Girls Top 5

 

1. Middlesboro (24-2, 19-1)

What’s the scoop: Yep, I’m moving the Lady Yellow Jackets to the top spot after their 11-point win over Whitley County.

 

Surprise, surprise: Brooklynn Jimison scored 25 points against the Lady Colonels and looks like she will be a force in the paint once post-season play begins.

 

What’s ahead: The battle for the No. 1 spot will take place Feb. 22 at Clay County. Middlesboro has more than a week to prepare for the No. 2 Lady Tigers.

 

2. Clay County (16-7, 5-1)

What’s the scoop: For some teams, a 2-4 stretch would be alarming. But for Clay County, it might be a minor bump in the road.

Yes, the Lady Tigers are riding a season-worst two-game losing streak for the second time during the past three weeks, but Clay County almost beat Lexington Catholic before losing, 46-44.

 

Surprise, surprise: Clay County could still very well be the team to beat in the 13th Region, but the Lady Tigers need to be a bit more consistent.

 

What’s ahead: The Lady Tigers host Corbin Friday before hosting Pike Central Saturday. Clay County will travel to play No. 3 South Laurel on Feb. 18.

 

3. South Laurel (17-7, 11-3)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Cardinals could very well be the hottest team in the state. South Laurel has won eight straight games.

 

Surprise, surprise: Lauren Wombles continues to assert herself as one of the best players around by scoring 18 points in only six minutes of action during South Laurel’s 63-34 win over Knox Central last week.

 

What’s ahead: South Laurel will be tested during its next two games. A home game against Elizabethtown Saturday and another home contest against Clay County on Feb. 18.

 

4. Whitley County (18-6, 11-3)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Colonels are 3-2 during their last five games. The two losses are against South Laurel and Middlesboro.

 

Surprise, surprise: Whitley County will be battle-tested this upcoming week with games against North Laurel, Scott County and Cawood.

 

What’s ahead: Larry Anderson’s squad will travel to play North Laurel Friday and will host Scott County Monday and travel to Cawood Tuesday.

 

5. Jackson County (17-7, 7-4)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Generals recovered from their 56-40 loss to Whitley County with a hard-fought 62-49 win over Barbourville Tuesday.

 

Surprise, surprise: You still can’t count out Jackson County. But for the Lady Generals to be a player in the 13th Region Tournament, they’ll have to find a way to beat Clay County, their opponent in the first round of the 49th District Tournament.

 

What’s ahead: The Lady Generals travel to Oneida Baptist Friday and will host Lee County Saturday.

 

The Best of the Rest

 

No. 6 North Laurel (11-11, 3-5)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Jaguars are still too inconsistent.

 

No. 7 Corbin (12-11, 6-7)

What’s the scoop: Since Dec. 28, the Lady Redhounds are 6-7.

 

No. 8 Harlan (15-10, 15-6)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Green Dragons are 12-2 since Jan. 4.

 

No. 9 Cumberland (13-8, 11-6)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Redskins are back in the top 10.

 

No. 10. Lynn Camp (13-8, 7-8)

What’s the scoop: There are reasons why Williamsburg should be here. The Lady Yellow Jackets are 2-0 against Lynn Camp this season, but right now, the Lady Wildcats are playing better ball.

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Can't wait to see your rankings next week. I'll agree Clay has had some trouble with being consistent. However, that time has passed bring on South!!

I agree Clay Co looked Great last night against Corbin and looked even better today against Pike Central.

South Laurel knocked off #4 ranked E-Town tonight 69-67. Clay and South should be a dandy Monday night.

That's a very impressive win by South also.

Les likes an underdog, but Lynn Camp lost at home to Evarts after getting beat up at home by Cumberland. Barbourville and Williamsburg must be slumping very badly, so Cawood is probably No. 10. They split with Harlan and Cumberland. I'll still go with Clay as No. 1.