Enjoy.:thumb:

 

Boys Top 5

 

1. Corbin (20-3 overall, 13-2 against 13th Region foes)

 

What’s the scoop: The Redhounds remain at the top spot despite their 66-58 loss to 50th District rival South Laurel last week. The loss to the Cardinals snapped Corbin’s 15-game win streak, but it might have actually been a good thing. Sometimes losses can allow a team to regain their focus.

 

Surprise, surprise: So how did Tony Pietrowski’s squad respond after losing their first squad since Dec. 20, 2008? Well, let’s just say they responded well.

 

The Redhounds handed North Laurel a 96-52 loss the following day after losing to South Laurel and recorded a convincing 75-34 win over 50th District foe Williamsburg this past Tuesday — that’s a margin of victory average of 43 points, which is VERY impressive.

 

What’s ahead: Corbin’s game against Pineville, which was scheduled to be played Friday has been cancelled, so the Redhounds won’t be back in action again until Monday’s match-up with Middlesboro.

 

2. Clay County (13-8, 5-2)

 

What’s the scoop: The Tigers continue to run over 13th Region opponents and could very well make a run for the region title. A lot of talk has been focused on just Corbin and South Laurel, but Kevin Spurlock is quietly putting together a solid season over in Manchester.

 

Surprise, surprise: Clay County rebounded from its 14-point loss to Bryan Station last week by recording double-digit wins over both Harlan County and Middlesboro.

 

The Tigers handed the Black Bears a 77-54 loss and followed with a convincing 78-55 win over Middlesboro at home.

 

What’s ahead: Clay County will be back in action Friday at home against South Laurel. If the Tigers can get past the Cardinals, then Spurlock’s squad just might be for real. Clay County won’t get much time to celebrate if the Tigers win because a road game against Trinity is scheduled the following day before another tough road trip against George Rogers Clark on on Tuesday.

 

3. South Laurel (16-6, 8-2)

 

What’s the scoop: South Laurel received a BIG confidence booster when the Cardinals knocked off Corbin last week, 66-58. The win might have reminded the other teams in the 13th Region that South Laurel is still the three-time defending region champion. Despite the win, I’m keeping South Laurel at the No. 3 spot because Corbin responded with two big wins, while Clay County continues to roll.

 

Surprise, surprise: One concern this season for South Laurel has been its bench play, but things look to be on the rise after Hunter Sizemore came off the bench and hit a big three-pointer against Williamsburg, while finishing the game with six points. Tyler Huff and Eric Wright continue to play solid, too. Another player that has looked as if he has stepped up is junior guard Matthew Gilbert. He hit some key shots against Corbin and continues to be one of the most underrated players in the 13th Region.

 

What’s ahead: The Cardinals begin a five-game road trip Friday against 13th Region rival Clay County. South Laurel will be back in action Tuesday against Clinton County before playing rival North Laurel on Friday.

 

4. Knox Central (12-7, 9-3)

 

What’s the scoop: The Panthers continue to be a dangerous team. If Knox Central reaches the 13th Region Tournament, I guarantee you that no team would want to draw Brandon Elam’s squad.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Panthers were able to come away with a big win against Wayne County at home last week, but the snow kept Knox Central from playing Whitley County this past Tuesday.

 

What’s ahead: The Panthers will travel to play Knox Central next Thursday. Knox Central will travel to play Bell County next Friday and will follow that up with a road game against Hazard on Saturday.

 

5. Pineville (15-9, 10-4)

 

What’s the scoop: J.D. Strange’s squad posted a 1-1 record during the All A Classic State Tournament and continues to impress this season.

 

Surprise, surprise: If the Mountain Lions can reach the 13th Region Tournament, they might be able to put a scare in a team. When you have a player like James Strange on your roster, anything can happen.

 

What’s ahead: Pineville’s game against Corbin has been cancelled, so the Mountain Lions will hit the road with a contest against Clay County next Thursday.

 

The Best of the rest

 

No. 6 North Laurel (9-13, 3-5)

 

What’s the scoop: To b honest, there are a handful of teams that can be put in the remaining five slots, but I’m still going with North Laurel. I believe they just caught Corbin at the wrong time last week. The Jaguars did receive some good news by drawing Red Bird in the 49th District Tournament. A win over the Cardinals will advance North Laurel to the 49th District finals and a berth into the 13th Region Tournament.

 

No. 7 Middlesboro (16-4, 9-3)

 

What’s the scoop: The Yellow Jackets have suffered three losses to regional opponents during the past two weeks.

 

No. 8 Whitley County (10-11, 7-5)

 

What’s the scoop: The Colonels haven’t played since Jan. 27, but will hit the road this weekend to play both Caverna and Hart County.

 

No. 9 Harlan County (11-10, 4-7)

 

What’s the scoop: The Black Bears are 2-3 during their last five games.

 

No. 10 Bell County (8-10, 4-7)

 

What’s the scoop: The Bobcats have a big game against Middlesboro on Friday. If Bell County can win this game, then they’ll be moving up in the rankings.

Kevin Spurlock will have Clay County ready to play come Tournament time. The tough schedule that they have played will only make them tougher. I like this team!

Kevin Spurlock will have Clay County ready to play come Tournament time. The tough schedule that they have played will only make them tougher. I like this team!

 

Like him or not, Spurlock is a great coach.

This is the thing about Spurlock. He really doesn't care if you like him or not. As long as his team is playing well, that's all that matters. And thats the only way to survive in the coaching business. Especially at such traditional powers as Hazard and Clay County.

Edited February 5, 200917 yr by bugatti

I really believe the Tigers are overlooked.

I agree that the Tigers have been overlooked and are the 2nd best team in the region, but I just do not see them being able to match up against Corbin.

I agree that the Tigers have been overlooked and are the 2nd best team in the region, but I just do not see them being able to match up against Corbin.

 

I think they are #3 behind Corbin and South Laurel, ... but they are in the mix, no doubt.

 

And while North Laurel got a nice draw for the district, I still HATE the blind draw.

Good list and I too think that Clay County will be a force down the stretch. I think teams like Corbin and South would fare better against them due to Clay not having that big bruiser they are so accustomed to having in the past. However, they have some nice guard play and when those boys get hot, 3 points > 2 points. Keep an eye out on the Tigers.

Clay's been in the top four or five since the summer, so I don't think anyone has forgotten them.

 

Spurlock always does a good job, but Clay has lost in the first round of the regional the past two years. I wonder when the last time that's happened.

In the hot-bed (LOL) of the 13th Region HDE, most of the talk has been about both Corbin and South and not much of Clay County, which should be in any discussion of region favorites, along with Knox Central.

Good list and I too think that Clay County will be a force down the stretch. I think teams like Corbin and South would fare better against them due to Clay not having that big bruiser they are so accustomed to having in the past. However, they have some nice guard play and when those boys get hot, 3 points > 2 points. Keep an eye out on the Tigers.

 

Thanks Hank.:thumb:

The first five look good to me.

In the hot-bed (LOL) of the 13th Region HDE, most of the talk has been about both Corbin and South and not much of Clay County, which should be in any discussion of region favorites, along with Knox Central.

 

I didn't realize Corbin and South had forgotten about everyone else.

 

That's been the top four since last April though.

Clay's been in the top four or five since the summer, so I don't think anyone has forgotten them.

 

Spurlock always does a good job, but Clay has lost in the first round of the regional the past two years. I wonder when the last time that's happened.

 

My Question is what will happen IF they continue this trend this year. That is something to think about! I know what will happen but does everybody else know?

Let me guess... Billy Gillespie will take over at Clay Co. and Bobby Keith will take over at Kentucky... just a guess!