13th Region: Week 8

13th Region Boys Basketball Week 8:

Here’s your week 8 rankings!

Rankings:

1. North Laurel (16-4) - Another week down, another perfect week. The jags went 2-0 this week. They crushed OBI then locked in the one seed for district with a 12 point win over Clay County on the road. There’s no team in the 13th more hot right now than North Laurel. They’ve yet to lose in 2026. Their game with Boyle this week has already been cancelled. Right now, they’re looking at OBI away Friday, and Red Bird away Saturday. 

2. Bell County (15-3) - The Bobcats went 2-0 this week to start a little win streak of their own. They beat Harlan by 36 in a district game on the road, and then knocked off Bluegrass United by 46. Neither game was close at all. This week the schedule is showing Harlan County on the road tomorrow, Middlesboro Friday, and then a big game with Bowling Green on Saturday. 

3. Clay County (13-7) - The Tigers had a decent week going 1-1. They knocked off Berea by 61, but still can’t get over that North Laurel hump so far this year. They couldn't defend home court as they were beaten by 12. This surely locks them into the 2 seed for the district, but they still should have no problem making the region. This week they are set to play Middlesboro tomorrow, and then Jackson County on the road Friday. 

4. Whitley County (13-5) - The Colonels went 2-0 on the week which was huge for district standings. They bounced back from their loss to South Laurel, with a 3 point win at Corbin. Anytime you get a win at Corbin in a district game, it’s a big deal. They also finished the week up with a 21 point win over Pineville. This moves them to 2-1 in the district, with a huge game at South Laurel set for tomorrow. They also play Williamsburg at home on Friday. 

5. Corbin (8-8) - The Redhounds are still fighting to finish a week over .500. This past week saw them take a tough one on the chin at home to Whitley County by 3, but they came back nicely with a come from behind win over Knox Central on the road by 5. They were in the driver's seat in the 50th, but now are in a 3 way tie for that one seed. This week they try to take back control over it with a game at Williamsburg tomorrow, and at home with South Laurel on Friday. 

6. South Laurel (10-9) - The Cardinals went 1-1 on the week for the second straight week in a row. They crushed Williamsburg by 67, but fell at home by two to Great Crossing. They had a massive comeback but couldn’t pull it off in the end. This week they have two huge district games to fight for that one seed, with Whitley County at home tomorrow, and Corbin on the road Friday. This could put them in the drivers seat at 4-1 in the district. 

7. Knox Central (10-6)  - The Panthers went 1-1 on the week with a 28 point win over Lynn Camp on the road, and a 5 point loss to Corbin at home. I watched the first half of this one, and it was nip and tuck the whole way. Eventually Corbin went on a run last, and that ended up being the difference in this one. Knox is back in action with Pineville tomorrow, Barbourville Thursday at home, and McCreary Central at Rock Saturday in the Rocket Classic. 

8. Harlan County (12-6) - Don’t look now, but the Black Bears may be finding their groove. This week they had three wins over Leslie County by 6, Knott County Central by 4, and Middlesboro by 19. A solid week all in all. They have a huge one to see where they stand tomorrow against Bell County at home. They finish the week Friday with Harlan at home. Two huge games for district seeding. 

9. Jackson County (14-6) - The Generals went 2-0 on the week. They’re putting together a nice season all things considered. They beat Knoxville Ambassadors by 19, and then Williamsburg by 45. This week they have a shot to shoot up the rankings with a big district game with Clay County at home on Friday. This game could show they’re ready to compete to make the region tournament. 

10. Harlan (8-12) - The Green Dragons went 1-2 on the week. They lost to Bell County by 36. They opened up the All A State tournament with a 4 point win over Nicholas County. They then took Newport to the wire, only dropping that game by 1 in OT. Not a bad showing at all. They have a huge district matchup on Friday with Harlan County on the road. They also will play Rockcastle County on the road Saturday. 

11. Middlesboro (11-9) - The Yellow Jackets went 2-1 this week with wins over Thomas Walker, and Red Bird. They lost to Harlan County. They play Clay County, and Bell County this week. 

12. OBI (7-9) - The Mountaineers went 1-1 this week with a win over Red Bird and a loss to North Laurel. This week they play North Laurel, and Leslie County. 

13. Barbourville (6-9) - The Tigers went 1-1 on the week with a win over Trinity Christian, and a loss to Berea. This week they will play Knox Central, and Casey County. 

14. Pineville (8-9) - The Mountain Lions went 1-1 this past week with a win over Washburn TN, and a loss to Whitley County. This week they play Knox Central, Lynn Camp, and Prestonsburg. 

15. Red Bird (5-9) - Red Bird went 1-2  this week snapping a losing streak to Lynn Camp, by knocking them off by 15. They lost to Middlesboro and OBI. This week they play Cordia, and North Laurel. 

16.. Lynn Camp (5-14) - Lynn Camp went 0-1 this week with a loss to Knox Central and Red Bird. This week they play Owsley County, Pineville, and Thomas Walker. 

17. Williamsburg (1-19) - The Yellow Jackets went 0-3 on the week losing to South Laurel, Jackson County, and Apostolic Christian School. This week they play Corbin, Whitley County, and Trinity Christian.