WILDMAN

Cody Miller of Knox Central is another 13th region guy that is up there. However, I think he has almost or already peaked where St. John and Johnson are still moving up the ladder. I heard that the Watts kid from McCreary Central may be moving back to Lexington for his senior year. Henry Clay maybe? If so, look for him to get a lot more recognition. He is the real deal.

Looks good again Les. I know this is a completely moot point but I'd like to see how this Corbin team would stack up against 05 or 06 South Laurel. I think they are right on par with them and could be the best region team since the 99/00 Redhounds.

This was clearly a match up of David vs. Goliath. Tonight, David didn't have his slingshot as the story in the good book goes. Hats off to the Generals though. Although outmatched, and virtually having no chance, these kids never gave up. Corbin is just on another level. When Corbin is on, you may find 4 or 5 teams that can challenge them in the state. Jackson County is breaking in a new staff and a new rotation. Brighter days will be ahead for them. I remember Coach Truitt when he played and I have no doubt he'll have Jackson contending for the 49th in short time. Although they were never a powerhouse, Keith Hays was a fine coach. Truitt learned from him. Tonight was a fun game to watch if you were from Corbin. As stated earlier, when arguably the best player in the region scores 4 points and plays limited minutes and you win by 66 which easily could have been more, you have a dangerous ball club. I was impressed with Josh Smith. He was like Jodie Meeks tonight and the rim had to look like tossing ping pong balls into a swimming pool. You know what you are getting from the starters. The bench impressed me. Blake Hendrickson and Luke Stewart played excellent off the bench as did Caleb Watkins. I think Watkins can bring that football toughness to the Hounds as Brad Lawson and Clint Cashen did in the past. He'll be able to rough people up and overpower folks once he gets into the swing of things. The Hopkins kid is another player that will be a force before it's all said and done. He has the size of Crawford and touch of Johnson. Unfortunately, experience trumps all of that. His time is coming though. Look out for him.

I thought the Hounds looked really sharp in the second half minus the last two minutes where they were playin not to lose instead of playing to win and attacking. Just like the LexCath game, stall ball led to a few forced shots or turnovers to let the other team close the gap. The first half was pretty bad. Crawford carried them or they probably wouldn't have had 10 at the break. It was kind of expected though considering the game the night before and Johnson having an off night for the first time in a while. I like the way they pulled together to pick up the slack of him having an off night until he heated up some in late 2nd half. I was really impressed with Crawford today. I had him with 16 boards. I quit counting at 23 points but 29 sounds about right. He was passing the ball really well. Josh rounding into old form is going to be huge. Smith and Johnson are having breakout seasons and either could give you 12-25 points on a given night. Manns and Wilson have potential to dominate a game depending on whether its a uptempo or grind it out game. The bench will always be good for 10-15 points and 6 or 7 rebounds as well. Corbin is starting to figure out how to win the close games and dominate in games they are supposed to. I have a feeling a sleeping giant has finally been awakened.

I hate it for the Colonels. It seems like they've been right there with South for the past two seasons only to fall short at the end.

From reading the updates sounded like Williamsburg was trying to slow it down and was giving the big red all they could handle. Superior depth and talent from top to bottom seems to be the difference in the outcome. Williamsburg is not a team to sleep on. I won't call them a contender but on a given night, they have talent to get hot and can sneak up and bite a team in the rear.

Is that certain team about 12 miles South of SL?

Looks pretty fair to me Les. I like the rankings. I agree that Corbin is the clear cut favorite and should win out. However, there are many things that teams should do and wind up falling short. I think while Corbin is clearly a better team than South, the Cards could sneak up and upset the Hounds at some point. I have a feeling these two teams will meet up 3 more times counting post season. Corbin's starting 5 is definitely better as a whole but that could change if St. John has a hot night and is able to get Manns, Crawford, or both in foul trouble. With that said, the rankings are pretty much spot on. Like we have agreed before, rankings are pretty much talking points for fans and don't mean squat until it's all said and done but I like em.

