Les

See. Told you it wasn't an upset!

Estep is also a top notch back-up QB, too.

The Big Red Machine were done in the mid-70s. Just kidding. Just kidding.

I suppose so. But it's not to the people that's covered Corbin the entire season. Losing to Mayfield by one point isn't luck, and they were a missed two-point conversion away from winning that.

touchdown corbin

Not so sure it's an upset. Corbin is a whole lot better than what people thought. Game is far from over though.

The 13th Region looks to be a five-team race with defending 13th Region champion South Laurel pegged as the pre-season favorite after garnering eight of the 16 first place votes the 13th Region coaches casted and finishing with a 13th Region-best 136 points while Corbin (133 points), Harlan County (127), North Laurel (123) and Knox Central round out the top five teams. Corbin junior Andrew Taylor was selected as the pre-season 13th Region top-ranked player and Player of the Year after picking up seven first place votes and 147 points while North Laurel senior, and Eastern Kentucky University signee Peyton Broughton garnered six No. 1 votes and 140 points. South Laurel’s Jared Grubb placed third in the coaches voting with two first place votes and 124 points while Harlan County seniors Cameron Carmical and Treyce Spurlock placed fourth and fifth in the voting with 113 and 88 points, respectively. Knox Central’s Markelle Turner turned out to be the only other player that received a coach’s first place vote. 49th District 1. North Laurel (24-6 overall, 12-5 vs. 13th Region opponents) The Jaguars come into the 20-17 season as the team to beat in the 49th District, and could very well make a run at the 13th Region Tournament title as well. North Laurel returns four starters — Brian Gray (9.0, 2.5), Adam Sizemore (4.2, 1.6), Peyton Broughton (22.5, 4.3) and Bryson Asher (9.5, 7.1) while coach Brad Sizemore will be looking for Kaleb Osborne (3.8, 0.6), Aaron Rader and Brett Gaynor (1.0, 0.7) to help out as well.”I think this will be the best team that we’ve had since I have been at North Laurel,” Sizemore said. “We have a lot of returning players with varsity experience who are very skilled. We have players that can score on offense, and have a lot of speed and length to put pressure on other teams.” The big key to North Laurel’s success is Mr. Basketball Candidate Peyton Broughton, who has committed to play at the college level for Eastern Kentucky University earlier in the fall. “He is a great scorer with a lot of experience,” Sizemore said. “We are looking for him to step up on the boards with the loss of Kyle Jeffers from last season. He is a kid that can handle the ball, if needed, go inside on offense and really score with the ball by driving and shooting from the outside. I fully expect him to have his best season of his career.” 2. Clay County (25-8, 17-4) The Tigers lost most of their offense with the graduation of Blake Smith, Wes Wolfe and Trey Farmer. The lone starter returning for last season’s 13th Region runner-up squad is guard Will Sexton (7.6, 6.8), who averaged eight points last season. Also expected to contribute is Logan Gabbard (2.4, 4.1), who was a part-time starter last season along with guard Trevor Sams, who didn’t play last season. “We lost more than 90 percent of our scoring last season, and will be counting on several players to contribute this season,” Clay County coach Glenn Grey said. “Our goal is to get better each day, limit our mistakes and enhance the things we do well. “We don’t necessarily have a team strength. This is practically a new team that will start the season searching for their identity,” he added. “The one common bond they have is the name across their chest. That means something to these kids and they will work their tails off to be the best that they can be for Clay County. We are a young team with a tremendous upside and most of these kids haven’t played varsity basketball, so now is their time to shine. I hope we can utilize a lot of players and we’ve really been focusing on off-season conditioning.” 3. Jackson County (10-18, 4-10) Greg Parrett’s Jackson County Generals are ready to surprise this season after winning only 10 games in 2015-16. The Generals return three starters in Tanner Harris (15.0, 6.0), Lucas Moore (8.0, 3.0) and Drew Akemon (8.0, 3.0). Parrett is also depending on players such as Matt Walker (1.9, 3.1), Hunter Carroll (3.4, 1.5), Hunter Bowling, Chase Gilbert (2.2, 1.5), Dylan Rose (3.7, 3.1), Trey Rose and Blaine Miller (1.5, 0.2) to contribute. “In the overall picture, no one has us as competitive with the top tier teams,” Parrett said. “We believe by the end of the season we will be very competitive within our district and region. “I like the way this team plays,” he added. “We will be quick with good depth at every position.” 4. Oneida Baptist Institute (14-17, 11-14) First year coach Edward Lowdenback will have his hands full this season with the Mountaineers’ top six scorers graduating from last season’s 14-win season. Oneida Baptist does return Heru Decayers (4.0, 1.2), who returns for his senior campaign. 