[Keystone12]

Im ready to get back to watching basketball after this terrible weather. This week has some intriguing matchups. I would love to hear some of your predictions.

Bell County at Harlan County (Monday, Jan 13th)

I wish I could see this one! They play in that 2A thing that I still don't understand. Huff is in top form. I have a hard time believing Bell will shut him down. He is too much of a veteran and there isn't a team in this region (maybe others) that can stop him from getting his. Jaycee Carter has come on strong for the Black Bears. Trenton Cole is a steady force who can knock down threes and he doesn't turn it over much. 

Ethan Buell has come on strong for Bell. Cameron Hall is steady and cool like always. Burnett is still the driving force on that team. Im sure Bell will try to value every possession by passing till the defense says the hell with it and they get an easy bucket. I think Bell has solidified themselves as a top 3 team in the 13th. 

I think Bell County will upset HC on their home floor.

Perry County Central at Knox Central (Monday, Jan 13th)

Perry has been up and down. They got blown out by HC by 40 early in the year but has managed to beat a good Martin Co team and only lost by three at powerhouse Hazard. Hoskins usually starts getting his guys in gear around this time. I don't know what to think of Knox Central. There only decent win was a 30 victory over Madison Southern. The addition of Summers has definitely helped them but the got beat by 24 against South. Im not ready to put them up there with the big dogs. They play a very weak schedule and have amassed a good record but they are not a top 6 team in the 13th Region. Knox Central's days are coming but they are young and haven't proven anything yet.

Im taking PCC in this one.

South Laurel at Corbin (Monday, Jan 13th)

South is the best team in the 13th in my opinion. I don't think HC is far behind. South will be trying to get back at Corbin after their defeat against the Hounds in the 50th District finals last year. I thought South's weakness this year was requiring Mabe to do too much for them to win. That is still somewhat the case but guys like Josh Steele and Rawlings to a lesser degree have shown up. Steele has played his best basketball as of late. They continue to play smothering defense and value every offensive possession. Sometimes its boring as hell to watch but it is effective and has been for quiet some time. 

Pietrowski Is shooting 44% from three and producing 13ppg and 9.7 rpg. If he can drag Mabe out a little it would help Corbin's chances. Mabe is such a disrupter on the defensive end. Ryder Akins needs to continue to be aggressive. He pitches in 17 ppg and a surprising 9rpg. It will be interesting to see if Corbin can rebound against a team like South. Corbin may have a 6'6" addition. Don't know how much he plays if eligible at all. 

I'm going Corbin with the upset at home.

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The corbin/south game is tuesday not monday

[shottaker23]

Im ready to get back to watching basketball after this terrible weather. This week has some intriguing matchups. I would love to hear some of your predictions.

Bell County at Harlan County (Monday, Jan 13th)

I wish I could see this one! They play in that 2A thing that I still don't understand. Huff is in top form. I have a hard time believing Bell will shut him down. He is too much of a veteran and there isn't a team in this region (maybe others) that can stop him from getting his. Jaycee Carter has come on strong for the Black Bears. Trenton Cole is a steady force who can knock down threes and he doesn't turn it over much. 

Ethan Buell has come on strong for Bell. Cameron Hall is steady and cool like always. Burnett is still the driving force on that team. Im sure Bell will try to value every possession by passing till the defense says the hell with it and they get an easy bucket. I think Bell has solidified themselves as a top 3 team in the 13th. 

I think Bell County will upset HC on their home floor.

Perry County Central at Knox Central (Monday, Jan 13th)

Perry has been up and down. They got blown out by HC by 40 early in the year but has managed to beat a good Martin Co team and only lost by three at powerhouse Hazard. Hoskins usually starts getting his guys in gear around this time. I don't know what to think of Knox Central. There only decent win was a 30 victory over Madison Southern. The addition of Summers has definitely helped them but the got beat by 24 against South. Im not ready to put them up there with the big dogs. They play a very weak schedule and have amassed a good record but they are not a top 6 team in the 13th Region. Knox Central's days are coming but they are young and haven't proven anything yet.

Im taking PCC in this one.

South Laurel at Corbin (Monday, Jan 13th)

South is the best team in the 13th in my opinion. I don't think HC is far behind. South will be trying to get back at Corbin after their defeat against the Hounds in the 50th District finals last year. I thought South's weakness this year was requiring Mabe to do too much for them to win. That is still somewhat the case but guys like Josh Steele and Rawlings to a lesser degree have shown up. Steele has played his best basketball as of late. They continue to play smothering defense and value every offensive possession. Sometimes its boring as hell to watch but it is effective and has been for quiet some time. 

Pietrowski Is shooting 44% from three and producing 13ppg and 9.7 rpg. If he can drag Mabe out a little it would help Corbin's chances. Mabe is such a disrupter on the defensive end. Ryder Akins needs to continue to be aggressive. He pitches in 17 ppg and a surprising 9rpg. It will be interesting to see if Corbin can rebound against a team like South. Corbin may have a 6'6" addition. Don't know how much he plays if eligible at all. 

