[Basketball Wizzard]

Going to be a long up and down season for 13th Region teams this year. There was a big talent drop off due to graduations in the 50th for sure and I don't expect any of them to be in the hunt for a Regional Title. I'm going to go ahead and pick my Region Champ now....... Clay Co........ Bell Co. still has Morris.....but, one girl can't win a Region Title I don't think.... Losing Garnett hurt Bell Co. more than most people realize.:pondering:

[HDE]

I think Bella Noe, Harlan County's senior point guard, is probably a top 10 player in the region. I have also noticed that Bruner is getting a lot of attention from coaches, but I'd say Noe is about the same level. She's big and athletic.

You could make a case that the 52nd has seven or eight of the top 15 players in the region with Morris and Sanders at Bell, Brock, Massingill, Mitchell and Bianchi at Harlan and Green, Noe, Branson and Gross at Harlan County.

[ky playmaker]

clay looks pretty good this early

[PapaSparks]

clay looks pretty good this early

Teams will have to either exhaust Clay or get them into foul trouble. Their top 5 could be enough to get them to state.

[Ballerguy]

1. Bell Co...(Morris)
2. Harlan City (young returning Starters)
3. Clay co (good solid nucleus)
4. Harlan co (Green hire and transfer)
5. North Laurel (shooters)
6. Corbin (will be better than most think)
7. Whitley co (solid young team could struggle early)
8. Lynn Camp (starting guards return)
9. South Laurel (much improved)
10. Knox Central (we will see)

[UKCC]

Knew it wouldn't take the Lady Tigers long to get back. Came a basket away from a region finals appearance last year. Cotton is a top 3-4 player and they have a really nice 5. Depth will be the only issue.

[64SUR]

Hearing good things about clay county girls basketball....not kidding :popcorn:

[insideinfo]

Knew it wouldn't take the Lady Tigers long to get back. Came a basket away from a region finals appearance last year. Cotton is a top 3-4 player and they have a really nice 5. Depth will be the only issue.

When you have the top coach in the region, you don't stay down for long.

[insideinfo]

I think Bella Noe, Harlan County's senior point guard, is probably a top 10 player in the region. I have also noticed that Bruner is getting a lot of attention from coaches, but I'd say Noe is about the same level. She's big and athletic.

You could make a case that the 52nd has seven or eight of the top 15 players in the region with Morris and Sanders at Bell, Brock, Massingill, Mitchell and Bianchi at Harlan and Green, Noe, Branson and Gross at Harlan County.

Is the Green hire a done deal, or is she still temporary?

[bear claw]

Done deal.

[UKCC]

When you have the top coach in the region, you don't stay down for long.

Would have to agree.

[JagNation]

Clay has experienced players. That will make a huge difference. The rest of the region is relatively young. There is so much young talent.... (and contrary to what HDE may think - the majority of it is outside of Harlan County).

[HDE]

Most of the young talent in the regional freshmen tournament the past two or three years has been from Whitley County and Harlan County.

The best sophomore in the region is Jordan Brock at Harlan.
The best freshman in the region is Blair Green at Harlan County. Abbey Estes from Whitley, Madison Shepherd from North, Kaylea Gross from Harlan County and Mackenzie King from Harlan have also been impressive

Who am I missing?

[Olred]

I agree and have said myself that Harlan ind is loaded with good young talent and Harlan county is got some very solid players and is deep with that fr class and that is probably the main reason green is at HC. I do think though your list is very short sighted with so many good players from Corbin, south, north and even Knox central has some young talent that may finally be groomed. 3 names I would not leave off of a list is the cromer girl from south, Lawson from north, and the youngest Wilson girl from Corbin. I do think HDE knows the region better than most though. So I am not questioning knowledge.

[JagNation]

I was just poking at HDE. Hard to tell a lot about Harlan Co Freshman because they don't play outside competition much in middle school. I follow Corbin fairly close too, and while Corbin has some really good soph, their classes under that are not very strong. Knox does have some solid players, their best is McCombs who will only be in 8th grade.

And don't forget Bridges (So) from NL. She's def one of top players. Again I know I'm bias but I wouldn't trade either Lawson or Sheppard for any other freshman guard in the Region.

[HDE]

I'm always looking for more information/opinions. One reason I watch 50 or so JV/frosh games every year is to see the young players.
It looked like Corbin had a real good group of sophomores last year with Wilson and Jewell having to wait their turn to start with the loaded senior class they had.
I thought Knox Central was a little above average, but McCombs did stand out.
I think you could tell a lot about Harlan County's eighth graders last year when four of them started on the team that won the freshman regional tournament.

[JagNation]

Problem with the Freshman tournament is that sooo many of the 8th graders and Freshman played varsity last year and didn't compete in the Freshmen Tournament... But obviously the fact that Harlan County won does indicate they have a solid class.

