With the season not even a month away from starting, who do you think should be ranked in the top 5 to start the season in the the 13th region.

 

I say:

1. Clay County

2. Middlesboro

3. North Laurel

4. Corbin

5. Harlan County

 

While I don't think South should be up there to start, you always have to respect a program of their tradition. They will be there come tournament time.

 

Any thoughts?

I'm not sure about Middlesbor being at two right now, maybe North two and Middlesboro 3.

Doesn't matter everyone else playing for second. Clay is the team to beat.

Of course they're the team to beat. They are regional champs and return most of their team. I hope they have as big a head as some of their fans though. I will say this though, Middlesboro should have beaten them in the semis last year. They looked like the better team.

I can understand that opinion (even though I hate NL). NL looked so bad against Corbin to end the year tho. NL will play Middlesboro this year tho so that should solve this debate for us.

1. Clay County

2. Corbin

3. Harlan County

4. Knox Central

5. North Laurel

6. Middlesboro

 

* Other than those, everyone else has something to prove to be considered. M'boro should not be in top 3-4 because they lost top pitching from a year ago. They have something to prove in that area in order to be considered at top. KC has new coach who seems to be a program builder and returns pretty well everyone from what may have been the most talented team in the region a year ago. They may be the sleeper of the region. Clay County is obvious number one with so much returning from regional champions. However, I believe they just got hot and things went their way during the region last year. They are not that far ahead of the other teams as they have obvious weaknesses. Corbin & North Laurel are well coached and could make the case for the best team. Harlan County may be the other sleeper as their young team is a year older and a little more experienced. They could make some real noise in the region.

 

Other teams that have something to prove before being considered in top part of region are Whitley County, South Laurel, Jackson County, Barbourville, Williamsburg, & Bell County. These teams could make a name for themselves, but will have much to prove after some had dismal seasons a year ago. Jackson County could be a team that makes a little noise as they gave Clay a close call in the postseason. SL is well coached and has good middle school talent, so they may be a couple of years away. Whitley is one team that could be good. Bell County had a dismal last season but is under new coaching while returning the core of the team a year ago. Barbourville & Williamsburg are single A schools that will compete, but are not strong contenders.

 

Other teams that are at the bottom are Lynn Camp, Pineville, Harlan, Red Bird, & Oneida Baptist. These teams likely get out of the programs what they put into it. Sometimes they have good years, but at the moment, they have a long way to go to be in top half of region.

Actually I think Middlesboro only lost two pitchers. While both were good, the lefty sophomore they return 2 hit Clay County last year as a freshman. They will be very good. I'm excited to see how their game with Knox Central in week 1 turns out. Plus, if not for any other reason at all, you have to put them top 3 based on Bill Powell. He's a KHSBCA Hall of Fame coach for a reason.

 

I have no clue why Harlan County is so high on your list. They didn't win their district and got bounced first round of region. Heck they got beat 3 times by Middlesboro last year. While Lewis was a good player, I have my doubts about his coaching.

 

Knox Central will be a very tough team this year. Going into the season, they have the ace of the region in King.

 

Bell County lost a great coach in John Smith and now has some coach that has been out of a coaching gig for a few years. Plus, they don't return the core of their team at all. lol. They lost quite a few guys. I see them getting beat early and often.

 

There are actually quite a few single A schools in our region. I know that Middlesboro has won the All "A" regional and sectional tournaments the last two years with Williamsburg being their top opponent in the region.

 

I will be very interested to see what Whitley and South do this year.

Actually I think Middlesboro only lost two pitchers. While both were good, the lefty sophomore they return 2 hit Clay County last year as a freshman. They will be very good. I'm excited to see how their game with Knox Central in week 1 turns out. Plus, if not for any other reason at all, you have to put them top 3 based on Bill Powell. He's a KHSBCA Hall of Fame coach for a reason.

 

I have no clue why Harlan County is so high on your list. They didn't win their district and got bounced first round of region. Heck they got beat 3 times by Middlesboro last year. While Lewis was a good player, I have my doubts about his coaching.

 

Knox Central will be a very tough team this year. Going into the season, they have the ace of the region in King.

 

Bell County lost a great coach in John Smith and now has some coach that has been out of a coaching gig for a few years. Plus, they don't return the core of their team at all. lol. They lost quite a few guys. I see them getting beat early and often.

