[HDE]

CORBIN — By John Henson For the Times-Tribune

Clay County’s third straight regional basketball championship wasn’t much of a surprise for anyone who follows the 13th Region. All the surprises took place the previous week as three of the region’s top five teams in the preseason - Harlan County, North Laurel and Bell County - fell in district competition.

South Laurel closed the season strong to finish as the runner-up, but the Lady Cardinals struggled through much of the year due to injuries, leaving Clay as the region’s only dominant team.

My annual column looking back on the best of the previous season and looking ahead to next year sounds similar to previous years with Clay again picked to win, even though the gap between the region’s best teams appears to be closing.

Of course, I thought the same thing this time last year, and no one was able to step up and prevent the Lady Tigers from making a return trip to Bowling Green.

My picks for the best of the 2010-2011 season are followed by a look ahead to 2011-2012.

All Region

First team

G - Tamara Crawford, North Laurel

G - Chelsey Smith, Pineville

G - Kayla Smith, Clay County

F - Ashley Mullins, Harlan

C - Belle Jackson, Clay County

Second team

G - Whitney Gilliam, Harlan County

G - Maci Morris, Bell County

G - Shai Roaden, Corbin

F - Hayley Smith, Corbin

C - Sarah Evans, Harlan County

Third team

G - Makayla Neal, Bell County

G - Alisha Mitchell, Clay County

G - Miranda Davenport, Harlan County

F - Erica Burchett, South Laurel

F - Morgan Chestnut, Clay County

Fourth team

G - Brandy Smith, Whitley County

G - Neysa Kelly, Barbourville

F - Ashley Mason, Middlesboro

F - Kalee Carroll, Harlan County

C - Chelsea Cunigan, Jackson County

Best juniors

Ashley Mullins, Harlan

Tamara Crawford, North Laurel

Alisha Mitchell, Clay County

Miranda Davenport, Harlan County

Makayla Neal, Bell County

Best sophomores

Sarah Evans, Harlan County

Morgan Chestnut, Clay County

Jenna Mills, Knox Central

Carissa Padgett, Middlesboro

Kelly Cox, Harlan

Best freshmen

Brandi Smith, Whitley County

Kayla Smith, Corbin

Miranda Wilson, Corbin

Kandace Craig, Whitley County

Kaitlyn Stittums, Harlan County

Coach of the year

Harlan’s Derrick Akal made an impressive debut in his first season as a girls coach, leading the Lady Dragons to a regional All “A” Classic and a 52nd District championship. Harlan won several games against more talented and deeper teams by playing hard from start to finish and working together.

Clay County’s James Burchell had another good season with the Lady Tigers, winning another regional title despite dealing with the pressure of being the heavy favorite. Jennifer Parsons had a nice turnaround season with Corbin, leading the Lady Hounds to the regional semifinals and pushing Clay to the limit twice.

Predictions for 2011-2012 (Players are listed by their grade for the 2011-2012 season)

1. Clay County - The distance between the Lady Tigers and the other top teams in the region will continue to decrease, but Clay will stay on top until another contender finds leadership and consistency.

Returning starters for the Lady Tigers include senior guards Sabrina Smith (6.7) and Alisha Mitchell (9.4) and junior center Morgan Chestnut (8.1). Sharp-shooting eighth-grade guard TaLaura Mathis (3.1) is a candidate for the starting lineup, along with 5-10 sophomore center Sarah Robinson and seniors Victoria Jackson and Natasha Gilbert.

2. Harlan County - An upset loss to Middlesboro in the first round of the 52nd District Tournament ended the Lady Bears’ hopes of a regional title but should serve as motivation heading into the 2012 season as several key players return, led by senior guard Miranda Davenport (8.7), 5-10 senior forward Kalee Carroll (9.7) and 5-11 junior center Sarah Evans (9.7).

Davenport could take over at point or coach Anthony Nolan could turn to her sister, eighth-grader Brooklyn Massingill, or freshman Lauren Lee. Juniors Shauntae Lewis and Keisha Mimes are also candidates in the backcourt, along with sophomore Kaitlyn Stittums. Torri Constant (5.3), a 5-11 senior, could move into the starting lineup inside if Nolan chooses a big lineup that shifts Carroll to wing.

3. Harlan - With everyone back from last year’s All “A” championship team, the Lady Dragons could add more titles next season. Senior center Ashley Mullins (17.0) is among the region’s top players and an improving supporting cast led by junior guard Kelly Cox (7.3) will give Harlan an improved offense. Senior point guard Madison Ball (4.0), sophomore wing Jourdan Ledford (7.1) and senior forward Gabrielle Rehnborg (7.1) round out the lineup. Junior guard Samantha Henson (3.0) and senior center Chiah Davis will also contend for starting jobs.

