Fear 'LES' 13th Region Boys Regional Ratings Jan. 10 to Jan. 17

[Les]

Boys Top 5

 

1. Corbin (10-4 overall, 5-0 against 13th Region foes)

What’s the scoop: Yep, there is a new team atop the 13th Region rankings and justifiably so.

I had Tony Pietrowski’s squad rated No.1 entering the season and that was with the thought of junior Josh Crawford in the line-up.

Well, after knowing he was going to be out until Christmas, I had Cumberland tagged No. 1.

Well, Crawford is back now and that means the Redhounds are now in the top spot.

 

Surprise, surprise: Corbin participated in both the Hoopin-It-Up-Classic and the Cumberland Falls Invitational during the holidays and posted a 4-3 record.

The Redhounds fell to Boone County in the finals of the Hoopin-It-Up-Classic, while placing fourth in the Cumberland Falls Invitational.

Despite going 1-3 during their final four games, Pietrowski’s squad will benefit in the long run by playing teams such as Boone County, New Rochelle, N.Y. and Mariner, Fla.

When will the experience pay off?

Check back in March.

 

What’s ahead: Corbin will try and improve to 3-0 in 50th District play with a home game against Williamsburg Friday. The Redhounds won’t be back in action again until Jan. 12 in the Nissan Shootout, which will be held at Lexington Catholic High School.

 

2. Cumberland (7-1, 4-0)

What’s the scoop: The Redskins drop a spot, but still are considered one of the teams to beat in the 13th Region.

It’s really hard to gauge just how good Cumberland is compared to other teams in the 13th Region because they’ve not played any of the top teams.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Redskins’ lone loss (69-59) came last week against St. Albans, W. Va.

Cumberland only connected on 25-of-69 shot attempts from the floor and missed 22-of-26 shots from 3-point range.

Maybe the key to beating the Redskins is to force them to shoot from the outside?

Cumberland still received a strong effort from Garfield Wilson (24 points), while Brooks Hogue added 14. Desmond Johnson added 12 points and 16 rebounds.

 

What’s ahead: The Redskins will be back in action Friday at home against Cawood before participating in the WYMT Classic beginning on Jan. 9.

 

3. Knox Central (9-3, 5-1)

What’s the scoop: If you’re a Knox Central fan, then you have to be impressed with the way Brandon Elam’s Panthers have played over the holidays.

The Panthers are winners of six-of-their-last-seven games, which included wins over Whitley County and Jackson County.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Panthers dropped a heart-breaker to eventual Hoopin-It-Up-Classic champion Boone County during the Classic’s opener, losing by only one point, but reeled off three straight wins after the loss to the Rebels.

Elam’s squad beat Cawood, Casey County and Jackson County and came back with a runner-up finish a week later in the 5th Monticello Bank Classic.

The Panthers handed Whitley County an 83-56 loss, but dropped an 82-47 decision to St. Xavier, Ohio in the finals.

 

What’s ahead: The Panthers’ rivalry with Barbourville will be renewed Friday at home. Knox Central won’t have too much time to rest, though, with a Jan. 8 showdown against June Buchanan in the first round of the WYMT Classic.

 

4. Jackson County (9-4, 3-2)

What’s the scoop: After starting the season with a 5-1 mark, the Generals have slowed down a bit, posting a 4-3 record since.

Jackson County did manage to gain some much-needed experience by taking part in both the Hoopin-It-Up-Classic and the Cumberland Falls Invitational.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Generals hung tough against 11th Region power Madison Central before falling 77-68 on Dec. 20, but Jackson County managed to recover with consecutive wins over Somerset and Leslie County.

Keith Hayes’ squad managed to turn in a solid showing a week later in the Cumberland Falls Invitational by going 2-1.

The Generals suffered a hard-fought 72-69 loss to Union, S.C. before pulling off wins over Sarasota, Fla. (58-57) and Boiling Springs, N.C. (73-60).

 

What’s ahead: Jackson County will be in action today on the road against Estill County before traveling to play Whitley County Saturday.

 

5. Pineville (11-2, 5-0)

What’s the scoop: The Mountain Lions are quietly putting together a solid season, while not getting much publicity in the process.

The last two seasons Pineville underachieved, but not this year. Wait and see if the Mountain Lions don’t have a say on who wins the 13th Region title this season.

 

Surprise, surprise: Pineville posted a 6-2 record in the two holiday tournaments this season, while defeating the likes of East Jessamine and Cumberland County.

 

What’s ahead: The Mountain Lions will travel to play Lynn Camp Friday and will be back in action again Jan. 8 against Barbourville.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 South Laurel (11-3, 5-2)

What’s the scoop: The Cardinals have been on a roll since losing to Boone County by four points on Dec. 22. I still believe Steve Wright’s squad could be dangerous if the Cardinals can reach the 13th Region Tournament.

South Laurel erased its earlier loss to North Laurel by defeating the Jaguars 74-38 on Dec. 23.

The Cardinals also captured the Berea Christmas Tournament championship by defeating Glasgow, 77-53.

 

No. 7 Clay County (6-3, 3-0)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers are losers of two straight and will try to end their losing streak Friday at Wayne County.

 

No. 8 North Laurel (7-4, 2-3)

What’s the scoop: The Jaguars posted a 2-1 record in the Queen City Classic, but their 2-3 record against 13th Region foes is alarming.

 

No. 9 Middlesboro (6-8, 2-4)

What’s the scoop: The Yellow Jackets have lost 3-of-4, but still remain a dangerous team.

 

No. 10 Whitley County (9-6, 2-4)

What’s the scoop: The Colonels are continuing to improve.

[Les]

^^^

[tropiclighting]

Cumberland is 9 and 1

[Les]

This was written before the WYMT Classic. So thanks for the heads up, still wouldn't move them to No. 1.

