobcats are struggling.

 

No. 10 Jackson Co. (11-11)

What’s the scoop: Look above.

bump ...

Looks pretty good to me.

how can Clay not be #2

I'd go with Harlan or Cawood instead of Lynn Camp, but nine out of 10 ain't bad.

That's probably because you live in Harlan. It seems like every time Les posts his rankings your out to bash Lynn Camp. How many times this year have you seen them play? Lynn Camp has played a good schedule. Granted their defense needs to improve, yet they lead the region in scoring. They play hard and their exciting to watch. So whats your problem?

how can Clay not be #2

 

 

My rankings aren't always based on wh o beat who ...they're based on who is playing good at the presnt time. On a neutral court, I'd go with Bell.

I'd go with Harlan or Cawood instead of Lynn Camp, but nine out of 10 ain't bad.

 

 

Thank you very much.

Les

Bump ...

That's probably because you live in Harlan. It seems like every time Les posts his rankings your out to bash Lynn Camp. How many times this year have you seen them play? Lynn Camp has played a good schedule. Granted their defense needs to improve, yet they lead the region in scoring. They play hard and their exciting to watch. So whats your problem?

 

 

I saw them play at Evarts.

 

I wouldn't call it a problem. I said I'd pick Harlan or Cawood ahead of Lynn Camp. How did I "bash" Lynn Camp.

bump ...

I saw them play at Evarts.

 

I wouldn't call it a problem. I said I'd pick Harlan or Cawood ahead of Lynn Camp. How did I "bash" Lynn Camp.

I don't think you bashed LC, just stated your what you thought, I believe LC and Harlan play in a couple of weeks we can see then which is better. Are any schools looking at John Smith from Harlan. Should be a shootout between him and Bargo from LC.

bump ...

I guess I am dumb! What does it mean when you ( bump...)

No, you're not dumb. It just means I'm trying to keep the thread at the top of the page.