 

There are actually quite a few single A schools in our region. I know that Middlesboro has won the All "A" regional and sectional tournaments the last two years with Williamsburg being their top opponent in the region.

 

I will be very interested to see what Whitley and South do this year.

 

 

Harlan County returns 7 starters and ALL of their pitching. Middlesboro beat HC in the district championship game 3-2 in 8 innings and HC lost to Corbin in the regional tournament on a walk-off home run.......

 

Here is how i see it to start the season.

 

1. Clay

2. Knox

3. Corbin

4. Harlan County

5. North Laurel

You would have that top 5. Now don't get me wrong, I did have HC at #5 in my poll. But they are not better than NL and they are definitely not better than Middlesboro. While it did go into extra innings in the district championship, Middlesboro beat them earlier in the 5-6 and 10-15. Swept. They also lost to NL 5-8. And before you say how many starters you return, tell me how many starters NL and Middlesboro return? If you don't know, then how many you be sure HC is returning a better situation?

 

All banter aside, I am pumped that it is March and that baseball season is here. SL opens the season with KC at home. Talk about a tough opener.

Actually I think Middlesboro only lost two pitchers. These two were their best. While I agree they will be good with Billy Powell, they have much to prove in the pitching dept. first.

 

I have no clue why Harlan County is so high on your list. Harlan County returns a lot and challenged M'boro last year for district. But the pitching that beat them last year is now graduated.

 

Knox Central will be a very tough team this year. Going into the season, they have the ace of the region in King. And with a new and what I believe will be a very good coach, they could be argued for top team in the region.

 

Bell County lost a great coach in John Smith and now has some coach that has been out of a coaching gig for a few years. Plus, they don't return the core of their team at all. lol. They lost quite a few guys. I see them getting beat early and often. They only lose 2 players from last year from what I understand, and have a very talented group of young kids. But, like I said, before they can be mentioned anywhere near the top, they have much to prove. They could turn some heads, but I'll wait till I see them play first. Still skeptical at the moment.

Bell County has a great group of young kids...who have decided not to play up but to play their 8th grade season with their middle school team. From what I understand, they will be dismal.

 

Knox Central's coach is a very up-and-coming coach. I am excited to see what they put on the field next year. Unfortunately, even if they win their district, if they draw a tough first round opponent who didn't win their district, like the loser of Middlesboro/Harlan County, Corbin/Whitley/South, or Clay/North, then I don't see them being able to win the regional title. Don't get me wrong, they have a great ace that can beat anyone and a solid number 2 in Bailey. But, if they are forced to throw either on in the first round, I don't think they will have enough steam in the championship. I understand this is just a prediction of my own, but it just seems their team isn't great without either two on the mound.

 

If I remember correctly about Middlesboro/Harlan County, the Cox kid pitched for Middlesboro in their first meeting when they beat HC on the road. Cox is back this year.

Obviously I am a Tiger fan, so I''m just curious about what you see as Clay Co.'s "obvious weakneses"? I'm not offended by the comment, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion, just curious!

Obviously I am a Tiger fan, so I''m just curious about what you see as Clay Co.'s "obvious weakneses"? I'm not offended by the comment, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion, just curious!

 

They are a high school team. Last year, they struggled to consistently throw a curve ball for a strike down the stretch; however, they made up for it by throwing hard. They fielded well, but made many mistakes/errors that could have been very costly had the other teams been able to take advantage. With that said, they did hit really well and are definitely the favorites in the 13th. I just think that they are not that far ahead of other well-coached teams in the 13th and could lose to any of the top 5-6 teams on a given night. Not dogging them, just stating that they have weaknesses and are very capable of losing to quite a few teams around the region.

Well, Clay handled Corbin 7-0 last night.

Well, Clay handled Corbin 7-0 last night.

 

Indeed they did. And let me add that while they are capable of losing to quite a few teams around the region, they are just as capable of putting a 10-run rule on anyone in the region as well if they are clicking on all cylinders. I believe Clay will win the region, but they don't have it locked. I think they could win a game or two at state if they can consistently throw the deuce for strikes, change speeds on pitching, and don't just rely on throwing the ball by teams. We all know they can flat out hit as well as any team in the region and possibly the eastern part of the state.