Boys Top 5

 

1. South Laurel (19-5)

What’s the scoop: Just how legit are the Cantrall Ratings?

The Cardinals are winners of nine straight and have dropped from being rated No. 7 in the state to all the way down to No. 17.

Now, that’s crazy isn’t it?

Yes, Steve Wright’s Cardinals look like they have been in cruise control since Jan.1, but South Laurel has been winning - just not in the blowout fashion many people are use to.

During the recent win streak, the Cardinals are averaging an impressive 18-point margin of victory, but close games against Paintsville (58-57), Corbin (67-60), Casey County (61-55) and North Laurel (66-54) have many wondering if South Laurel has enough gas in the tank to repeat as 13th Region champions.

I for one believe South Laurel can make another trip to the Sweet 16.

Let’s remember, the only in-state teams that have beaten South Laurel are George Rogers Clark (66-62) and Pleasure Ridge Park (60-57), so in reality, the Cardinals are only seven points away from being undefeated against in-state teams.

Let’s not forget that South Laurel is 29-0 against 13th Region teams dating back to 2004 and the Cardinals are the No. 1 seed in this year’s 50th District Tournament.

So no, the sky isn’t falling, and yes, South Laurel remains the team to beat in the 13th Region until some one beats them.

Could it happen this season? We will see.

 

Surprise, surprise: Just when you think that the only offense the Cardinals can muster is from one of the ‘Big Three,’ freshman Matt St. John steps up and gives his team a big boost by scoring 12 points in South Laurel’s 83-61 road-win against Somerset.

If Wright can continue to get that type of production from St. John, then the Cardinals should be fine.

Another player that needs to step up is back-up guard Matt Gilbert. After going perfect from the field, while scoring 22 points during South Laurel’s 79-32 win over Whitley County, he hasn’t reached that scoring total since.

 

What’s ahead: South Laurel hosts 12th Region power Boyle County today and will be back in action Friday on the road against 14th Region All ‘A’ champion Hazard. After the game against the Bulldogs, the Cardinals get a six-day break before lacing them up against No. 2 Bell County at Log Mountain.

 

2. Bell County (20-4)

What’s the scoop: The Bobcats keep rolling and remain at the No. 2 spot after picking up an impressive 59-51 win at Cumberland last week.

 

Surprise, surprise: Bell County continues to get solid efforts by the Whitaker boys and that’s what makes the Bobcats a dangerous team. Just imagine if the Slusher kid was still around and playing basketball in Log Mountain.

 

What’s ahead: Bell County will be back in action Friday at home against Knox Central and will travel to play Barbourville Tuesday.

 

3. Corbin (18-6)

What’s the scoop: I almost moved the Redhounds to the No. 2 spot and they’re probably playing the best basketball in the 13th Region right now, but I’m sticking with Bell County at the two-spot at the present time.

 

Surprise, surprise: I’m really impressed with the way Deke Barley and Josh Smith have been playing during the past month. The two players have been scoring at will during the past couple of weeks.

 

What’s ahead: Corbin will get another test Friday at home against 13th Region rival Clay County, who is rated No. 4 in my ratings. If the Redhounds can pick up a win over the Tigers, who knows, Tony Pietrowski’s squad could move up another slot in the ‘Fear’ Les 13th Region Ratings.

 

4. Clay County (17-5)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers got back to their winning ways by knocking off Lynn Camp Tuesday at home, 83-62.

Clay County is a dangerous team that has the ability to go far in the post-season. The Tigers do have a dangerous first round opponent in the 49th District against Oneida Baptist.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Tigers only led Lynn Camp by one point (35-34) at halftime, but outscored the Wildcats 48-28 in the second half. The play of Justin Hobbs, Moe Campbell, Jeremy Sizemore and Zach Lewis has been key for Clay County. If those four guys continue to impress, then look out for the Tigers.

 

What’s ahead: Clay County has a big match-up with Corbin Friday and will host Pineville Saturday. The Tigers will be back in action Tuesday against Middlesboro.

 

5. Cumberland (18-6)

What’s the scoop: The Redskins remain at the No. 5 spot despite losing two games in a row this past week.

To be honest, I wasn’t impressed with Cumberland during the Redskins’ 85-67 loss to Corbin.

Cumberland seems to have trouble with teams that like to run-and-gun (or at least the Redskins did against the Redhounds) and I just don’t think Jerry Edwards’ squad has enough depth to compete with the South Laurels, Corbins and Bell Countys.

 

Surprise, surprise: I was surprised with the way Corbin handled Cumberland with ease during the second half of the Redhounds’ 18-point win.

I was also surprised with the way the Redhounds scored 85 points on a team that was ranked first in the 13th Region in points allowed.

 

What’s ahead: Cumberland will try and get back on track Friday on the road against Middlesboro. The Redskins play on the road Saturday against Oneida Baptist and will travel to play North Laurel Tuesday.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Barbourville (14-8)

What’s the scoop: I said this before and I’ll say it again, Dinky Phipps’ squad is a dangerous team. Barbourville is beginning to play well at the right time.