[Les]

bump

[Log Mountain Boy]

I have been out of town and have not had a chance to see Bell Co. play. But I do know they beat Mboro fairly easily the other day. Have you seen them play Les?

[Les]

The coach has done a heckuva job there. I'm really impressed with the Bobcats.

[Les]

Wait a minute, I posted the wrong Fear 'LES' Forecast. YIKES!!!!

That was last week's.

 

Here is the new one!

Boys Top 5

 

1. Corbin (11-4 overall, 6-0 against 13th Region foes)

What’s the scoop: The Redhounds remain at the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive week after running over Williamsburg Jan. 4, 85-43.

When it comes to a unanimous choice for the regions top team, it has to be Corbin.

Tony Pietrowski’s squad is No. 1 in this rating, along with the Dave Cantrall Rating the State and the Litkenhouse Ratings.

Corbin is rated No. 23 in the state according to the Cantrall Ratings and No. 16 in the Bluegrasspreps.com Poll.

 

Surprise, surprise: Largo High School is up next for the Redhounds, so we know Corbin will get another test Friday.

Coach Pietrowski said the chances of Josh Crawford playing is 50/50. The addition of Crawford in the line-up would be a plus, but the Redhounds have shown they can hold their own during his absence.

When he does return and is 100 percent, Corbin is going to be hard to beat.

The Redhounds are DEEP when it comes to talent. 12 players scored during their win over Williamsburg, as Josh Smith led the way with 18 points.

 

What’s ahead: A trip to Lexington Catholic is in store for Corbin Saturday, then a road date against Jackson County will take place, Jan. 15.

It should be an interesting week of basketball for Coach Pietrowski and his troops.

 

2. Cumberland (9-1, 5-0)

What’s the scoop: The Redskins ended their one-game losing skid by handling Cawood with ease last week with a 64-40 win.

 

Surprise, surprise: I’m really surprised to see that Cumberland isn’t getting the respect it should in both the Cantrall and Litkenhouse Ratings.

The one thing that might be holding the Redskins back is the weak schedule they have played, but after participating in the WYMT Classic and the upcoming 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic Tournament, Cumberland should be able to get the respect it deserves.

 

What’s ahead: The Redskins will be playing in the WYMT Classic the remainder of the week and will host upstart Bell County on Jan. 14.

 

3. Knox Central (10-4, 6-1)

What’s the scoop: Knox Central received a minor setback after losing to June Buchanan in the first round of the WYMT Classic Tuesday.

 

Surprise, surprise: Cody Miller continues to show everyone just how good he is by scoring 26 points against June Buchanan. Miller has great size and is one of the best players in the Tri-County.

 

What’s ahead: A Jan. 17 13th Region test against Middlesboro at home should be a good one for the Panthers. Brandon Elam’s squad has the talent to compete for the 13th Region crown, but needs to be a bit more consistent.

 

4. Jackson County (12-4, 4-2)

What’s the scoop: The Generals continue to cruise along and show they have to be considered as one of the region’s elite teams.

Coach Keith Hayes is doing a great job with his team this season.

 

Surprise, surprise: Jackson County flexed its muscles again Tuesday by handing the 12th Region’s Pulaski County Maroons a 64-46 loss.

The Generals outscored the Maroons 34-15 in the second half to pick up the win.

Nick Brumback led the way with 21 points, while Aaron Cunagin added 18 points.

 

What’s ahead: Jackson County will be in action Friday against Perry Central before hosting Corbin on Jan. 15.

 

5. South Laurel (12-3, 5-2)

What’s the scoop: Yep, I’m moving the Cardinals ahead of Pineville. In a head-to-head match-up, I believe South Laurel is the better team right now.

The Mountain Lions struggled to get past Lynn Camp last week and trailed at halftime against visiting Barbourville 29-28 Tuesday before winning, 66-48.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Cardinals are winners of seven straight, but suffered a little setback after an injury to guard Matt Gilbert during Saturday’s 61-55 win over Breathitt County. It hasn’t been determined just how long Gilbert will be out, or if he will be at all, but his absence will hurt South Laurel.

 

What’s ahead: The Cardinals will host Dixie Heights Friday and will find themselves in a road contest against 11th Region foe Madison Central on Jan. 15.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 Pineville (13-2, 7-0)

What’s the scoop: It’s really hard to justify how a team can drop a spot even though they are unbeaten in region play, but I’ve not been impressed with the Mountain Lions this past week.

Pineville needed the heroics of James David Strange and his 44-point effort against Lynn Camp to escape with an overtime win and the Mountain Lions trailed at home against Barbourville (7-8, 3-5) before pulling out the double-digit win.

 

No. 7 North Laurel (9-4, 2-3)

What’s the scoop: The Jaguars picked up a huge road win against George Rogers Clark last week and followed it up with a nice 75-49 win over Madison Southern Tuesday.

Josh Seidel scored 25 points along with 10 steals against the Eagles.

 

No. 8 Clay County (7-3, 3-0)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers snapped a two-game losing skid with a road win over Wayne County last week.

 

No. 9 Bell County (10-3, 4-0)

What’s the scoop: Lewis Morris has done a fantastic job with the Bobcats. Many thought this season would be a rebuilding one for the Bobcats, but they are winners of three straight.

 

No. 10 Whitley County (9-7, 2-5)

What’s the scoop: Chris Baker’s Colonels are improved, but need to fare better against 13th Region opponents.

[Les]

bump

[The Professor]

Are you sure you have evaluated Clay County correctly? They played the socks off Hazard in the wymt.

[Les]

They also beat Central at home ... I'm going to watch them play North this week, so we'll go from there. I believe they could easily be in the top 5.