Fear 'Les' 13th Regional Ratings Jan. 17-Jan. 23

[Les]

Boys Top 5

 

1. Corbin (12-5 overall, 7-0 against 13th Region foes)

What’s the scoop: Has anyone in the 13th Region played a harder schedule than Tony Pietrowski’s Corbin Redhounds?

I don’t believe so.

The Redhounds suffered a loss to Largo High School in the Nissan Shootout last weekend, but proved they are a legit team in the process by only losing, 75-64.

The Redhounds answered with an impressive 65-63 win on the road against Jackson County Tuesday, which leads me to believe, if Corbin can get out of the region, the Redhounds have the talent to make a run at the Sweet 16.

 

Surprise, surprise: Deke Barley is starting to come into his own after his impressive 13-point showing against Jackson County.

Yes, he hit the game winner at the buzzer, but he also looked more confident on both offense and defense.

Josh Crawford is continuing to get into playing shape and once he gets back to 100 percent, the sky is the limit for Corbin.

The one thing that separates the Redhounds from every other team in the 13th Region is the Corbin’s depth.

With players like Blake Hendrickson, Clint Cashen, Devin Rogers and Lee Crawford coming off the bench, the Redhounds will be tough to beat.

 

What’s ahead: The Redhounds will host a pair of games the following week with a set of Cardinals coming to town.

Wayne County pays a visit Friday, while 50th District foe South Laurel will tip things off with Corbin on Jan. 22.

A win over Steve Wright’s squad would keep the Redhounds undefeated in 50th District play. Corbin won the first meeting with ease, 65-44.

 

2. Cumberland (11-2, 6-0)

What’s the scoop: The only thing that keeps me from moving Cumberland down a spot is the Redskins’ unbeaten mark against 13th Region teams.

I watched Cumberland play against Hazard and Pikeville and wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be.

The Redskins lack depth and struggled at the free- throw line, but they do have a talented starting five.

Cumberland’s weak schedule might also play a big role once March rolls around.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Redskins did mange to post a 2-1 record in the WYMT Classic - which included a nice comeback against Pikeville.

Cumberland recorded a big 52nd District win over Bell County on Tuesday, as the Redskins rolled to an easy 55-32 win at home.

Brock Leisge led the way with 6-of-11 shooting and 17 points, while Desmond Johnson followed with 11 points. Garfield Wilson was limited to two points on 1-of-5 shooting from the floor.

 

What’s ahead: The Redskins will travel to play Harlan Friday before hitting the road Jan. 22 against Evarts.

 

3. Knox Central (12-4, 7-1)

What’s the scoop: The Panthers are inching closer and closer to the No. 2 spot.

 

Surprise, surprise: Brandon Elam’s squad turned in a solid 2-1 effort in the WYMT Classic, while avenging its only 13th Region loss in the process by defeating Clay County, 59-53.

 

What’s ahead: The Panthers will be tested today at home against Middlesboro before hosting Cawood on Jan. 22. Then a match-up on the road with rival Corbin awaits on Jan. 25.

 

4. Jackson County (13-5, 4-3)

What’s the scoop: The Generals are a solid team and have the ability to win the 13th Region title, but they need to begin beating teams within the region.

Two losses to Knox Central and a home loss to Corbin are the main reasons why Jackson County remains at the No. 4 spot.

 

Surprise, surprise: Jackson County showed that it won’t give up without a fight during the Generals game against Corbin Tuesday.

Jackson County trailed by 12 points in the game’s final eight minutes and actually tied the game, but ended up losing, 65-63.

Nick Brumback scored 25 hard-earned points in the loss. The one problem I saw in the loss to the Redhounds is the fact that Jackson County shoots way too many perimeter shots and needs to give Brumback more touches.

 

What’s ahead: Jackson County will be on the road Friday against Cawood and won’t be back in action again until Jan. 26 against Lawrence County.

 

5. Pineville (14-2, 8-0)

What’s the scoop: Yep, I’m moving the Mountain Lions up a notch after their win over Bell County Tuesday.

Pineville won 65-59 on the road, but remember, Bell County was without the services of Shawnta Zachary.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Mountain Lions are winners of six straight and look to be on a roll.

 

What’s ahead: Pineville plays Richmond Model Friday and Red Bird Jan. 21.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 North Laurel (11-4, 2-3)

What’s the scoop: Coach Jim Conway has done an outstanding job with his team, as the Jaguars are winners of four straight.