5. Red Bird (4-24, 0-18) The last time Red Bird has won a 13th Region game was back on Feb. 18, 2013 when former coach John D. Wilson helped guide the Cardinals past Oneida Baptist in the first round of the 49th District Tournament. Since then Red Bird has dropped 39 straight 13th Region games, something coach David Collett hopes to put an end to this season. “I think at the end of last season we started to really play well and improve,” Collett said. “I feel like we have added some kids that will make big contributions if they work hard.” Red Bird will have a lot of experience returning with four starters back — Max Kitoko (3.1, 3.6), Junior Kitoko (4.2, 3.6), Jonathon Kabongo (10.5, 3.8) and Maombie Tshingu (0.7, 1.8). “I know this group of kids will come out every night and give me 110 percent,” Collett said. “They are quick, athletic and we have size that we lacked last season which really hurt us. These kids have an insane work ethic and have put a lot of work in to get better.” Collett said he will also depend on players such as Ozeais Nwebe (0.5, 2.0), Austin Napier, Andrew Hoskins, Austin Simpson, Nick Wagers, Ethan Smith (4.8, 7.5) and David Ntabwoba to contribute as well. “I am really excited about this team,” Collett said. “They have a ‘want-to’ attitude about them and they will not quit. “In all, I like how we are looking and the versatility we have with our first 10-11 kids,” he added. “Red Bird Christian will be significantly much-improved from the last two years and our kids and coaching staff are really looking forward to the upcoming season. 50th District 1. South Laurel (29-7, 16-2) For the second straight season, the defending 13th Region champions are enter the season as the team to beat in the region. South Laurel put together a memorable run last season, reaching the Final Four of the Sweet Sixteen before bowing out in the game’s final seconds to Doss. Now the Cardinals will try to make another run, but they’ll have to do it without the services of players such as Caleb Taylor, and Andrew Griffith, who graduated and are now playing at the college level. The cupboard isn’t bare though with players such as Jared Grubb (15.6, 3.6), Ryan Anders (3.8, 3.8) and JJ Ramey (6.5, 1.9) returning to the mix along with Blake Phelps (3.0, 1.5) and Zac Feltner (2.0, 1.7). “We return three starters and two key reserve players from last year’s team that played a lot of minutes,” South Laurel coach Jeff Davis said. “The thing is, we’re going to have to need them step up and do a lot more than what was asked of them last year. The biggest concern we are going to have is finding a bench and having guys come in and contribute defensively and take care of the ball. “We could have some very young kids coming off the bench that haven’t had much or any varsity minutes,” he added. “It could be an ugly start to the year, but hopefully by February we are better.” If South Laurel is going to make a deep postseason run, then the big three of Grubb, Anders and Ramey will have to step up each and every game. “Jared has the ability to take over games on both ends of the floor when he puts his mind to it,” Davis said. “ He has to be a bigger leader this year His play in the postseason last year was very special and that has led him to take another step this summer. “What Ryan does for us doesn’t show up in the boxscore,” he added. “We don’t beat Christian County last year without Ryan and he didn’t even score a point. He has to be more aggressive for us. JJ is just now starting to figure out how good he can be. He is a great kid that sometimes lacks self-confidence. Halfway through last season it clicked, and i look for even better things out of him this year.” 2. Corbin (19-11, 13-7) Many believe Corbin has the talent to cut down the nets this season, and the Redhounds could very well do it. They were only one of two region teams that defeated South Laurel last season, and they return the bulk of their talent back this season. It all starts with junior Andrew Taylor (25.6, 3.3), who has already received four D-I offers while being selected as the top-ranked player in the region by the 13th Region coaches. Taylor will be joined by Zach Maguet (10.9, 1.6), Chase Sanders (8.8, 2.1), Tanner Barnes (5.6, 2.9) Conner Hopkins and Cameron Maguet (2.6, 1.0) just to name a few. “We have our entire team back from last season,” Corbin coach Tony Pietrowski said. “And that’s counting the addition of Conner Hopkins. That said, I think the overall look, and ability of our team will be much different. “I believe we will be able to play a variety of different styles and line-ups,” he added. “I think we will have the ability to score with the ball, too. Ultimately, the outcome of our season may come down to how much we improve from our first game to the postseason and our willingness to buy in defensively. And it’s always nice to have a player like Taylor returning to the line-up. “Andrew is one of the best players in the state,” Pietrowski said. “I think some other kids will also really put their name on the map this season.” 3. Whitley County (17-13, 9-9) Many believed last season the Colonels would get over the hump and return to the 13th Region Tournament, but they fell short at home against rival Corbin. The colonels return a lot of talent this season with hopes of making noise this season. Junior Corey Johnson (12.0, 4.0) is the lone starter for Whitley County while Josh Richardson (3.6, 1.3), Tyler Downs (3.1, 3.1), Bayley Rice (4.6, 2.5), Blake Brown (1.4, 0.9), Dylan Wilson (2.2, 0.9), Cameron Rose, Jarrett Carr (0.5, 0.5), Caleb Rains (1.3, 0.4) and Chandler Powell (1.2, 0.7) are expected to contribute for the Colonels. “I think that our region will be strong from top to bottom,” Whitley County coach Jerry Overbey said. “I think we match-up well with anyone in the region. I really like what I have saw out of my team this offseason. “I believe