I just don't believe Clay should have been the No. 1 even if hooker was coming back.

 

Corbin should be No. 1 .... heck, Clay and that group hasn't even won a regional tourney game during the past three years.

 

That is a good point. But I saw Clay play this summer and I thought they were impressive. Losing Hooker takes a great athlete out of the lineup. Knox Central is also a very dangerous team, but with a new coach and not doing much this summer, there is some unknown there.

I agree. Don't get me wrong, Clay has talent, but losing Hooker hurts.

Clay was the best team this summer. I saw all of them several times at the AAU tournament. I think most of the coaches would tell you the same thing.

 

It's fun to debate, and that's what it's all about at this time of year. I get criticized for basing it on what happens in the summer, but you're going on what happened last year and so do all the people who use the "their Number 1 until someone beats them" theory.

 

Clay had five starters back from a good team. Corbin and South both lost some very good players and neither of them was that much better than Clay last year.

 

Clay may very well not win it in March, and if they lose in the first round again there will be some very loud complaints in Manchester, but they did look good in the summer and they have the most experienced team.

The Carr kid and the addition of the other kid has made South Laurel a VERY GOOD team. St. John has lost about 15 pounds and they are running and gunning it. You don't see that in the summer when not everyone has all of their players.

 

 

Clay had five starters back from a good team? A good team wins a regional tourney game once in a blue moon.

Clay was the best team this summer. I saw all of them several times at the AAU tournament. I think most of the coaches would tell you the same thing.

 

It's fun to debate, and that's what it's all about at this time of year. I get criticized for basing it on what happens in the summer, but you're going on what happened last year and so do all the people who use the "their Number 1 until someone beats them" theory.

 

Clay had five starters back from a good team. Corbin and South both lost some very good players and neither of them was that much better than Clay last year.

Clay may very well not win it in March, and if they lose in the first round again there will be some very loud complaints in Manchester, but they did look good in the summer and they have the most experienced team.

 

 

Not sure I agree with that statement based on the way the season ended, but I agree, this is an entirely new season and new teams. Clay being picked number 1 is a solid selection. I am sure the Tigers will enjoy carrying the bullseye on their backs.

Clay won't be a solid selection when other rankings come out in November.

 

Corbin was a WHOLE LOT better than Clay last season. Clay had no one to match-up with Crawford or Josh Smith.

With Hooker out this season, I drop Clay to 3rd-6th with Corbin and South battling it out for the Region Crown. Corbin and South are probably more equal this year than at any time before. The home team will have the slight advantage each time they play each other. I give Corbin a slight edge in bench depth/ experience.

Corbin beat Clay by 13 at home early in the season, but Clay got quite a bit better. Corbin was good all season.

 

I think Crawford and Smith are worth more than 13 points compared to who replaces them.

 

It's hard to compare scores, but:

 

Clay beat North Laurel 54-51 on Feb. 28

Corbin beat North Laurel 56-51 on March 9

Corbin beat Clay by 13 at home early in the season, but Clay got quite a bit better. Corbin was good all season.

 

I think Crawford and Smith are worth more than 13 points compared to who replaces them.

 

It's hard to compare scores, but:

 

Clay beat North Laurel 54-51 on Feb. 28

Corbin beat North Laurel 56-51 on March 9

 

How much did South Beat Clay by in the Region and then less than a week later Corbin beat South by 35 points in the finals. I agree it is hard to compare scores. No need to defend Clay as your pick. I would have picked them as well before the injury. Probably put South at 2 then Corbin at 3, if I were basing things on summer performance. I can not imagine how hard it is to write a preseason column in August. Lord knows, some kids quit, transfer, etc. Injuries all that factor is as well. It might be fun to see how well you have predicted the winner say the last 10 years or so. Do you have that kind of info HDE? I would guess you are better than .500.

Corbin was right last year.

I missed the year before with Corbin instead of South.

I had South right the two previous years, but that sure didn't take a genius.

I had Rockcastle or Cawood instead of Corbin the year before that.

 

It's really not that hard. I do one every March looking ahead to the next season. Things change, but 90 percent of the players stay the same. That's one reason I watch JV/frosh games whenever I can. That's part of the fun of looking ahead.

Corbin was right last year.

I missed the year before with Corbin instead of South.

I had South right the two previous years, but that sure didn't take a genius.

I had Rockcastle or Cawood instead of Corbin the year before that.

 

It's really not that hard. I do one every March looking ahead to the next season. Things change, but 90 percent of the players stay the same. That's one reason I watch JV/frosh games whenever I can. That's part of the fun of looking ahead.

 

Well, you do a great job. Many of us appreciate the hours you put into high school basketball in the 13th region. Sometimes calling it like you see it does not set well with others, but to truly do your job you have to call them like you see them. Should be an interesting year in the region. I think you will see some major upsets as well. I will be eagerly awaiting your preseason basketball edition. I think it is one of the best in the state.

Thanks

There have been some years where no one else follows high school basketball that much in our region, but Les and some of his writers have really turned it up in Corbin the past several years.

Thanks

There have been some years where no one else follows high school basketball that much in our region, but Les and some of his writers have really turned it up in Corbin the past several years.

 

Yes, Les is one of a kind. Jim McCallister does a nice job with the News Journal. I think Jim really cares about the students and tries his best to give them as much publicity as possible. He covers Whitley, Wburg and Corbin very, very well. We are lucky to have him down here in Whitley County. With a very limited staff, Jim puts out an outstanding sports section each week. I appreciate that he does not try to cover London or Barbourville and leaves that to the local papers in those communities as well. Jim does not get the credit he deserves many times.

I didn't mean to leave Jim out.

I read their paper every week, too.

Mitch Howard used to do a great job at the News Journal.

I didn't mean to leave Jim out.

I read their paper every week, too.

Mitch Howard used to do a great job at the News Journal.

 

 

In my opinion, which does not mean a great deal to many, Mitch Howard was the numero uno, top dog, A number one of all time, journalist to work in the Corbin area. His stories were genuine, well written, and always interesting to read. He found things off the court, which added to his stories. He did not play both ends against the middle, no hidden agendas, no play on words. If team A played bad he said so, If team B played well he said so. I think he was the best we have had in Corbin since Jim Lee Crawford.