Enjoy. :thumb:

 

Boys Top 5

 

1. Corbin (21-3 overall, 14-2 against 13th Region foes)

 

What’s the scoop: That loss to South Laurel a couple of weeks ago looks like it has woke up the state’s No. 9 ranked team. Since the Redhounds’ loss to the Cardinals’, Tony Pietrowski’s squad is 3-0 with wins over North Laurel, Williamsburg and Middlesboro.

 

Surprise, surprise: Corbin’s average margin of victory during its past three games is an impressive 39.9 points per game. That’s pretty impressive folks.

 

Josh Crawford dished out a 33-point effort against Middlesboro this past Tuesday and that could spell big trouble for opposing teams in the future.

 

What’s ahead: The Redhounds will be back in action Friday at home against FCI Academy before traveling to play Lynn Camp on Saturday. The Redhounds will finish regular season play on Feb. 20 on the road against Harlan.

 

2. South Laurel (17-7, 9-2)

 

What’s the scoop: If you take away South Laurel’s wins over both Corbin and Clay County, you could honestly say the Cardinals are a struggling team right now. South Laurel is 3-3 during its past six games, which includes this past Tuesday’s disappointing loss to Clinton County.

 

Surprise, surprise: South Laurel did mange to pick up an impressive win over Clay County this past week, but its loss to Clinton County hurts.

 

The Cardinals were without Matt St. John for most of the second and third quarters and ended up losing to the Bulldogs, 64-56. Steve Wright’s squad also received some bad news on Wednesday after getting the No. 2 seed in the 50th District Tournament, which means a third match-up with Whitley County. The Cardinals own a three-point and six-point win over the Colonels during the regular season.

 

What’s ahead: South Laurel gets a test Friday on the road against cross-town rival North Laurel. The Jaguars have been playing better as of late. The Cardinals will be back in action Tuesday on the road against Casey County.

 

3. Clay County (13-11, 5-3)

 

What’s the scoop: The Tigers are struggling and that might be an understatement. But I will say that Kevin Spurlock’s squad has played a very tough schedule the past two weeks.

 

Surprise, surprise: Clay County has dropped three games in a row and four out of its last six games. But those losses have came against South Laurel, Trinity, George Rogers Clark and Bryan Station. The Tigers need to get back on track before post-season play begins.

 

What’s ahead: Clay County will be back in action today at home against Pineville and will host FCI Academy Saturday before hosting Tates Creek on Tuesday.

 

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 have been taking it easy for the past week. Matter of fact, Brandon Elam’s squad hasn’t even played a game yet this month. The last time the Panthers played was on Jan. 30, which was a 66-63 win over Wayne County.

 

What’s ahead: The Panthers’ road game against Whitley County today triggers a four-game road trip for Knox Central. Elam’s squad will travel to play Bell County Friday before hitting the road again Saturday to play Hazard. Now that’s an impressive stretch of games, if I have to say so myself.

 

5. Pineville (16-9, 11-4)

 

What’s the scoop: J.D. Strange’s squad continues to remain at the No. 5 spot with both North Laurel and Whitley County nipping at their heels.

 

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 gets a major test today on the road against Clay County and will be back in action on Tuesday at home against Jim Conway’s North Laurel Jaguars.

 

The Best of the rest

 

No. 6 North Laurel (11-13, 4-5)

 

What’s the scoop: Since losing to Corbin by 44 points, North Laurel has captured impressive road wins over Rockcastle County and Harlan County. If the Jaguars reach the 13th Region Tournament, they might pull off an upset.

 

No. 7 Whitley County (13-11, 8-5)

 

What’s the scoop: Chris Baker’s squad is starting to catch fire at the right time.

 

No. 8 Middlesboro (17-6, 10-5)

 

What’s the scoop: The Yellow Jackets are struggling. Middlesboro is 2-4 during its past six games.

 

No. 9 Harlan County (12-12, 5-8)

 

What’s the scoop: The Black Bears are another team that is struggling right now.

 

No. 10 Bell County (9-11, 4-8)

 

What’s the scoop: Sticking with the struggling theme in the 52nd District, the Bobcats are another team that’s having a hard time picking up wins.

Another week another good set of rankings. The 13th region has been a roller coaster this year with the exception of Corbin. I think the Hounds are clearly the favorites but as South and KC proved, they can be knocked off. Just goes to show how rivalries can make rankings go to the can during the regular season. It's hard to fathom a team that loses to Clinton County can beat Corbin and a team that gets drilled by Clay and dominated over the break can beat the Hounds too. I hate Corbin lost those two games but that's why I love the rivalries in Eastern Kentucky. The overall strength may be down in the 13th with the exception of Corbin but the pride of all of these schools are still alive and well. I think we are going to be in for a fun next 3 weeks.

Really no reason to comment on the 52nd, all of the teams are just not playing very good at the end of the season.