 

No. 7 Knox Central (11-10)

What’s the scoop: The Panthers ended their two-game skid by handing Cawood a 66-48 road loss Tuesday.

 

No. 8 Lynn Camp (12-10)

What’s the scoop: The “Comeback Cats” couldn’t pick up a comeback win against Clay County, but hung tough for a while before the Tigers pulled away. Craig Bargo poured in 32 points in the loss.

 

No. 9 Jackson County (12-13)

What’s the scoop: The Generals picked up two wins this past week - which includeds an interesting 31-24 win over Oneida Baptist.

 

No. 10 Pineville (10-11)

What’s the scoop: Pineville remains in the Top 10, but teams such as Whitley County and Harlan aren’t too far behind.

Les, it appears you use the word Ease kind of loosely when referring to the way Corbin handled Cumberland in the 2nd half of their game Saturday. I dont think coach Tony P. thought it was too easy, nor did anyone else that has commented on the game. The Redhounds were down at the half and made a strong surge early in the 3rd, while Cumberland continued to try to run and gun with them, which was a mistake mainly due to the fact they only went 6 deep on their bench, while Corbin went 10 without loosing much when they substituted. Then late in the game, with Cumberland wore down to add to the final margin there was a technical during a Cumberland possession that turned out to be a 6 point turn around (instead of Cumberland scoring 2, Corbin scored 4) that lead to the final margin being a misleading 18 points. The bottom line IMO is Corbin is a very solid team, but no where close to 18 points better than Cumberland and if they meet again in the regional tournament it will be a completely different game, much closer if not a toss up either way.

I still dont understand how Clay Co can be #4...

I still dont understand how Clay Co can be #4...

Saturday night it will be well understood !

Les, it appears you use the word Ease kind of loosely when referring to the way Corbin handled Cumberland in the 2nd half of their game Saturday. I dont think coach Tony P. thought it was too easy, nor did anyone else that has commented on the game. The Redhounds were down at the half and made a strong surge early in the 3rd, while Cumberland continued to try to run and gun with them, which was a mistake mainly due to the fact they only went 6 deep on their bench, while Corbin went 10 without loosing much when they substituted. Then late in the game, with Cumberland wore down to add to the final margin there was a technical during a Cumberland possession that turned out to be a 6 point turn around (instead of Cumberland scoring 2, Corbin scored 4) that lead to the final margin being a misleading 18 points. The bottom line IMO is Corbin is a very solid team, but no where close to 18 points better than Cumberland and if they meet again in the regional tournament it will be a completely different game, much closer if not a toss up either way.

 

Amen!Cumberland also had a draining game against Bell.

I still dont see..the games at Corbin.. and Corbin has been beat by Knox Central..a team Clay beat by 10 at KC...

Bump ...

I still dont understand how Clay Co can be #4...

 

 

 

As I stated before. My ratings aren't based on who has beat who and when, but who I believe is playing good ball at the presnt time.

As for Cumberland, I find them to be no better than the 5th best team in the region right now.

Yes, they played Bell the night before, but Corbin played a road game the night before against Pineville.

Anyway, if you can't get up or your too drained to play back-to-back games, then you're not going far in the post-season.

As I stated before. My ratings aren't based on who has beat who and when, but who I believe is playing good ball at the presnt time.

As for Cumberland, I find them to be no better than the 5th best team in the region right now.

Yes, they played Bell the night before, but Corbin played a road game the night before against Pineville.

Anyway, if you can't get up or your too drained to play back-to-back games, then you're not going far in the post-season.

Even playing at Pineville isn't the same animal as Bell.Actually I know that Cumberland has been beat by 3 of the top 4 teams,but neither one of these teams is 18 points better than the other as shown in the Cumberland,Corbin game.

I do agree with you there ... some ... on a neutral court, I say Corbin is 6 to 8 points better, but I could see South beat Cumberland by A LOT.

The Redskins just don't seem deep to me, but I could be wrong.

South would destroy Cumberland in my opinion. Too much size for the small Skins to handle. If they want to play slow,South wins by 55- 35....if they want to play fast South wins 85 to 65.

Goodnes Bubba, I agree with you again, this is getting scary!!!

I saw you the other night at the Corbin game with a BGP shirt on....and it was not Carolina blue....I was disappointed. We just watch the same games Les. For some strange reason.

Carolina Blue? Uh oh, now, you're starting to worry me a bit. How do you know about me liking Carolina blue, not many people know that. You weren't setting in the upper level tonight behind Boyle's bench were ya?

Bubba is not hard to spot. Just look for the big black cowboy hat and that would be me. I know you are fond of the Carolina blue alright. I think the region is down to about fuor teams....South, Clay, Bell and Corbin.....the remaining teams will be Cumberland, Jackson, Lynn Camp and Bville....that is just my opinion. I do not claim to be an expert. I am sure there will be some surprises.