These are my rankings for next year.

 

http://www.harlandaily.com/view/full_story/6860045/article-FROM-THE-SIDELINES-—-Changes-coming-slowly-in-region?instance=secondary_sports_left_column

Let a 13th region transplant and BGP rookie take a shot.

 

I like your all-region teams and top juniors...can't think of a name I would bump on those lists.

 

As for sophomores, I think Lee is a great shooter, but Lefevers at Bell is a better all-around player. I might keep both on the list and bump Begley. Wasn't he hurt much of the year? (Just reading HDE via internet and chasing boxscores, so correct me).

 

On freshmen, you list Merida in the preview paragraph as a junior to be. Is he a freshman? Either way, I think Byron Asher of Pineville merits a look, and I saw the Harlan PG (name?) hang in with Whitaker over here, have 13 assists against Lynn Camp, and control the game in beating Pineville late in the year. Lester told me later he was a freshman that finished the year with 145 assists. If that is true, I don't know if that leads the district or region, but I also don't know any freshman other than Olinger over here (Hazard) that had a greater contribution.

 

As for the team rankings, I might flip flop South, Corbin and Whitley, but it really doesn't matter, and I would put North on top of Harlan Co., Harlan and Barbourville.

Thanks for posting HDE....was always one of my favorite days when I lived in Harlan to get this article out of the paper box. Looking forward to Alex Seargent....grew up with his father and have heard a lot about him. Hope he does well.

This preview could change drastically depending on transfers. I don't know of any rumors specifically myself, but I've heard a lot of rumors about some guys moving around.

There are always rumors about some players/coaches moving around. Most of the rumors don't happen.

 

There are 10 or 11 freshmen you could make a case for, including Carson at North, Saragas at Harlan and a couple of others at Clay and South, plus Asher and Simpson at Pineville. I could have debated in my head for weeks, but I picked five and went with it. I did see a bunch of freshmen games this year and the regional freshmen tournament.

There are always rumors about some players/coaches moving around. Most of the rumors don't happen.

 

There are 10 or 11 freshmen you could make a case for, including Carson at North, Saragas at Harlan and a couple of others at Clay and South, plus Asher and Simpson at Pineville. I could have debated in my head for weeks, but I picked five and went with it. I did see a bunch of freshmen games this year and the regional freshmen tournament.

 

Your right, most don't happen, but if a couple do it will really shake things up. A transfer helped Harlan Co. win their district this year. I don't know about any other transfers this past year in the 13th I don't believe.

No doubt all of you saw more 13th Region ball than I did. Obviously, I haven't heard any transfer rumors from this side of the mountain either. I just didn't see such a 14th region article and enjoyed reading yours.

 

That said, and not wanting to change the topic, do the coaches or press vote on actual all-district or region teams? Also, do you have any information of any of the seniors in the 13th playing in college?

I didn't mean my opinion was more important than yours because I see more 13th Region basketball. It's fun to discuss, and that's why I posted it.

 

Coaches usually pick the all-district and all-regional teams during tournaments. The Cats Pause previews for the 13th and 14th are also voted on by coaches. This story was just me, with some contributions from John Middleton, our sports editor. He did a column on the girls 13th Region.

Your right, most don't happen, but if a couple do it will really shake things up. A transfer helped Harlan Co. win their district this year. I don't know about any other transfers this past year in the 13th I don't believe.

 

 

 

South Laurel got two and they were supposed to very good. As it turned out, one barely played and quit and the other was a reserve who could help next year.

Transfers play a big key in most every district and region in the state.

That may true, but you can't plan for it until it's official because most of the rumors don't become reality.

That may true, but you can't plan for it until it's official because most of the rumors don't become reality.

 

True dat.

HDE I find it interesting that you made no mention of the 2nd leading scorer in this years Jr. class. :idunno:

I had to look that one up because I knew the Bears didn't have any juniors who played a lot.

 

I'll just say I picked the five best I saw this year in the junior class. I thought he did some good things and carried the offense several times, but I'm sure the year away made him a little more inconsistent than he would have been otherwise. He could/should have a big senior season.

I had to look that one up because I knew the Bears didn't have any juniors who played a lot.

 

I'll just say I picked the five best I saw this year in the junior class. I thought he did some good things and carried the offense several times, but I'm sure the year away made him a little more inconsistent than he would have been otherwise. He could/should have a big senior season.

 

Agreed. I was just jacking you up...overall good article...I can see only one other issue I disagree with on the top returning freshman. That said, hopefully being left off "the list" will motivate him to work very hard in the off season:thumb: