article 13th Region Week 5 Review

1. South Laurel (12-1 overall, 4-0 vs. 13th Region opposition)

The Cardinals are winners of 12 straight after posting a 3-0 record in the Legacy Nissan Dribble Drive Challenge. They were able to capture two Tournament titles during Christmas Break, and will face-off against Harlan County for the second time this season on Saturday during the Raymond Reed Classic.

2. Clay County (14-0, 4-0)

The Tigers are rolling, and look quite impressive.

Glenn Gray’s squad hasn’t lost yet this season, and added another tournament championship after winning the Cumberland Falls Invitational Tournament this past week by defeating Corbin in the finals, 70-59.

Clay County is for real folks, and will get another chance at showing just how good it is on Thursday with a home game against North Laurel.

3. Knox Central (10-2, 2-1)

The Panthers continue to look impressive after posting a 7-1 mark since their loss to Clay County in early December.

Tony Patterson’s squad takes care of business each game out, and has been doing it in impressive fashion.

Knox Central has a solid group of players that is talented enough to make another run at the 13th Region title. If people believe the region is only a two team race between South Laurel and Clay County, they’re in for a rude awakening.

4. Harlan County (11-4, 4-2)

The Black Bears are another team that has been quietly putting together a solid season.

Harlan County posted a combined 4-2 mark during the two tournaments it participated in over the holidays, including an impressive run in South Laurel’s legacy Nissan Dribble Drive Challenge.

Michael Jones’ squad reaches the finals of the tournament before falling to South Laurel in the finals, 52-45. The game was close throughout, and the Black Bears showed they have enough talent to win the 13th Region championship.

5. North Laurel (8-6, 3-2)

The Jaguars remain in the top five, but barely.

Coach Brad Sizemore’s squad has been struggling as of late, going 3-6 over its past nine games after starting the season with five straight wins.

North Laurel has the talent to surprise this season, but needs to continue to improve in some spots.

Eighth grader Reed Sheppard continues to impress along with post player Landon Young.

6. Corbin (7-3, 4-2)

Injuries haven’t slowed down the Redhounds, who advanced to the finals of the Cumberland Falls Invitational before falling to Clay County, 70-59.

Corbin will host its second tournament during the past two weeks beginning today. The Redhounds will host the 13th Region Class 2A Tournament with hopes of brining a region championship home.

Tony Pietrowski’s squad will open tournament play against Bell County, a team Corbin defeated last week, 64-49.

If the Redhounds get past the Bobcats, they’ll face-off against the winner of Jackson County and Knox Central in the title game.

7. Bell County (6-6, 2-5)

The Bobcats can’t seem to find much consistency, but remain at the No. 7 spot.

Bell County posted a 2–1 record in last week’s Cumberland Falls Invitational Tournament with hopes of having an even better effort in this week’s 13th Region Class 2A Tournament.

The big concern to me is The Bobcats’ 2-5 mark against regional opponents.

8. Barbourville (10-3, 8-1)

The Tigers turned in solid play over Christmas break by posting a 3-0 record in last week’s Pineville Mountain Classic

Barbourville had two key wins against teams (Pineville and Williamsburg) they could be facing in next week’s 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic Tournament.

The Tigers will have two key district games this week against Pineville and Lynn Camp.

9. Harlan (10-5, 3-4)

The Green Dragons have turned in two consecutive impressive showings in separate holiday tournaments during Christmas Break.

They’ve won six games in a row, and are considered by many as the front-runners in next week’s 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic Tournament.

An interesting tidbit is who Harlan will open up against in the first round of the tournament — Barbourville. If the Green Dragons aren’t the team to beat, the Tigers are.

10. Middlesboro (8-4, 3-3)

The Yellow Jackets are coming on strong after getting off to a somewhat slow start.

Middlesboro posted a 2– record in last week’s Gateway Holiday Classic with its lone loss coming to Montgomery County.

11. Williamsburg (6-6, 4-6)

The Yellow Jackets remain a dangerous team, but can’t seem to get any consistency going so far.

12. Lynn Camp (7-2, 4-1)

The Wildcats continue to surprise and have three keys 51st District games coming up against Barbourville, Knox Central and Pineville.

13. Whitley County (9-6, 0-4)

The Colonels are looking good, and seem to be improving each game, but an 0-4 mark against regional opponents keep me from moving them up any higher.

14. Red Bird (5-4, 3-3)

The Cardinals were winners of three straight before falling to Barbourville on Dec. 14.

Red Bird will try to get back in track today at home against Buckhorn after taking more than two weeks off due to Christmas Break.

15. Pineville (5-9, 1-7)

The Mountain Lions recorded a big win over Jackson County, and continue to improve.

16. Jackson County (4-10, 1-7)

The Generals aren’t winning, but they are improved. They’ve played some of the better teams in the region close, and recorded a nice win over Williamsburg.

17. Oneida Baptist (2-6, 2-4)

The Mountaineers so own wins over both Pineville and Jackson County, but they’ve lost four in a row since those respective victories.

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