Corbin had a very good So class. Not as many good players as was in their SR class, but still very good.

HDE, rank the best 4-5 players in each class in the region....

[HDE]

I think several of the good teams were there. Harlan started two freshmen, so they weren't in it though.

I do that list every March in a column. I have the most recent one somewhere. I'll find it. It's easier to criticize my list though when you don't have one of your own.

[Olred]

I hope you don't take my opinion as any criticism to you as I said I think you know the Region better than most. I think we ALL have some bias, but I just like the discussion. It keeps me from my boredom! I do agree that the fr tournament is not the greatest sign of strong classes, but it usually shows strong PROGRAMS. Programs shouldn't have to be playing 8th graders on a varsity team but it happens.

[HDE]

I agree about the program aspect of the freshman tournament. I hadn't thought of it that way.
I enjoy the debate/discussion. I do know the Harlan County/Harlan kids better, so if it's close I will tend to go that direction, especially with the younger players.
I'm trying to figure out who that minority is who know the 13th Region better. I know there aren't many/any who spend more time watching.

[Olred]

Knowing something the "best" is very subjective. I do try and go and see even summer games for most in this region. I do focus more on the girls side of the region but I do try and see both throughout the year. I'm for sure not saying I know it better and I know I have bias but I'm just hesitant to say any single person on here knows the region better than someone else.

[ky playmaker]

I love greens game. gonna be a good one. I also love sheps game and she is just now starting to work at the game. watch out when she does. lawson is a great competitor and talented. has to work on her left hand. estes is smart and can shoot. handles ball well. love her game. cromer is athletic and talented. shoots the ball well at times. needs to get skilled and learn the game, just plays off talent as of now. wilson will also be a good one not watched her alot though

[JagNation]

I'm still waiting on HDE's list of best players by class.... I know I give you a hard time, but I do respect your opinion.

this should be an exciting year

[Ballerguy]

I heard the hicks girl from barbourville transferred to knox central..if she recovers from knee injury she is another good young player in this region

[HDE]

I'm still waiting on HDE's list of best players by class.... I know I give you a hard time, but I do respect your opinion.

this should be an exciting year

Top juniors

Maci Morris, Bell County

Jayci Cotton, Clay County

Jessica Sanders, Bell County

Bella Noe, Harlan County

Torri Mitchell, Harlan

Top sophomores

Brooklyn Massingill, Harlan County

Kelli Smith, Bell County

Katrina Johnson, Bell County

Kayla Bruner, North Laurel

Lindsay Branson, Harlan County

Top freshmen

Jordan Brock, Harlan

Emma Bianchi, Harlan

Katie Reynolds, South Laurel

Ashton Bridges, North Laurel

Kameryn Ashurst, Corbin

[JagNation]

not bad., although I think you have Mitchell way too high. I would agree Noe has that potential but not sure she is top 5. but overall good... how would you rank the class that will be Freshman - we think that's our best class in years at North

[Basketball Wizzard]

Top juniors

Maci Morris, Bell County

Jayci Cotton, Clay County

Jessica Sanders, Bell County

Bella Noe, Harlan County

Torri Mitchell, Harlan

Top sophomores

Brooklyn Massingill, Harlan County

Kelli Smith, Bell County

Katrina Johnson, Bell County

Kayla Bruner, North Laurel

Lindsay Branson, Harlan County

Top freshmen

Jordan Brock, Harlan

Emma Bianchi, Harlan

Katie Reynolds, South Laurel

Ashton Bridges, North Laurel

Kameryn Ashurst, Corbin

Not to be picky or anything......but I think your current grade level is off by 1 year.... they maybe.....should all be a grade higher.:popcorn:

[HDE]

JagNation wanted player ratings. I wrote this in March.

[HDE]

not bad., although I think you have Mitchell way too high. I would agree Noe has that potential but not sure she is top 5. but overall good... how would you rank the class that will be Freshman - we think that's our best class in years at North

I think Mitchell was the second best player on Harlan's team last year. She can play every position on the floor, can shoot, rebound and handle the ball.

Who do you have ahead of Noe and Mitchell in next year's senior class?

[JagNation]

With Summer ball over..... Here are my latest rankings.... what are your thoughts

Top 3 could interchange
1. Clay - I know it's a big jump. But they had an impressive summer.
2. Bell - Morris can't do it alone
3. Harlan City - They won't be a surprise this year, might be tougher then expected for them
No's 4-8 are close.
4. North Laurel - Great Summer. Got better every time out.
5. Corbin - didn't have a top player, will be fine.
6. Harlan County - we'll see how they do.
7. South Laurel - Look for them to take a major leap.
8. Whitley - I don't see who is going to replace what they lost.
9-10 - have the potential to knock off a 4-6 team
9. Knox Central - Messer is just what they needed
10. Lynn Camp - veteran coach will have them ready to compete
after that I don't see anyone being able to compete....