[Granny Bear]

Harlan County is ahead of the pack because they pass the "eye test" right now. Pineville and LCC arent the best measuring sticks, but this team played very well this summer. If im not mistaken, they beat Johnson Central and Cordia among others. You are really underestimating this team. Like I said, they have experience in the junior class. They have size with Caldwell, Lee, and Massey. Caldwell is as skilled a player at his size as there is around here. He plays inside or out, handles the ball and makes plays. Massey mans the paint, rebounds, and plays great post D. They are the best shooting team in the distrcit as well...period. Dont even try to argue that point. They have 6 guys that can shoot the three effectively. The difference tho will be guard play, and Harlan county has plenty of that. Great ball handling team!!

Calm down Professor, and don't lecture me on Caldwell, Lee or Massey!! Caldwell is my biological grand nephew, but much more like my grandson living next door. You can tell me NOTHING about that young man!!!

I rank Middlesboro ahead of harlan simply because Harlan's youth in the backcourt will be too much to overcome. I think they turned it over 20 plus times last night. That will not get it done. Foister at middlesboro will be a steady hand in the backcourt, and that means something on all levels. Now with that said, if Harlan's guards mature and start handling the ball with more consistency then maybe they become legit.

Foister is one of the best guards in the whole region, IMO; mainly because he plays just as hard on D as he does on O......great kid, too!!

You are correct, they did beat JC and cordia this summer..... With Miller on the team, who was without a doubt the best player they had.. Also, I know for a fact Cordia didnt have cunningham OR Keita at the time.. Those summer wins are pointless, if we are going off of that, I do beleive HHS beat Corbin this summer, does that automatically qualify them to be top 5 in the region?

This is a true statement. I would; however, argue that Miller was the best player we had. Skills are certainly there, but they must be coachable in order to be effective.

I think Harlan Co. is very underrated. Losing some bigger names to graduation has some folks sleeping on this team. I'm telling you This team plays very well together. They have size (not huge), but enough size. They have shooting, and they have very good guard play. The two Freshmen they have are very good, and play beyond their years. I think they are hands down, the best team in the district. In fact, it may not be close. I think Bell Co. will get it together and may have a chance to challenge Harlan Co. I still say Middlesboro is 3rd. Foister and Poindexter are just too good. I don't know what's going on with them right now, but Middlesboro has proven to be very dangerous the past few years. Foister can score in bunches and Poindexter is a man in the paint when he wants to be. Harlan has some size, but again, you have to have someone to take care of the ball. At this point, I don't see anyone that can do that for them.

I don't particularly agree with the first bolded statement. That still remains to be seen. Foister and Poindexter have played together so long, that they are a frightening and productive team when they are clicking. I would watch this Middlesboro team; they have a wonderful coach, too.