we will have the capability of being a really good team,” he added. “We will have good guard play, and have some really good post kids. It all depends on hitting the stride at the right time.” 4. Williamsburg (3-17, 2-15) The Yellow Jackets are just two years removed from winning the 13th Region championship. They only won three games last seasons, and took a hit when last year’s leading scorer, Tanner Boggs, transferred to Lynn Camp. Williamsburg does return four starters, though, in Hagen Hawn (4.6, 3.7), Alec Poore (3.6, 2.2) Stohn Hunter (2.5, 3.4), and Dalton Ponder (9.6, 2.1). “We will be young, but we have the potential to be a solid team by the end of the year,” Williamsburg coach Patrick Robinson said. “We have some young players who have really developed this offseason, so we will need them to come on strong and help us out throughout the year. “Our returning players now have some varsity experience under their belts, and that should help us out in the long run,” he added. “If we work hard and play together, then we can have success this season.” 51st District 1. Knox Central (17-11, 11-5) Tony Patterson’s Panthers reached the 13th Region semifinals last season, and now the second year coach along with his players believe they can go even further and capture the program’s first region title in more than 40 years. Knox Central received a big boost when Markelle Turner, one of the best players in the 13th Region, transferred in from Barbourville. Add Turner to the mix of players such as Nick Martin (3.5, 1.2), Wade Liford (16.0, 6.3), Jeremy Stewart (7.7, 2.3), Tanner Wells (7.2, 2.9), Dane Imel (3.1, 0.8), Jaylen Adams (3.9, 1.5), Kenny Gray and Xavier Gregory (1.5, 0.5), and you can see why many believe they could very well be cutting the 13th Region nets down in March. “Several teams in the region could win it,” Patterson said. “We have as good as chance as any. We have a lot of potential.” 2. Pineville (21-9, 15-6) The defending 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic Tournament champions could very well be the surprise team in the 13th Region this season. They’re coming off a 21-win season, and they return four starters, including two that could very well be some of the best players in the region. Seniors Cody Carnes (19.1, 10.9) and Trent Lefevers (14.1, 5.3) return along with senior teammates Will Adams (7.2, 5.1) and Tuck Woolum (3.5, 3.1). “We feel that we some really good kids that get along well with each other and seem to work well together,” Pineville coach J.D. Strange said. “We’re hoping they will continue with their work ethic and positive attitude to develop and improve as a basketball team.” Strange is also looking forward to the play of junior guard Josh Lawson (7.9, 2.7) along with junior Marcus Estep (1.1, 0.2), Dillon Asher, sophomores Ben Goodin, Chris Saylor (0.2, 0.8), Matt Golden (0.1, 0.3), Daniel Watts (1.8, 0.4), and freshmen Clay Goodin, Braxton Caldwell, Jason Jones, and Reed Baker. “Hopefully, several of this group of youth can develop, contribute and push the returning players and compete for play time to give us more depth,” Strange said. “We feel that this team has much-needed experience coming in from last year by winning 21 games and the 13th Region All ‘A’ Tournament. Hopefully, the ability to play together, trust each other and play unselfishly, will be a positive for this basketball team. 3. Barbourville (14-16, 9-10) Derek Collins’ Tigers are another team that is expecting to surprise and make some noise this season. But to do so, they’re going to have to overcome the loss of leading scorers Brent Perry, who now plays at the college level along with Markelle Turner, who who transferred to play for rival Knox Central. Barbourville does return two starters in seniors James Witt (5.0, 4.0) and Zach Deaton (8.0, 8.0). “I’m excited about the team I have this year,” Collins said. “For the first time in a long time, we have nine to 10 players that can be on the floor at any time. Being the size of a school that we are, we don’t always have a rotation of more than six or seven players.” Collins is also excited about what senior Bradley Warren, Tanner Mills, Trinton Shawl, Christian Bunch, Conner Baine and Creg Gray bring to the table. “I have a couple of young kids that have improved over the summer and will get a lot of playing time,” Collins said. “We may not be able to put 100 points on the scoreboard, but I hope to play tougher defense and take smart shots and score inside. I will have enough kids to try to wear teams down, not with our offense, but defense.” 4. Lynn Camp (17-10, 10-7) Dinky Phipps’ second year as Wildcat coach should be just as good as his first year. Phipps lost some talent from last season’s 17-win team, but also returns some talented player as well. Senior guard Bruce Hopkins (12.2, 2.4) returns along with three-point specialist Jacob Bundy (8.2, 2.2). Hopkins and Bundy will also be joined by Andrew Jones (2.7, 3.8), Antonio Tespesano (7.7, 3.9), Kirkland Bryant, Max Burd and Brandon Lee (0.6, 1.2). The Wildcats also got a key transfer in with junior Tanner Boggs (15.9, 5.5) moving in from Williamsburg. “This year’s team will have to play had every game to come out on top,” Phipps said. “We don’t have much size, so our work habits must improve. One of my team’s strengths is the ability to score and run, and my main concern for this team will be if we can rebound and play defense.” 