Williamsburg will give the Hounds all they want if Corbin comes in reading the press clippings and thumping their chest. I'm sure Corbin could probably play a bad game and still win based on talent alone but they'll have to work. I don't mean any disrespect for the Jackets but they are still lacking in the overall talent department. They do have fine players and are steadily improving each week. I think if Corbin comes to work, they can run away with it. Ordinarily, I'd say Corbin by about 40 but I think the starters will get more rest than usual on account of playing about 17 hours later up in Lexington. Corbin by 21

Looks like 25 is the magic number. 70-45 in game 1 and 67-42 in game 2. I can promise that Bell will get better so if these two teams cross paths in the region, Corbin better not take these two whippins they've put on the Bobcats for granted. Great win again for the Hounds. Enjoy this win tonight and get ready for Williamsburg and LCA on Friday and Saturday. On paper both games appear to be mismatches but from LCA has played a tough schedule so their record will be a little misleading. I've not watched Williamsburg but they seem to be a scrappy bunch that plays all out. I hear they lack a true PG so Wilson should thrive. Can't take anyone for granted.

We used to play in the All A every so often. It never really made much sense to me though. I think Corbin must have been on the cusp of 1A then or something. Now Corbin is pushing 800 or above. That just wouldn't be fair with so many kids to choose from. Most teams in the All A have about 200 kids to pick from.

I'm in more of the camp that if you don't want to get spanked, learn to stop the team doing the spanking. Same goes for football, however, football can make more of a case since there are so many players.

Yea, you are right. They were sayin on the radio that it was the opposite of the South Laurel game from the other night where SL jumped out to a 7-0 lead.

Catholic started out 7-0 before the Hounds turned it on. Corbin led by 16 late in the 3rd quarter before Catholic made an impressive rally. The Knights cut it to 1 or 2 with extended pressure. Corbin was able to hang on for the win. Josh Crawford led Corbin with 20 and was followed by Madison Johnson (19), and Josh Smith (15). Vee Sanford led Catholic with 21 but the Freshman Beckham was the one that stood out to me. I think the radio said he had 11. Good win for Corbin as they start to hit the heart of region play.

I don't know about the Bell/Knox but I'd say there will be a great crowd as always for the Corbin/South game.

I am surprised that Bell and KC didn't just stop in Barbourville to play. Which team is thinking about not playing tomorrow?

Also is KC and Bell tomorrow? I heard Lynn Camp and the South Carolina school game was moved to LC in order to complete so Gaffney could get on the road.

The Ice Company is down at the old Drive In Theatre. It's about a half a mile past the high school going away from town. It's just past Kroger and across from the Dairy Mart, Circle K, Convenient, or whatever it is called now.

How'd this game play out? I hear Crawford and Hendrickson played well for Corbin tonight. It appears that Johnson also had an outstanding game. Was this a game where Corbin's talent and depth put the game away late or was it one that was over from the get go? Excellent win for the Hounds regardless. Nice way to defend the home court and solid convincing win over a solid opponent and rival.

I just don't understand. If you want the local teams to advance, set it up and invite some weaker teams to play in the tournament so they can win fair and square. I'd hate to see the tournament resort to that but it's better than depriving kids a chance who are from all accounts a better team a chance to win a championship when coming from out of town. The varsity club does a great job at running the CFIT, don't get me wrong. The set up is great and allows each team equal games. The concessions and hospitality rooms are great. The slam dunk and 3 point contest are fun to watch, especially for the kids. It gives them someone to look up to and something to dream about. However, the one knock this year and in the past are the officiating. The two games last night were set up to where even the most blatent officiating wouldn't have mattered. I think those games were called well. However what I heard about today was sad.

I have no clue to be honest. I'm just going on what I was told by some spectators at the game. I think the final foul thing was 41-8 or something to that sort with numerous technicals being handed out to the Gaffney team. If things were as bad as I heard, I can't say I blame them for getting t'd up.

I heard that the team from South Carolina was absolutely robbed today against Knox Central. I don't want to throw stones seeing that I wasn't there but can anyone confirm this? The way it sounded made me think that they are either trying to set up a Corbin/KC final or all local final 4. I heard the fouling differential was nearly 35 in favor of Knox Central. This is sad if true.

Play tomorrow

This game was over before it started. Hounds came out with a killer instinct and put it away very quick. It's hard to tell if they are playing the team ball yet because it was more of a run and gun fun time tonight. When you win by 62, you must be doing something right. Hopefully the Hounds keep it up and win out. Great shooting by Johnson tonight.

Just heard the final and that Corbin was winning by a larger margin most of the game. Any stats or discussion would be appreciated. Does anyone know who the Hounds play tomorrow and the time and location?