Waterboy70

Great region coverage. I believe HC has its easiest game of the tournament in the championship and coasts. If Corbin has a chance Curry will have to play the best game of his career(and he could, good kid). As far as next year goes 2 big rumors are already flying regarding Clay losing a player and Mabe moving to Huntington Prep with his AAU teammate. As always the offseason are wild.

It happened in the opening game. South Laurel held him to 16 and got him in foul trouble trying to guard their big. The role player’s stepped up

They are a good team but unfortunately have zero post at this point. There starting center(Walker) is already severely undersized but also playing on a torn ACL according to numerous posts. They have a very good perimeter team but the Arena destroys perimeter teams(had FOUR airballs in the first half last night). The Arena with the massive backdrops is a nightmare for teams, Great place for the schools in terms of revenue but destroys perimeter teams.

I'm guessing you weren't at the arena last night. Corbin played horrible in the first half but better in the 2nd half. However Jackson exposed Corbins biggest weakness--they have Zero post defense. North Laurel(If not Knox with Collins) will destroy Corbin in the Finals. Corbin has 2 really good players and several that are worried about their own stats(and this is the key reason why Wilson will quit after this season). Norths size is untouchable in the 13th.

Definitely getting down to the nitty gritty of the season. At the start of the season I said the Region winner would either be HC, Corbin, or SL. Still hearing of turmoil over who is the alpha dog at Clay, plus they have no one who can match up with Noah or Mabe--depending on the draw I believe they will make it to the Final Four. Corbin as they shown at the NL loss doesn't have a pressure player(going 13-30 from the line hurts as well). HC has 2 of the 4 most dominant players in the region although I still think the Arena backdrop will hurt them as it has the last 2 seasons, and although Mabe has only been back for 2 games and from the looks(at the Harlan city game) is maybe 80%. Butttttt he is the heart and soul of that team and just knowing they have him has completely turned that team around. Mabe is the only player who can slow Noah down in the region(have played them very close the last 2 seasons) and Rawlings does a good job against Huff, I think they will be the last 2 standing(again depending on the draw). Great list!

In case anyone didn’t see last night NL beat Corbin in 2ot and Mabe is def back for SL with a 30pt win over #2 Bell County.

I agree with you on this 100%. When I saw them at the KOB and have seen a couple of their better players at AAU thru the years I don't think they can beat a good team--just my opinion though.

In the 13th everyone is picking HC and I would as well if the regional tourney was held anywhere other than the Corbin Arena. Historically teams that live and die on perimeter play tend to die at the Arena. Horrible backdrop for basketball. And in the past 2 years HC has played awful at the Arena. That being said I believe Clay county or South Laurel(If Mabe is back and 90%) will win the 13th.

You may want to rethink that 13th Reg pick lol, they are in the 12th.

As usual a spot on list. Harlan co is the best team in the region on paper but I still think they struggle at the Arena as they historically have in the past(the worst venue in the state for teams that are perimeter based). Personally I think Clay co(although I'm not sold on them yet I still think their may be some internal issues lingering but I can't confirm)has jumped Corbin(still doesn't have a go to scorer at this point in the season) to be my favorite at the Arena. And look out because was told that Mabe for SL was without the Knee Brace at Whitley co a couple of nights ago, he is a gamechanger as he is the only player in the region who can look Noah eye to eye(actually looks down at him) and can play at the same level. If he makes it back 100% before season end they will be a load. Bell county continues to be solid, just because this may be Sizemores best coaching job in memory. Great list and thoughts on each team

Absolutely crazy in the 13th right now! Almost every team has taken a loss or a upset win lol. Harlan county is still the big favorite although Pikeville definately showed how they can be beaten. Don't look now but is Clay County starting to figure it out(they are like Ky weather--no idea what you are going to get). Corbin is still a tough out but Clay showed their 2 glaring weaknesses--no inside game and no goto scorer. Rumor is a certain big kid in London is at games without a knee brace on and running now. Somehow Knox has the inside track to that district now(Huge turnaround for them) and now Jackson "upsets" Whitley. North has won 3 in a row but the injury bug has hit them hard supposedly. Crazy times in the 13th right now

Months?? By the history I’d say years lol. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t this the first year without dadyball coaching em?

And normally I agree, but this has gone on since 2ND grade that I know of. Their is zero accountability by the boys. Blake is one of the greatest scorers in Kentucky history and has 1 Juco offer I think? Could not find any AAU teams the last couple of years because of the attitude. What happens when life after ball begins? Don't enable these boys someone should have had a intervention with him and the parents years ago and maybe the situation wouldn't be what it is. To be blunt his High School career is over even if he comes back his teammates will remember this drama. Its beyond sad its actually disgusting its went on as long as it has.

Have watched the kids and parents since maybe 2nd grade and am not surprised at all by this--actually surprised it has taken this long. A couple years ago they(boys) came in our lockerroom after a game talking smack--after we beat them lol. Complete trainwreck. Prayers and wishes that they get their stuff together before HS is over because adulthood will smack em in the mouth. And the younger is actually a really good kid away from the court. Good luck to them

Honestly I thought Clay have won this game walking away…..and they did in the first half then fell apart in the 2nd. NL has zero inside presence and Clay exploited it early. NL strength is perimeter and guard play and it finally showed late in the game. Verdict is out on which team would win on a neutral floor but neither will be a factor at region in my opinion

To many individuals playing for themselves and no one willing to sacrifice for the team. Personally they are the biggest disappointments in the region and considering that players are still quitting and returning I don’t think they will get it fixed. Just my thoughts

South Laurel will be the class of the 13th next year and probably top ten in the state as long as Mabe’s knee rehab goes according to plan

Per the Courier Journal, Doerr has been medically cleared and will play.

Their are 2 teams with Elite level size, DCA and Evangel. Evangels bigs are quite a bit more developed than DCA. That being said Evangel and Lyon in the final and the only way Lyon loses is if they give it away.

As always good stuff. My opinion is 3 and 4 need swapped. Without Mabe SL is a significantly lesser team reflected by the 4 straight losses without him and he will not be back until tourney time if very lucky and although Wburg is hot of late still not buying their stock just yet. Appreciate your opinion.

Def agree with the rankings although SL is ranked to high as they are currently constructed. While SL has had other players step up they far from #3 w/o Mabe(Prob the most valuable individual player in the STATE) and honestly Clay county is a little high just from the team turmoil they have(Too many individuals to be a team at this point). HC is the class of the 13th at this point and realistically unless Mabe experiences a miracle(from what I'm told) I don't think they will be challenged. As always I look forward to your insights

Big win for SL even given Corbins recent skid. Exposes Corbins only weakness which is in the post in my opinion. Case in point is watch Corbin versus Franklin this weekend, perimeter play will be even but Franklin will Dominate in the post. Not to say that Corbin is still not the best team in 13th region. SL is too young(but they will be monsters/bullies the next 4 years) to consistently win 3 games in a row and NL is very overrated in my opinion. Corbin will win the 13th

Yeah he was the only player that had experienced the speed Boyle has and being 6'8 he could see over and handle their press. As far as recovery I'm sure time will tell. I'm sure he will appreciate the prayers as he is a spiritual kid. Kudos to Boyle on a great win.

SL had foul trouble as well. Had 2 starters with 4 for most of the 4th quarter. SL speed bothered Ryle tremendously.

I appreciate that comment about Mabe and I'm sure he would as well. Thank you