Boys Top 5

 

1. Corbin (10-2 overall, 4-0 against 13th Region foes)

What’s the scoop: The defending regional champions continue to march along during their attempts to capture a second straight 13th Region championship. Corbin continues to develop depth which will make them very difficult to beat come post-season time.

 

Surprise, surprise: Senior Isaac Wilson scored 26 points against Middlesboro on Tuesday and continues to show why he is one of the best players in the 13th Region. Wilson provides solid defensive play and offensive play for the Redhounds. I know I’ve said this a million times, but he is one of the most underrated players in the state.

 

What’s ahead: Corbin will be back in action Friday on the road against 50th District foe Williamsburg and won’t be back in action again until the following Friday against Whitley County.

 

2. Clay County (9-4, 1-1)

What’s the scoop: The Tigers are quietly putting together a solid season so far. Clay County has lots of talent, so we’ll see if coach Kevin Spurlock can take his team to the next level.

 

Surprise, surprise: The Tigers are winners of five straight and knocked off Perry Central 50-48 in the first round of the WYMT Classic on Tuesday and that’s a pretty solid win. The Commodores were coming off a nine-point win against Buckhorn, who has defeated both South Laurel and Harlan County.

 

What’s ahead: Clay County will be back in action on Friday against one of the state’s top teams in Shelby Valley.

 

3. South Laurel (9-5, 5-1)

What’s the scoop: I still believe South Laurel has some of the best talent around, but the Cardinals are missing something right now, and I just can’t put my finger on it.

 

Surprise, surprise: South Laurel did record an impressive 60-53 win over Pleasure Ridge Park, who is ranked in the state’s Top 25 poll, but Steve Wright’s squad hasn’t peaked yet, and probably won’t until late February.

 

What’s ahead: The Cardinals will get a test today at home against 50th District foe Whitley County, who the Colonels have beaten earlier in the season and don’t be surprised to see the two teams meet again during the first round of the 50th District Tournament.

 

4. Harlan County (10-3, 3-1)

What’s the scoop: This is the highest the Black Bears have ever been ranked, but I really don’t see them moving up any further unless they pull off a major upset somewhere down the road. Don’t get me wrong, Mike Jones has done an outstanding job with Harlan County, but there is a big distance between the top three teams in the region and everyone else.

 

Surprise, surprise: The only thing that surprises me about the Black Bears is their 14-point loss to Knox Central on the road. Harlan County was never really in the game, and since that loss, Knox Central has been pummeled by some other 13th Region teams. So with that said, the Black Bears remain a mystery team.

 

What’s ahead: Harlan County will be back in action today with a road match-up against 52nd District foe Bell County. The Black Bears will host Middlesboro on Saturday in another 52nd District contest.

 

5. Lynn Camp (6-5, 4-2)

What’s the scoop: Welcome to the Top Five, Wildcats. This is Lynn Camp’s first appearance in my Top five rankings, and to be honest, they deserve it — for now. To remain as one of the top five teams in the 13th Region, the Wildcats need to be more consistent. That means no more losses to teams such as Jackson County and Pineville.

 

Surprise, surprise: Lynn Camp’s 76-56 win over Knox Central this past Monday marks only the second time the Wildcats have beaten their rivals since 1963. Now I want to see how they respond after the big win. They’ll be tested Friday on the road against district foe Barbourville. A win over the Tigers would put Lynn Camp in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the 51st District Tournament.

 

What’s ahead: The Wildcats will play Barbourville on the road on Friday, and will host Pineville on Tuesday — both games are crucial.

 

No. 6 Knox Central (6-5, 3-4)

What’s the scoop: I know we’re only at the halfway point of the season, but Knox Central could be in trouble. The Panthers’ 3-4 record against 13th Region teams is alarming.

 

No. 7 Whitley County (6-7, 4-1)

What’s the scoop: The Colonels can’t seem to find any consistency right now.

 

No. 8 Jackson County (4-6, 2-0)

What’s the scoop: The Generals’ two wins in the 13th Region came against Lynn Camp and North Laurel.

 

No. 9 Bell County (5-6, 2-3)

What’s the scoop: The Bobcats will get better as the season progresses.

 

No. 10 North Laurel (5-10, 2-2)

What’s the scoop: The Jaguars have played the toughest schedule in the 13th Region so far, and as long as Adrian Wardrup is scoring 20 points a game, they remain dangerous.

Looks pretty good!

 

I would have South at the #2 spot, but other than that, I agree. I think South's win over PRP is more impressive than Clay's win over PCC - both were great wins for the 13th region, though.

Knox Central is the surprise in the region. They have top 2 or 3 talent in the region, but continue to struggle. I believe they have not played a good game as a team since the Harlan Co. game. Miller had over 30 points in that game against the Bears.

Knox Central is the surprise in the region. They have top 2 or 3 talent in the region, but continue to struggle. I believe they have not played a good game as a team since the Harlan Co. game. Miller had over 30 points in that game against the Bears.

 

I don't think they've been the same since the Harlan County game.

Glad to see NL make it into the top ten. They have played some really tough and talented teams. Adrian Wardrup is the bright spot on the team and has really been the one that has kept them in the games that they have won. When I look at the records listed, I cringe at that 5-10 mark, but as Les said, they have played a tough schedule.

Knox Central is the surprise in the region. They have top 2 or 3 talent in the region, but continue to struggle. I believe they have not played a good game as a team since the Harlan Co. game. Miller had over 30 points in that game against the Bears.

 

I've been at three of their games since the Harlan County game, and this is a team that does not won't to be on the court.

 

I believe they have internal issues, and that hinders their play. Miller is playing very pedestrian right now, and the other players are just tagging along.

 

Maybe the coaching change wasn't such a good idea, after all.

Bump

I've been at three of their games since the Harlan County game, and this is a team that does not won't to be on the court.

 

I believe they have internal issues, and that hinders their play. Miller is playing very pedestrian right now, and the other players are just tagging along.

 

Maybe the coaching change wasn't such a good idea, after all.

 

I think its a down right shame that politics play such an important part in the Knox County schools. There is talent there but it seems by the time they get to the high school level. Interest is lost or there beat down. I hate it for the kids.

I think its a down right shame that politics play such an important part in the Knox County schools. There is talent there but it seems by the time they get to the high school level. Interest is lost or there beat down. I hate it for the kids.

 

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