I'm going Corbin with the upset at home.

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The corbin/south game is tuesday not monday

I agree with most of what you are saying other than I don’t think Mabe will be guarding Eli, probably Fulmer or McQueen draws that assignment. If Rawlings doesn’t get asking it’ll be Mabe. Corbin is a very hard place to play but if foul trouble isn’t an issue I’m say SL by 12. Have heard Ga transfer will not see much minutes here

[Old School Hound]

I've seen nothing to this point in the season to suggest that my Hounds will knock off the 13th region's best team and coach. Besides, Coach Jefferson Davis has owned Anthony Pietrowski in recent years just as much as Thomas Jefferson owned Sally Hemmings.

[shottaker23]

I've seen nothing to this point in the season to suggest that my Hounds will knock off the 13th region's best team and coach. Besides, Coach Jefferson Davis has owned Anthony Pietrowski in recent years just as much as Thomas Jefferson owned Sally Hemmings.

Mannn, I love the way you elaborate lol. We had to have been separated at birth.  I will say come tournament time 2 teams no one will want to play will be Corbin or Bell.

[Old School Hound]

I've seen nothing to this point in the season to suggest that my Hounds will knock off the 13th region's best team and coach. Besides, Coach Jefferson Davis has owned Anthony Pietrowski in recent years just as much as Thomas Jefferson owned Sally Hemmings.

Mannn, I love the way you elaborate lol. We had to have been separated at birth.  I will say come tournament time 2 teams no one will want to play will be Corbin or Bell.

I agree with you. Corbin and Bell are always dangerous come tournament time. Two good coaches leading those teams. They always have their kids playing well come tourney time.

[HCS]

2A in the basketball tournament has nothing to do with football numbers.
Most of the All A teams are in A or AA in football. I think 2A goes up to 1,000 students, so that covers 3A and 4A and maybe a few 5A football schools.

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I've seen nothing to this point in the season to suggest that my Hounds will knock off the 13th region's best team and coach. Besides, Coach Jefferson Davis has owned Anthony Pietrowski in recent years just as much as Thomas Jefferson owned Sally Hemmings.

Davis is a great coach, no doubt, but you complained about Pietrowski for not being a state contender, and I think Pietrowski has been more recently and was second last year.
It's one of those debates about what's most important. I'd rather have a team that contends every year, but some only count championships.

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I've seen nothing to this point in the season to suggest that my Hounds will knock off the 13th region's best team and coach. Besides, Coach Jefferson Davis has owned Anthony Pietrowski in recent years just as much as Thomas Jefferson owned Sally Hemmings.

Mannn, I love the way you elaborate lol. We had to have been separated at birth.  I will say come tournament time 2 teams no one will want to play will be Corbin or Bell.

I agree with you. Corbin and Bell are always dangerous come tournament time. Two good coaches leading those teams. They always have their kids playing well come tourney time.

Sizemore has made them a lot better recently, but Bell lost in the first round of the district in 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23.

[Old School Hound]

2A in the basketball tournament has nothing to do with football numbers.
Most of the All A teams are in A or AA in football. I think 2A goes up to 1,000 students, so that covers 3A and 4A and maybe a few 5A football schools.

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I've seen nothing to this point in the season to suggest that my Hounds will knock off the 13th region's best team and coach. Besides, Coach Jefferson Davis has owned Anthony Pietrowski in recent years just as much as Thomas Jefferson owned Sally Hemmings.

Davis is a great coach, no doubt, but you complained about Pietrowski for not being a state contender, and I think Pietrowski has been more recently and was second last year.
It's one of those debates about what's most important. I'd rather have a team that contends every year, but some only count championships.

I love Tony. I adore Tony. I was at Tony's house the day he was born. Is there anyone else here who can say that?  Tony is a fine coach. The thread I made the other day was simply to suggest that possibly Tony is a bit burnt out after 20+ years. I also said four region titles in nearly a quarter of a century and one single win at the S16 in that length of time is not nearly good enough at Corbin. Tony would agree. You disagreed. I personally think next season is the season that Tony needs to get it done.  Corbin might have four, maybe even five of the region's top players--- Akins, Pietrowski, Ellis, D. Farmer, and maybe another player to be named later.

[HCS]

Corbin will be in the mix, as always, but it's rarely easy.
North almost lost to Harlan in the first round with Sheppard. HCHS almost lost to South in the first round with Noah. I doubt Corbin will be better than either of those teams were.
I'm sure Bell will look at 2026 as their year with Burnett and other seniors. North should have a really good team with Davidson and others. You're probably right though about Corbin entering the year No. 1, especially if they close strong this year.

[Old School Hound]

Corbin will be in the mix, as always, but it's rarely easy.
North almost lost to Harlan in the first round with Sheppard. HCHS almost lost to South in the first round with Noah. I doubt Corbin will be better than either of those teams were.
I'm sure Bell will look at 2026 as their year with Burnett and other seniors. North should have a really good team with Davidson and others. You're probably right though about Corbin entering the year No. 1, especially if they close strong this year.