The duo of Nick Shannon and Josh Seidel have made North Laurel a contender for the 13th Region title.

Friday’s road game against Clay County should be an interesting one.

 

No. 7 South Laurel (12-5, 5-2)

What’s the scoop: Steve Wright’s Cardinals are too inconsistent for me. Someone needs to step up and be a leader for the Cardinals.

Things don’t get any easier for South Laurel with a date with Corbin coming up Jan. 22.

 

No. 8 Clay County (8-5, 3-1)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers are another team that can’t seem to get on track.

 

No. 9 Bell County (11-5, 5-2)

What’s the scoop: The Bobcats are losers of two straight and maybe shouldn’t be at this spot, but with teams such as Whitley County, Lynn Camp and Middlesboro struggling, who do you put where?

 

No. 10 Whitley County (11-8, 3-5)

What’s the scoop: The Colonels are struggling, but still have the talent to pull off an upset somewhere down the road.

[Les]

bump

[RedBirdCards23]

Nice...I agree with the Bell County being where they are, who else can you really put there?

[Les]

That's true.

1-8, you sorta have an idea.

9-10, who knows.

[RedBirdCards23]

I really would of thought the Camp would be in there, but you can't drop a game to Red Bird and expect to be here.

[tropiclighting]

Les you are awfully hard on the Redskins. Pikeville is in the moutain top 10, Knott was on the road. Hazard is one of the best teams in the mountains. Bell County was getting a lot of praise, and Cumberland handled them. You put them at 2, but with a negative spin. I guess that comes with being close to the top.

[Les]

I call'em like I see'em. Maybe they'll prove me wrong.

As for the Mountain Top 10, I'm not a fan of that, just like many people are not a fan of my poll.

Just different opinions, that's all.

[Les]

bump

[Les]

bump

[Hasbeen]

I don't follow basketball much but I have read that a freshman point guard named Canady at Knox Central is starting to generate a lot of talk. Is this an area KC was needing help? If so, I would think as this kid matures and continues to improve the Panther's stock should rise even more by the tournament time.

[ballaholic]

I don't follow basketball much but I have read that a freshman point guard named Canady at Knox Central is starting to generate a lot of talk. Is this an area KC was needing help? If so, I would think as this kid matures and continues to improve the Panther's stock should rise even more by the tournament time.

 

In my opinion he will be a good player, and you are right this is a position where they do not have a true point guard. He is a true point guard and as he matures they may be pretty good at tournament time.

[Scott Baio]

Its good to see a small school like Pineville doing well but I'm not ready to move them ahead of North or South because of the strength of schedule. If they can it up against Knox Central and Corbin in a couple of weeks I will be a believer.

[manimal_tops]

I hate to be the one to bust your bubble but Shawnte Zachary played for Bell Co. when they played Pineville the other night. He had around 18 points and despite not being the leading scorer for the Bobcats I feel his play is what prevented a Pineville blowout. Pineville led as much as 13 points at 2 different points in the game and it seemed like Zachary was who clawed the cats back into the game. Number 23 I think also sparked the cats, he led all scorers!

 

I still think Pineville has yet recieved the respect they deserve. In a few weeks they should gain more respect as the schedule has more big name teams like Knox Central(who they beat for the district championship last season), Corbin(who they lost to in the region last year), North Laurel, South Laurel(I think), Clay Co., and Cumberland.

 

People under estimating Pineville has a lot to do with them being somewhere around the third smallest school in the region(red bird and evarts are the only schools I think are smaller) and the lack of success in the past(excluding the past few years which Pineville has really built up to a great team). Coach Strange has really done a great job with the Mountain Lions!

[Les]

Didn't burst my bubble.

Maybe it's because Pineville hasn't played any of the region's elite teams just yet, not because they are a small school.

Cumberland is a Class A school and is rated second in the region.

Corbin is 2A and is No. 1 ... doesn't really help your argument out none.

Beat the big boys and you'll move up.

[LOVETHOSERHOUNDS]

Didn't burst my bubble.

Maybe it's because Pineville hasn't played any of the region's elite teams just yet, not because they are a small school.

Cumberland is a Class A school and is rated second in the region.

Corbin is 2A and is No. 1 ... doesn't really help your argument out none.

Beat the big boys and you'll move up.

 

:thumb: