[Keystone12]

1. South Laurel
2. Harlan County
3. North Laurel
4. Corbin
5. Bell County
6. Clay County
7. Whitley County
8. Pineville
9. Knox Central
10. Barbourville

South has the most returning with Mabe. Still no true PG though. HC will still be legit with Maddox Huff. The health of Reggie Cottrell is a big question. A lot of questions surrounding clay co and how they will move forward.  Bell and North have nice squads that could make a run. Corbin has a couple transfers that may or may not play. Don’t be surprised to see them there in the end again.

[shottaker23]

1. South Laurel
2. Harlan County
3. North Laurel
4. Corbin
5. Bell County
6. Clay County
7. Whitley County
8. Pineville
9. Knox Central
10. Barbourville

South has the most returning with Mabe. Still no true PG though. HC will still be legit with Maddox Huff. The health of Reggie Cottrell is a big question. A lot of questions surrounding clay co and how they will move forward.  Bell and North have nice squads that could make a run. Corbin has a couple transfers that may or may not play. Don’t be surprised to see them there in the end again.

Nice list. I see
1 SL 2 Bell 3 HC 4 Whitley 5 NL 6 Corbin 7 KC 8 Clay 9 Pineville 10 OBI. Only way SL  loses is if something happens to Mabe. Him and Steele will share the PG In crunch time. Huff is the best offensive player in the 13th but no one else will average double digits on HC. Bell will surprise defensively. Corbin has a lot of internal turmoil. NL will be ok but zero inside game

[Old School Hound]

1. South Laurel
2. Harlan County
3. North Laurel
4. Corbin
5. Bell County
6. Clay County
7. Whitley County
8. Pineville
9. Knox Central
10. Barbourville

South has the most returning with Mabe. Still no true PG though. HC will still be legit with Maddox Huff. The health of Reggie Cottrell is a big question. A lot of questions surrounding clay co and how they will move forward.  Bell and North have nice squads that could make a run. Corbin has a couple transfers that may or may not play. Don’t be surprised to see them there in the end again.

Nice list. I see
1 SL 2 Bell 3 HC 4 Whitley 5 NL 6 Corbin 7 KC 8 Clay 9 Pineville 10 OBI. Only way SL  loses is if something happens to Mabe. Him and Steele will share the PG In crunch time. Huff is the best offensive player in the 13th but no one else will average double digits on HC. Bell will surprise defensively. Corbin has a lot of internal turmoil. NL will be ok but zero inside game

Explain, so that people won't think you are just making sh!t up.

[shottaker23]

1. South Laurel
2. Harlan County
3. North Laurel
4. Corbin
5. Bell County
6. Clay County
7. Whitley County
8. Pineville
9. Knox Central
10. Barbourville

South has the most returning with Mabe. Still no true PG though. HC will still be legit with Maddox Huff. The health of Reggie Cottrell is a big question. A lot of questions surrounding clay co and how they will move forward.  Bell and North have nice squads that could make a run. Corbin has a couple transfers that may or may not play. Don’t be surprised to see them there in the end again.

Nice list. I see
1 SL 2 Bell 3 HC 4 Whitley 5 NL 6 Corbin 7 KC 8 Clay 9 Pineville 10 OBI. Only way SL  loses is if something happens to Mabe. Him and Steele will share the PG In crunch time. Huff is the best offensive player in the 13th but no one else will average double digits on HC. Bell will surprise defensively. Corbin has a lot of internal turmoil. NL will be ok but zero inside game

Explain, so that people won't think you are just making sh!t up.

To be blunt you got one kid and their dad that is a cancer. I’ve heard from several close to the program and it’s mentioned on another thread on here by someone else other than me. Kid was shopped to 2 programs in the 13th and one outside. Coach P pulled favors to get a college coach to speak with player to calm dad down. I know you watch the games so check it out yourself. Apologies to the hounds but this will be their most down year in a while. Still middle of the pack in a weak region (compared to recent years). Hopefully that explains to you that I’m not making sh!t up. What is your top 10?

