2023 13th Region Tournament: Redhounds advance with win over Harlan Co.

The Corbin Redhounds faced the Harlan County Black Bears Thursday evening in the first round of the boys’ 13^th Region tournament. Much of the game was a defensive battle, but in the end the Hounds were able to advance with a 61-53 win.

Harlan County came out the aggressor, taking advantage of some missed shots by the Redhounds in the very early stages of the game. The Black Bears’ first few offensive possessions temporarily put Corbin back on their heels, but it didn’t take long for the Hounds to settle in and begin taking control.

At the end of the opening quarter, Corbin had established a 10-6 lead. The boys in red then ramped up the defensive pressure in the second quarter and did a good job on the boards. They were able to convert on their end of the court more times than not, but Harlan County also came through with points when they had to have them. Going into the half, the Redhounds maintained the lead, with the Black Bears still well within striking distance, 19-14.

Both teams struggled getting shots to fall for the first half of what was a very physical third quarter of play, but the offense eventually came, with Corbin adding 14 points to their score and Harlan County adding 15.

A 9-2 run by the Hounds in the fourth quarter made the Black Bears desperate, causing them to begin putting up several long range shots that did not find their mark. Corbin also stepped up and made free throws when it was necessary, going on to secure the 61-53 victory.

With the win, the Redhounds improve to 22-7 on the year and advance to the regional semifinals on Saturday where they will face the 19-10 Barbourville Tigers. The Tigers defeated Clay County in game one Thursday evening to earn their spot in the tournament semis.

Corbin narrowly defeated Barbourville, 59-57, back on Feb. 9 in a game where the Hounds’ leading scorer, senior Hayden Llewellyn, was not in action.

Corbin versus Barbourville is scheduled to tip off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Arena. The News Journal will provide coverage here on thenewsjournal.net after the completion of the game.

Corbin 61, Harlan County 53

Individual scoring: Hayden Llewellyn 6, Zander Curry 9, Trey Worley 4, Carter Stewart 11, Kade Elam 3, Brody Wells 8, Eli Pietrowski 20

Photos courtesy of ASHLEY NORVELL