52nd District 1. Harlan County (24-5, 13-2) When you talk about the teams to beat in the 13th Region, go no further than the Black Bears. Harlan County has been knocking on the 13th Region championship’s door, but continues to come up short. But this could be the year Mike Jones’ squad accomplishes the feat. Harlan County returns all five starters, including two of the region’s top players in seniors Cameron Carmical (17.3, 4.1) and Treyce Spurlock (15.2, 6.5). The duo will be joined by starters Drew Nolan (8.2, 3.8), Ty Simmons (9.6, 4.6) and David Turner (6.8, 4.3). “We feel like our team is capable of winning the region,” Jones said. “We will be in the mix when all is said and done, but we have a lot to improve on in order to do so.” Having both Carmical and Spurlock returning is huge for the Black Bears. “Cameron is what you call a true point guard,” Jones said. “He’s an excellent floor leader and controls the game for us. Treyce is an extremely talented player who can play any position on the floor, both offensively and defensively.” 2. Bell County (12-17, 7-10) Lewis Morris’ Bobcats are hoping to make some noise not only in the 52nd District, but in the 13th Region as well. They did graduate big man Zach Partin, but return a strong nucleus with starters Victor Morris (12.0), Ethan Gambrel (4.1, 2.4) and Dalton Callebs (4.7, 1.1) returning. “We will depend a lot on freshmen and sophomores this season,” Morris said. “We have three seniors and a couple of juniors, but I expect to see a lot of younger kids contribute. We hope by the end of the season we have improved and learned to compete in order to have a chance versus the top teams.” Morris said to look for Kyle Burnett (1.3, 1.4) to replace Partin in the post while Tyler Partin (2.0, 2.0), Trey Brock (3.4, 1.6), Isaac Collett (3.0, 1.6), Ryan Lambdin (1.3, 1.0) and Colby Frazier are expected to contribute this season. “We could be a good shooting team, and should have enough length and athletic kids to run the floor,” Morris said. “I think we will play hard on defense and should be a little more up tempo on offense and defense.” 3. Harlan (15-14, 7-11) Derrick Akal takes over as coach at Harlan with hopes of leading the Green Dragons to a 13th Region Tournament appearance. The Green Dragons return three starters in seniors Noah Busroe (5.9, 7.4), and Trent McKenzie (8.5, 3.4) and sophomore Killian Ledford (13.4, 4.9). “Being a new coach, while having six players playing football who should contribute — I’m still trying to learn this team,” Akal said. “Right now, we are in the process of learning each other. I think we may have good team speed and unselfish players.” 4. Middlesboro (1-29, 1-22) The Yellow Jackets will enter the season with a 25-game losing streak, but second year coach Isaac Wilson has worked wonders with the team, and is poised to lead the program back to its winning ways. With an abundant of young talent coming up, Wilson is excited to see what the future holds for Middlesboro. Five sophomores Drake Thomas (9.4, 3.1), Christian Hubbard (6.7, 3.0), Andrew Padgett (1.4, 2.0), Ryhan Rogers (3.4, 3.0), Nick Poindexter (4.2, 4.0) are expected to lead the way along with junior Jared Davs (1.6, 1.3) and senior Tyler Wilson (4.4, 1.5). “My overall feeling of this basketball team, and program, is as good as anything I have ever been a part of so far in my life,” Wilson said. “Many steps were taken in the right direction last year in order to put us in a position in the near-future to be able to compete with the best in the region.” Wilson believes his team can get an extra boost when, and if, sophomore transfers Josh and Scotty Overbey gets cleared to play. “Both are rangy guards who contribute with being able to handle the basketball and knock down shots when asked.” 13th Region Coaches Poll 1st place votes are in parenthesis 1. South Laurel 136 (8) 2. Corbin 133 (2) 3. Harlan County 127 (2) 4. North Laurel 123 (2) 5. Knox Central 113 (2) 6. Clay County 62 7. Pineville 59 8. Whitley County57 9. Bell County 30 10. Barbourville 18 Teams receiving votes 11. Lynn Camp 16; 12. Jackson County 5; 13. Harlan 1; 13. Oneida Baptist 1. 13th Region Coaches Players Ranking 1st places votes are in parenthesis 1. Andrew Taylor, Corbin 147 (7) 2. Peyton Broughton, North Laurel 140 (6) 3. Jared Grubb, South Laurel 124 (2) 4. Cameron Carmical, Harlan County 113 5. Treyce Spurlock, Harlan County 88 6. Markelle Turner, Knox Central 76 (1) 7. Wade Liford, Knox Central 47 8. J.J. Ramey, South Laurel 42 9. Frederick Carnes, Pineville 23 10. Corey Johnson, Whitley County 17 Players receiving votes 11. Trent Lefevers, Pineville 14; 12. Bryson Asher, North Laurel 9; 12. Nick Martin, Knox Central 9; 14. Ryan Anders, South Laurel 7; 15. Brian Gray, North Laurel 6; 16. Jaylen Adams, Knox Central 5; 17. Conner Hopkins, Corbin 4; 17. Will Sexton, Clay County 4; 19. Chase Sanders, Corbin 3; 20. Zach Deaton, Barbourville 1; 20. Zach Maguet, Corbin 1; 20. Victor Morris, Bell County 1. 13th Region Coaches Pre-season Player of the Year Andrew Taylor, Corbin 13th Region Coaches Pre-season 1st team Andrew Taylor, Corbin Peyton Broughton, North Laurel Jared Grubb, South Laurel Cameron Carmical, Harlan County Treyce Spurlock, Harlan County 13th Region Coaches Pre-season 2nd team Markelle Turner, Knox Central Wade Liford, Knox Central J.J. Ramey, South Laurel Frederick Carnes, Pineville Corey Johnson, Whitley County 13th Region Coaches Pre-season 3rd team Trent Lefevers, Pineville Bryson Asher, North Laurel Nick Martin, Knox Central Ryan Anders, South Laurel Brian Gray, North Laurel