[Keystone12]

I saw them play a few times. That kid seemed like a baller for an 8th grader. I didn’t see anything negative that stood out. I can only imagine he will be better this year. Pietrowski still a stud.

[HOOPFAN]

1. South Laurel
2. Harlan County
3. North Laurel
4. Corbin
5. Bell County
6. Clay County
7. Whitley County
8. Pineville
9. Knox Central
10. Barbourville

South has the most returning with Mabe. Still no true PG though. HC will still be legit with Maddox Huff. The health of Reggie Cottrell is a big question. A lot of questions surrounding clay co and how they will move forward.  Bell and North have nice squads that could make a run. Corbin has a couple transfers that may or may not play. Don’t be surprised to see them there in the end again.

1. South Laurel
2. North Laurel
3. Harlan County
4-5 could be either Corbin or Bell in either position.

[UKCC]

I’m not sure how good the Tigers will be but I think a lot of people are really just tossing Clay to the side blindly. They lose two big pieces but it’s not like they don’t return two very good guards as their starting backcourt. Not to mention one of the better sophomores in the region. They also have several pieces that have been waiting their time in recent years. Depth will be a question but even their big, while undersized, can play. I understand not putting them in the Top 3 but these rankings of 8 or lower are a little much for me.

[shottaker23]

I’m not sure how good the Tigers will be but I think a lot of people are really just tossing Clay to the side blindly. They lose two big pieces but it’s not like they don’t return two very good guards as their starting backcourt. Not to mention one of the better sophomores in the region. They also have several pieces that have been waiting their time in recent years. Depth will be a question but even their big, while undersized, can play. I understand not putting them in the Top 3 but these rankings of 8 or lower are a little much for me.

Everyone has an opinion, mine was that Clay will be the 8th best team in the region this year. Apologies if you disagree but with anyones rankings you can obviously do your own as other people have. My opinion is that Harris was the heart and soul of that team and provided a toughness plus offensive ability that they can't replace. Yes they do have one good guard but in the 13th year in and year out there are several good guards. While guard play will be a strength for Clay I think several teams matchup very well against Clay guardwise. What is your opinion of rankings for the 13th?

[case international]

definitely agree with south laurel being the team to beat.Clay plays South three times this year and we should tell where the Tigers stack up.Clay will have a good ballteam but their outside shooting must be improved in my opinion.Clay will battle all game with you and will be a hard out come tourney time.best of luck to all 13th region teams.

[shottaker23]

definitely agree with south laurel being the team to beat.Clay plays South three times this year and we should tell where the Tigers stack up.Clay will have a good ballteam but their outside shooting must be improved in my opinion.Clay will battle all game with you and will be a hard out come tourney time.best of luck to all 13th region teams.

That one is a typo, they only play twice. Not that Summer ball matters but if I remember correctly SL running clocked em during the summer for a 20piece, was more but they took the starters out. Again may be incorrect of that because I wasn't there. Clay is always a hard out during Tourney.

[nedreader]

How does Clay return their starting backcourt if Roark isn’t going to be there? Clay has some decent pieces but without Roark I think they struggle. The other guards they have don’t beat people off the dribble like Roark does. As for Harris, I definitely wouldn’t call him the heart and soul of the team…that was definitely Bundy and I think they’ll miss his rebounding and overall game as much or more than Harris.

[shottaker23]

How does Clay return their starting backcourt if Roark isn’t going to be there?  Clay has some decent pieces but without Roark I think they struggle.  The other guards they have don’t beat people off the dribble like Roark does.  As for Harris, I definitely wouldn’t call him the heart and soul of the team…that was definitely Bundy and I think they’ll miss his rebounding and overall game as much or more than Harr

I have heard multiple rumors on this...Is he staying or gone back to the Burg? I know the situation but has anything actually occurred?

[HCS]

I don't see how he could be there if he's leaving. Practice starts in a week.
I think Clay is definitely a top 5 team if Roark is there.