4. Whitley County - The Lady Colonels have made a habit of early exits in recent seasons, a trend that should end in 2012 with strong junior and sophomore classes returning. Sophomore center Kandace Craig, at 6-0, is back inside, along with senior forward Sierra Anderson (5.9). Point guard Brandy Smith (14.9) also returns after a strong freshman season. Junior guards Bethany Powers (4.2) and Jerica Daniels (3.2) will likely join Smith in the backcourt.

5. Bell County - Three starters graduate, but the Lady Cats return two of the region’s top players in senior guard Makayla Neal (10.6) and freshman wing Maci Morris (16.0). Junior Paige Robbins and senior Makayla Elliott could share time in the post. Sophomore Morgan Garnett is a potential starter at guard with 5-10 junior Jamie Boatright and 5-7 senior Kaci Smith the leading candidates at forward.

6. Middlesboro - A strong postseason push, that included a win over Harlan County in the district tournament and Knox Central in the regional, makes the Lady Jackets a team on the rise with only one starter graduating.

Senior guards Ashley Mason (11.3) and Rayanne Moyers (6.8) provide a perimeter threat while 5-9 junior Carissa Padgett (7.0) returns at forward where she could be joined by 5-9 senior Emily Pannochia, who missed last season with an injury. Anajae Stephney (5.7), a 5-8 eighth-grader, is a future star who began to show flashes of her potential after moving into the starting lineup late last season.

7. South Laurel - After struggling through much of the regular season, the Lady Cardinals closed strong and made it all the way to the regional finals before falling to Clay. Another late run is likely next year with Konnie Snyder’s squad losing four seniors.

Senior Macy Clontz (10.0) will provide leadership at guard and could be joined in the backcourt by junior Cassandra Johnson (4.7) and a pair of talented freshmen *— Tori Bell and Karlie Parker. Taylor Arthur (8.2), a 5-10 junior, returns at center. Junior guards Heather Jackson, Sharon Walker and Emily Clonce could also compete for starting jobs.

8. North Laurel - A promising season fell apart when several of North Laurel’s top players were suspended, and the success of the 2012 squad will depend in large part on whether junior Cheyenne Madden and senior Ashley Woolum, both 5-11, are eligible to play.

North Laurel has the region’s top point guard in 5-6 senior Tamara Crawford (14.5), but the wing spots are unsettled with candidates including senior Samantha Proffitt (7.5), sophomore Megan Bryant and senior Jessica Boggs. Sarah Oliver (5.5), a 5-6 junior, returns at forward. Junior forward Jordan Cunigan and junior center Kendyll Ellington will also compete for starting jobs.

9. Corbin - With four of their top six players graduating, the Lady Hounds will rebuild around sophomore guards Miranda Wilson (8.7) and Kayla Wilson (9.0). Seniors Karlie Blackburn and Rachel Massengill are also probable starters after playing key roles off the bench last season. Candidates inside include a trio of juniors in 6-0 Holli Disney, 5-6 Mallory Woods and 5-8 Kristen Fothergill.

10. Knox Central - Led by a trio of returning starters in 6-0 senior center Shakira Gregory (9.9) and 5-10 junior guards Jenna Mills (11.0) and Cassie Shippy (4.8) and the region’s top freshman team, the Lady Panthers have the talent to compete with anyone in the region. Freshmen guards Jessica Sanders (6.1) and Katelyn Combs and 6-1 sophomore center Tyra McNiel will also vie for starting jobs, along with 5-9 senior guard Elizabeth Barrett.

Best of the rest - Barbourville, Jackson County, Williamsburg, Pineville, Lynn Camp and Oneida Baptist.

[Yogibear]

HDE is sorely missed at the Harlan paper.

[Dragonsdad]

Yogibear is right. HDE is cerainly missed a bunch. Also, good luck to both county girls teams Bears and Dragons. I'm proud of them.

[HDE]

The predictions weren't too far off considering it was a year ago.

[RunItUpTheGut]

The predictions weren't too far off considering it was a year ago.

You came exceptionally close.
I think a lot of people couldnt have argued with that prediction a year ago.
Whitley was young and it would have been risky to put them at 2. I think they had to prove themselves before garnering enough respect.
Harlan deserved that number 3 spot, but being stuck against Harlan County in the first round of district was their downfall.
The only big change is Corbin moving ahead to number 6 and moving everyone else down a slot and Mboro was a disspointment.
Cant really blame you for leaving North so low as they had a horrible season with one big upset.

Overall, good job.

What about next year? Will we see that one soon?

[HDE]

You could tell in the summer that Corbin was a little better than I had them rated. Middlesboro didn't build on last year's momentum, plus they did lose one of their starters. Next year's list will be out by the end of the month.