13th Region Boys Basketball Week 5:

With week 5 wrapping up, I still think it’s a two horse race. Some of the middle of the road teams play each other which will help out how that looks. I’d like to see Bell’s record against North Laurel’s schedule. But you play the games you have scheduled. I think those two are the top two, 3 through 8 are probably region hopefuls, and everything after that is on the outside looking in. We will see how it shakes out after this week!

Rankings:

1. Bell County (10-2) - The Bobcats are rolling right now. Boost their winning streak up to five games right now. They added two extremely impressive wins IMO, winning over Southwestern a 12th region contender by 19, then knocking off Eastern by 12. They also won their first game in the 2A Sectional by 20 over McCreary. Freshman Braxton Ferguson had 28 in the win over McCreary. This week they have Whitley at home on Tuesday for the next round of the 2A, and then Knox Central on Saturday in the Grace Health Raymond Reed Classic. 

2. North Laurel (9-4) - The Jags went 2-1 on the week. They had a nice win over Bryan Station by 3, and a big time district win over Clay County by 15. They dropped one though to Daviess by 21. The Clay win was a huge one at home. Reece Davidson had 23, Corey Cunagin added 20, and Kaiden Allen had 12. They’re now in the driver's seat in the 49th. This week they travel to Corbin on Tuesday, then have Pulaski County at home on Friday. Two huge games. 

3. Clay County (8-5) - The Tigers went backwards this week going 1-2. They lost to Dixie Heights by 1, beat Estill by 37, and then lost to North Laurel by 15. The North game was a tough one. They hung in there all the way till the third, then North put together a few runs that they didn’t match. Grubb, Wagers, and Rogers all went for 16+ in the loss. As a team they missed 7 free throws. There’s plenty to sure up on before they meet again at home. Clay has a game with OBI on the road tonight, and then a game at South Laurel on Friday. 

4. Whitley County (11-3) - The Colonels went 3-1 on the week. They won two games out of state, and lost one game out of state. I can’t really speak about those games. I can say though, they played Harlan Co in  the first round of the 2A. They had a big time 7 point win over them, and the game was at Bell County. Riley Fuson went off for 38 and 10 in the win. Huge numbers for just a sophomore. This week they have a chance to show how they stand in the region with a game at Bell County on Tuesday. They finish the week up with a game against Madison Southern at South Laurel. 

5. Harlan County (7-5) - The Black Bears went 1-1 this week. Maybe I should’ve kept them where they were, but I’m going to move them up one slot. They had a 8 point win over Barbourville, but then had a 7 point loss to Whitley County. Reggie Cottrell did all he could against Whitley putting up 32 and 7 in the loss. This week, they play McCreary Central at Bell County in the 2A. I’m not sure why they’d play that game since they lost the first round, so we will see what their week looks like if KHSAA updates. 

6. South Laurel (6-6) - The Cardinals went 0-3 this past week. Albeit they played three big time games with Eastern, Southwestern, and Trinity. However, all three ended the same way; a 12 point loss, 4 point loss in OT, and a 10 point loss. Kaden Taylor is leading the way so far this year with 13.9 per, and Kaiden McQueen is right behind him with 11.5. Things don’t get easier for South Laurel with Pulaski County, Clay County, and Russell County on the schedule this week. 

7. Knox Central (7-3)  - The Panthers went 2-0 on the week. They killed Williamsburg by 48, and then knocked off Hancock TN by 31. A whole lot of kids got reps, and a whole lot of kids got in the stats columns in both games. This week things will pick up to give us more of an idea at the middle of the pack, as KC plays Middlesboro, Perry County Central, and Bell County. 

8. Corbin (5-6) - The Redhounds are still chasing .500, but got closer this week going 2-1. They beat Dawson Springs, then had a comeback win over WEB DuBois by 3 in their own tournament, the CFIT. They dropped their last game of the week though, a 7 point loss to Evangel Christian in Double OT. Eli P had 25 and 10 in the loss, and Evan Ellis added in 26. Those two lead the way and need a few others to step up. This week they play North Laurel at home on Tuesday. 

9. Jackson County (9-4) - The Generals had a really nice week going 3-0. I’d like to move them a little higher but I can’t see them beating any of the teams ranked in front of them. They beat Dawson Springs by 26, Barbourville by 8, and Sayre by 3 in double OT. Wyatt Gray had a nice game with 24 in the win over Sayre. This week they play Trinity Christian tonight, Williamsburg at home on Thursday, and Harlan on Saturday in the first round of the All A. 

10. Middlesboro (7-5) - The Yellow Jackets were completely off this week. This week they play Knox Central tonight, and then Red Bird on Saturday in the first round of the All A. 

11. Pineville (6-5) - The Mountain Lions went 2-1 this week. They beat Trimble County and Jackson City, but lost to Nicholas County. This week they play OBI, and Lynn Camp. 

12. OBI (3-6) - The Mountaineers were off last week. This week they play Clay County, Pineville, and Williamsburg on Saturday in the All A. 

13. Harlan (4-8) - The Green Dragons went 1-2 on the week, with a 27 point win over an out of state team, and then two losses to out of state teams. This week they play Jackson County at OBI for the all A on Saturday. 

14. Barbourville (2-7) - The Tigers went 0-3 on the week with losses to WEB DuBois, Jackson County, and Harlan County. This week they play Williamsburg on the road tonight. 

15. Williamsburg (1-9) - The Yellow Jackets went 0-2 on the week with losses to Knox Central and Grainger TN. This week they play Barbourville, Berea, Jackson County, and OBI. 

16.. Lynn Camp (5-9) - Lynn Camp went 1-1 on the week with a loss to Lee County and a win over Robertson County. This week they play Model, and Pineville. 

17. Red Bird (3-5) - Red Bird was off this past week. They play Jackson City, and Middlesboro this week.

Bump.