[UKCC]

Like HCS, practice starts in just a few days and from all accounts Roark is with Clay. Roark and Jackson are a very tough 1-2 for the vast majority of teams they’ll play outside of the Top 2. I agree they lack overall shooting but they will have a couple kids that can make a shot from outside on the floor at all times. I look for Grubb to absolutely explode this season. He was showing flashes late. Wagers inside is undersized but against most mountain teams he is fine. Depth and shooting will be the thing Clay has to overcome IMO.

As for rankings, outside of the Top 2 who knows what we may get but I see it something like this.

South
Harlan County

North
Bell
Clay
Corbin
Knox

One interesting thing is how different everyone’s rankings are after 1 and 2. That goes to show probably how wide open that group is.

[nedreader]

So Clay will basically start Roark, Jackson, Hooker, Grubb and Wagers? Not a bad group but they definitely won’t be as deep as they were last year and again, perimeter shooting will be a challenge. But, if this is indeed the starting 5 I don’t see any way they aren’t a top 5 team.

[runthepill]

I agree nedreader. I would have Clay #3

[UKCC]

So Clay will basically start Roark, Jackson, Hooker, Grubb and Wagers?  Not a bad group but they definitely won’t be as deep as they were last year and again, perimeter shooting will be a challenge.  But, if this is indeed the starting 5 I don’t see any way they aren’t a top 5 team.

Yes, that’s my thinking too. Depth and overall shooting could be an issue but even with what they have they should be in that next group after South and Harlan County.

[HCS]

I sort of expected Dezarn instead of Hooker, but I guess it could go either way. So, that's six guys with some varsity experience.
I think Clay is more than capable of beating South or HC on a good night, but then again they could lose to North, Bell, Knox or Corbin. OBI could be more dangerous this year than in a long time.
Clay will be third in the Cats Pause.

[Varsityclub2004]

1. South Laurel
2. Harlan County
3. North Laurel
4. Corbin
5. Bell County
6. Clay County
7. Whitley County
8. Pineville
9. Knox Central
10. Barbourville

South has the most returning with Mabe. Still no true PG though. HC will still be legit with Maddox Huff. The health of Reggie Cottrell is a big question. A lot of questions surrounding clay co and how they will move forward.  Bell and North have nice squads that could make a run. Corbin has a couple transfers that may or may not play. Don’t be surprised to see them there in the end again.

Nice list. I see
1 SL 2 Bell 3 HC 4 Whitley 5 NL 6 Corbin 7 KC 8 Clay 9 Pineville 10 OBI. Only way SL  loses is if something happens to Mabe. Him and Steele will share the PG In crunch time. Huff is the best offensive player in the 13th but no one else will average double digits on HC. Bell will surprise defensively. Corbin has a lot of internal turmoil. NL will be ok but zero inside game

Explain, so that people won't think you are just making sh!t up.

To be blunt you got one kid and their dad that is a cancer. I’ve heard from several close to the program and it’s mentioned on another thread on here by someone else other than me. Kid was shopped to 2 programs in the 13th and one outside. Coach P pulled favors to get a college coach to speak with player to calm dad down. I know you watch the games so check it out yourself. Apologies to the hounds but this will be their most down year in a while. Still middle of the pack in a weak region (compared to recent years). Hopefully that explains to you that I’m not making sh!t up. What is your top 10?

“To be blunt you got one kid and their dad that is a cancer. I’ve heard from several close to the program and it’s mentioned on another thread on here by someone else other than me. Kid was shopped to 2 programs in the 13th and one outside.” this sounds like some jealousy or bad blood…the kids a stud. It’s funny that anytime a kid in this region moves to try to better themselves someone gets on here talking crap and saying they’ve been “shopped to other programs.” He’s a kid and a heck of a player. Corbin was a great move for him bath academically and athletically. I watched corbin multiple times last year both home and away and never saw any issues with him or the dad. Veteran players on the team had nothing but positive things to say. I also think Corbin will shock a lot of folks. I hope this kid and the hounds have an incredible season! 

