13th Region: Week 3

13th Region Boys Basketball Week 3:

With week 3 in the books we will look and see how it all falls! A lot of teams are playing out of state teams, so we will do the best we can. North Laurel played in the prestigious KOB. Right now it’s shaking up to be a two team.. Possibly three.. Fight for it all. But in the end, we know it’s always anyone's game. As a whole, I’d say the 13th is down this year besides the two at the top. BIG SHOUTOUT TO RED BIRD ON THEIR FIRST WIN SINCE 2024. 

Rankings:

1. Bell County (5-2) - The Bobcats dropped two games this week. They went to TN for the Alpha Invitational. They lost to Dobyns, but followed it up with a win over Tullahoma TN. They’re most impressive game though was a 2 point loss in OT against Dorman SC. Dorman is the second best team in SC according to something I saw on Facebook. I think Bell gets the nod for the top team this week but I think of them and North Laurel as a 1A 1B. This week they’re set to play Grainger TN at home on Friday. 

2. North Laurel (6-3) - Going to drop the Jaguars a spot even though their strength of schedule is a big part of why they’ve dropped three games. This week they went 1-2. They took down Lyon County in dominating fashion, more than doubling them up, winning 67-31. Then they dropped their next two, a 10 point game to Frederick Douglass and a 4 point game to Covington Catholic. This week they only have one game, and it’s against Marshal County in the White, Greer, and Maggard Holiday Classic. 

3. Clay County (6-3) - The Tigers went 1-3 on the week. They beat Whitley County on the road by 6, before going 0-3 in their holiday tournament they played at. They lost by 10, 1, and 3. I’m not sure on any of the teams they played, but it looked like those last two games could’ve gone either way. They look to rebound quickly with Bourbon County on Saturday, as a big district showdown with North Laurel looms the following week. 

4. Whitley County (7-2) - Even though they lost to Clay County to start the week, the Colonels bounced back in a big way going 3-0 to close it out. They knocked off two out of state teams, and then beat LCA by 9. I’m going to go ahead and jump the Colonels over South Laurel right now. Whitley is playing good basketball, and I think they have just as good of a chance as anyone to win the 50th district this year. This week they play Harrison County tonight and that’s it for now. 

5. South Laurel (3-3) - The Cardinals had a better week going 2-1. They stayed in town and dropped their first game of the week at home to Wayne County by 7. They didn’t stay down for long though, as they knocked off Owen County by 21 and Fleming County by 29 in the Legacy Nissan Dribble Drive Challenge. The Cardinals finish that up tonight as they play Russel at home, then go to Bell County Friday to play Hancock County TN. 

6. Corbin (2-4) - The Redhounds continue their rough start of the season. They did go .500 this week. They dropped a 26 point game to Madison Central and a 10 point game to Russell, but did pick up a 14 point win over Berea and a 31 point win over East Jessamine. If they’re relying on football kids, they should have their legs under them by now. This week they have Rockcastle tonight, and then Jackson County on Saturday. 

7. Knox Central (3-2)  - The Panthers finally jumped over .500 winning their only game on the week over Wolfe County by 19. According to their schedule they will play two games today, playing Owen County at 11:45AM and then Fleming County at 5:00 pm. They’ll then finish the week out against Clinton TN at Bell County in the Redmond Auto Group Holiday Classic. 

8. Harlan County (2-4) - The Black Bears had a rough week this week going 1-3. They played at Rocky Top Sports World and went 1-2, and then lost a game prior to that against Central - Wise VA. None of the losses were competitive either. This week they look to climb back to .500 with games against Rye Cove VA and Thomas Nelson. Trenton Cole (16.3) and Reggie Cottrell (12.5) are leading the way on the year, but they need more to step up if they’re going to threaten to compete.

9. Jackson County (5-3)- The Generals have officially come back down to earth. They knocked off OBI by 12, but then dropped a head scratcher to Barbourville by 6 at home. Not a good loss at all. They also dropped one to Union City TN by 4. This week they play Fulton City, Corbin, and Dawson Springs on the road. 

10. Middlesboro (6-4) - The Yellow Jackets went 2-2 on the week with wins over Harrison County and Pineville, but losses to Harlan and Letcher County Central. This week they play Green Valley Christian NV at Whitley Co. 

11. Pineville (4-4) - The Mountain Lions evened it out at .500 on the season. They had a big win over OBI. This week they are completely off. 

12. OBI (3-5) - The Mountaineers went 0-4 on the week. They lost to Jackson County, Pineville, Ashland, and Shelby Valley. This week they play Rowan County today. 

13. Harlan (2-5) - The Green Dragons went 2-1 on the week with wins over Lynn Camp and Middlesboro, and a close loss to Rockcastle. This week they play PLD, and East Jessamine. Both games are today. 

14. Barbourville (1-4) - The Tigers beat Jackson County on the road by 6, but followed it up with two losses to TN teams. I’m not sure where to put the Tigers right now. This week they play Jelico on Saturday. 

15. Lynn Camp (3-6) - Lynn Camp won one game this week over Trinity Christian but lost to everyone else. This week they will play Williamsburg tonight, and then Buckhorn and Cordia this weekend. 

16. Williamsburg (0-6) - The Yellow Jackets are still searching for their first win. They lost three more this week. They look to get their first tonight against Lynn Camp, then another Saturday against Eastern. 

17. Red Bird (1-4) - let's GO RED BIRD! They had their first win since February 22nd 2024. They knocked off Cordia by 18. Kollyn Roark had 38 in the big win. This week they have Jenkins, Ligon Cogo Home School, and David School.