You're right, in this 13th region it's never easy, no matter if you have a stud on your roster.  The days of the seventies and eighties, when Clay County dominated , are over . We will never see domination like that again.

[Gridiron_Raid]

2A in the basketball tournament has nothing to do with football numbers.
Most of the All A teams are in A or AA in football. I think 2A goes up to 1,000 students, so that covers 3A and 4A and maybe a few 5A football schools.

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I've seen nothing to this point in the season to suggest that my Hounds will knock off the 13th region's best team and coach. Besides, Coach Jefferson Davis has owned Anthony Pietrowski in recent years just as much as Thomas Jefferson owned Sally Hemmings.

Davis is a great coach, no doubt, but you complained about Pietrowski for not being a state contender, and I think Pietrowski has been more recently and was second last year.
It's one of those debates about what's most important. I'd rather have a team that contends every year, but some only count championships.

---

I've seen nothing to this point in the season to suggest that my Hounds will knock off the 13th region's best team and coach. Besides, Coach Jefferson Davis has owned Anthony Pietrowski in recent years just as much as Thomas Jefferson owned Sally Hemmings.

Mannn, I love the way you elaborate lol. We had to have been separated at birth.  I will say come tournament time 2 teams no one will want to play will be Corbin or Bell.

I agree with you. Corbin and Bell are always dangerous come tournament time. Two good coaches leading those teams. They always have their kids playing well come tourney time.

Sizemore has made them a lot better recently, but Bell lost in the first round of the district in 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23.

17,18,19 was the former coaching staff. You also have to remember just how good Harlan Ind and Harlan County was in 2020 and 2021. Just think, the harlan county schools both lost only 6 games in 2021. It is pretty hard to pull off upsets like that. At one point the 52nd district had Mike jones, Derrick Akal, Brad Sizemore, and Lewis Morris. A lot of teams in the region would love to have any of those guys. 

One thing about recent successes that sizemore has brought, unless i’m one or two games off, they are 53-6 in the last 59 home games dating back to a district game with Harlan County in 2021. They went multiple seasons with losing records at home previously. That record also includes a team that started 2 freshmen, a sophomore, and a 8th grader.

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Corbin will be in the mix, as always, but it's rarely easy.
North almost lost to Harlan in the first round with Sheppard. HCHS almost lost to South in the first round with Noah. I doubt Corbin will be better than either of those teams were.
I'm sure Bell will look at 2026 as their year with Burnett and other seniors. North should have a really good team with Davidson and others. You're probably right though about Corbin entering the year No. 1, especially if they close strong this year.

Bell loses a valuable guard and leader in hall. But once again will return the rest of their production. But Corbin loses 23 ppg with 3 SRs. They will especially miss blackburn. Ellis should be eligible at that time but how does him, akins, and Eli jive on the floor. There’s only so many shots in a game.

[Old School Hound]

The 13th region has had some really, really good coaches, and still do.

In the very recent past, you've had Pietrowski, Davis, Sizemore, Patterson, Jones, Taylor, Akal, Dinky... that's All-Star level talent.

[HCS]

Yes, I understand SIzemore hasn't been there long, which is why I said they have improved under him. My only point was that Bell hasn't "always" been dangerous.

[Keystone12]

I have heard reports from corbin practices that ellis has meshed really good. People might forget what a good passer evan ellis is. I think him and akins can definitely co exist. Ive been told akins and ellis workout together putting up shots after practice and off days. The “dad” issue as ive heard it put with ellis will not be an issue at corbin. The dad is a good guy who does what he thinks is right by his son. Coach p has closed practices which helps that situation. He was allowed to do too much at whitley. That is on swords who is another decent guy.

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Since we’re talking next year i do think its bell county and corbin. Bell brings back burnett, buell, jaxson thomas, and ferguson. That is a pretty stellar line up. Cameron hall is a big loss. Corbin doesn’t lose anyone close to his caliber. Hall has been a favorite of mine for a couple years. If he was 6’2” he would play some good college ball somewhere. Maybe the collection of the 3 corbin seniors equals him but i dont know. If that 8th grade fergusons body ever catches up with his feet then the whole region is in trouble. That kid seems like he has a lot of growing left. Clay may surprise but i would give my third place to north.

[dodger]

Isn't the 2A tournament for schools that fall in the 2A for track out of three classes? Probably the easiest way to determine what's a mid-sized school.

[Old School Hound]

Any news on the mystery transfer from Georgia for the Hounds. Corbin hasn't added anyone to their roster. Was that just a figment of someone's imagination?

[HCS]

Those rosters on the KHSAA are a long way from scientific. People stay on the roster for weeks after they have left teams. Your West Virginia guy was on there for quite a while and never actually played.

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Isn't the 2A tournament for schools that fall in the 2A for track out of three classes? Probably the easiest way to determine what's a mid-sized school.

I hadn't thought of it that way. I think the track alignment divides the state into thirds - basically. I doubt the 2A basketball tourney follows that exactly. I think I was told it was for schools under 1,000 students. That's how Harlan County qualified this year but hadn't been eligible in previous years.