[dodger]

Favorites
1. SL
2. HC

Contenders (could be in almost any order, not much separation)
3. Bell
4. Corbin
5. Clay
6. Knox
7. NL
8. Whitley (can't rank them higher until they win in the post-season)

All A Favorites (could scare someone in a one-game shot at the Arena)
9. Pineville
10. OBI

Best of the rest: W-Burg, Jackson, B-ville

[pjdoug]

Whitley County has a pretty good team

[HCS]

Swords works hard and does a great job. I think Whitley lost four of its top six though. I thought they had a great chance last year to win that district with a senior team. Sometimes it works out when you don't expect though.

[da_dime]

I sort of expected Dezarn instead of Hooker, but I guess it could go either way. So, that's six guys with some varsity experience.
I think Clay is more than capable of beating South or HC on a good night, but then again they could lose to North, Bell, Knox or Corbin. OBI could be more dangerous this year than in a long time.
Clay will be third in the Cats Pause.

"I sort of expected Dezarn instead of Hooker, but I guess it could go either way." 

Your not up to tune with CC politics I see.

[cchsfan4life]

I’m not sure how good the Tigers will be but I think a lot of people are really just tossing Clay to the side blindly. They lose two big pieces but it’s not like they don’t return two very good guards as their starting backcourt. Not to mention one of the better sophomores in the region. They also have several pieces that have been waiting their time in recent years. Depth will be a question but even their big, while undersized, can play. I understand not putting them in the Top 3 but these rankings of 8 or lower are a little much for me.

Clay has a ton of internal issues going on.  I am not sure the status on Roark but I don't see him staying there and I don't blame the kid for leaving.  Wagers is hurt from football and may miss some time.  If Roark stays I can see Clay as a top 5 team because he can handle the ball and is a driving threat.  If he departs then Clay has no true point guard and will struggle.

[HCS]

I sort of expected Dezarn instead of Hooker, but I guess it could go either way. So, that's six guys with some varsity experience.
I think Clay is more than capable of beating South or HC on a good night, but then again they could lose to North, Bell, Knox or Corbin. OBI could be more dangerous this year than in a long time.
Clay will be third in the Cats Pause.

"I sort of expected Dezarn instead of Hooker, but I guess it could go either way." 

Your not up to tune with CC politics I see.

Yeah, no clue about that. Just a guess from seeing them play a few times.
Makes no sense for Roark to still be there if he's leaving, but stranger things have happened.
I've never seen coach Jones not have a competitive team, so I expect them to be in the mix unless he loses a key player or two.

[UKCC]

I sort of expected Dezarn instead of Hooker, but I guess it could go either way. So, that's six guys with some varsity experience.
I think Clay is more than capable of beating South or HC on a good night, but then again they could lose to North, Bell, Knox or Corbin. OBI could be more dangerous this year than in a long time.
Clay will be third in the Cats Pause.

"I sort of expected Dezarn instead of Hooker, but I guess it could go either way." 

Your not up to tune with CC politics I see.

Yeah, no clue about that. Just a guess from seeing them play a few times.
Makes no sense for Roark to still be there if he's leaving, but stranger things have happened.
I've never seen coach Jones not have a competitive team, so I expect them to be in the mix unless he loses a key player or two.

With only a few days before opening day, it would not make sense. As of 3 minutes ago, he has not.

[Houndsmam1947]

How does Clay return their starting backcourt if Roark isn’t going to be there?  Clay has some decent pieces but without Roark I think they struggle.  The other guards they have don’t beat people off the dribble like Roark does.  As for Harris, I definitely wouldn’t call him the heart and soul of the team…that was definitely Bundy and I think they’ll miss his rebounding and overall game as much or more than Harris.

1. S.L
2. Harlan
3. Bell
4. North
5. Rest the pack
If memory serves me correctly Harris was out 8 games last year and Clay lost 7 of 8 so i would say he was the heart and soul of the team.
Clay has the talent to be a top 3 team this year even after loosing 2 magor pieces but with Roark up in the air and other internal issues I just cant see clay being a factor. Seems like certain coaches are still up to the same old tricks.