I'm interested to see what it said in the paper considering it doesn't get printed until later tonight, and the story hasn't even been published yet? I know the Times-Tribune put a post out on Facebook and it was also on the 13th Region Football Facebook Group, but anyway, I talked to Scottie today along with Knox AD Jeffrey Canady and they'll be a story in the Times-Tribune tomorrow.

Lol. It's high school basketball. There is a whole lot more to be worried about in this world than meaningless rankings.

Ask the coaches who voted. I'm thinking I had around 75 to 80 percent of the 12th Region to vote.

I'm basing it on what the coaches sent back in to me.

I've got the list to everything. I'm the one that does the 12th Region Boys and Girls Previews each year. I email/text every coach questions and request their top 10 players of the region and top 10 teams of the region and then I compile them. I had a great response this year.

No. Williamsburg reached the Sweet 16 in 2015. Ckay last made it in 2014.

There is no official KHSAA All State team in any of the sports (except for all tourney for state tournaments). They are either done by Coaches Association or Associated Press/Local newspapers/web sites.

No problem at all.

I think it's a great list of Coaches and Players. Great job to the Coaches that voted on both of these selections of Coaches and Players of the Year.

The awards will be handed out Sunday, June 19, 2016 during the East/West All Star Game at Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY.

Yes it's open. It's been open for a couple of weeks now.

Well said.

He's gonna get a scholarship at a D-1 school which is better than most whether he contributes a lot or not. And yes, he's still in school, so he's a kid to me. But that's just my opinion.

I don't remember anyone saying he was better than Booker? I love it when a person behind a fake name tries to downgrade a kid.

Apparently, they like what they see out of him to get the offers and looks. These days everyone has all the answers.

Yep, I said all along what he and his team was. Glad you finally became a believer at season's end.

No they didn't play on the South Laurel State Championship team in 2005. Sizemore was an assistant under Steve Wright that season. They were teammates when South Laurel made the Elite Eight in 2001.

Leslie Dixon batting .555 on the year for South Laurel. 17-game hit streak. Leads the team in almost every offensive category.