VIDEO: Corbin wins region!

The region target has been on the back of the Corbin Redhounds since November 15. Corbin hit the bulls’ eye Tuesday night as they hammered the South Laurel Cardinals, 71-35 and left no question about who is the king of the 13th region.

With most fans expecting a nail-biter, every seat was accounted for at Bell County High on Log Mountain for the fifth showdown of the season between the only two teams to capture the last four 13th region titles.

The Redhounds (29-3) won the first two meetings by 10 and 18 points respectively, both games at Gilliam Gym. The win on December 31, allowed the Redhounds to claim the Cumberland Falls Invitational title.

However, the third game saw the Cardinals win in London, 66-58, forcing a tie in the district seeding process. That set the stage for a championship match in the 50th District Tournament two weeks ago with the Redhounds taking an eight-point win, 66-58.

Both teams survived scares in the 13th Region Tournament. Corbin got past Harlan County rather easily 65-41, but eased past upset-minded North Laurel Monday night, 56-51.

South Laurel had to squeak past Clay County in the first-round, 51-49 then handed Middlesboro an 81-68 loss.

That set the stage for the biggest prize of them all, a trip to Rupp Arena and the 2009 National City Sweet Sixteen against the winner of the Eastern-Jeffersontown 7th Region final.

Little did anyone know Corbin junior Madison Johnson would, score only two points, or, South Laurel junior Matt St. John would score eight points after a 24-point, 32-rebound effort against Middlesboro.

But, several other Redhounds stepped up and carried the load. Senior Josh Smith tossed in 18 points scoring Corbin’s first 10 points of the game as the ‘Hounds led 17-10 after one quarter.

In the second quarter it was Josh Crawford, the tournament’s MVP, who scored eight points as the Cardinals shutdown Smith. Crawford finished the game with 16 points.

But, the night belonged to Isaac Wilson, a junior guard, who scored 18 points. It was Wilson who set the tempo of the game early for the Redhounds. Wilson hadn’t been able to play his game in the first two rounds because of foul trouble.

"We’ve come up short two years in a row. To finally get it, there are no words to describe it," said Wilson. "We’re happy with this, not completely happy, we are ready for Rupp."

"I wasn’t able to get in the flow the first two games, I got in early foul trouble and tonight I cam out and played smart. I kept my fouls low and got into the flow and played my game," he added.

It was Smith putting on a show in the first quarter, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to put the Redhounds ahead 6-2. The Cardinals came back to tie the game behind Matthew Gilbert. The game was tied at 8-8 when Corbin went on a 9-2 run in the final four minutes to take the lead for good.

Smith started the run with a pair of free throws followed by back-to-back baskets by Josh Crawford. Senior Lee Crawford hit a three-pointer to push the lead out to seven at the first stop.

The onslaught was just beginning. Wilson scored his first basket of the game to start the second quarter followed by a Josh Crawford bucket for a double-digit lead, 21-10.

Three minutes later Corbin was on top, 30-15 when Wilson nailed a three-pointer. Corbin went to the half ahead, 32-19.

Everything continued to go Corbin’s way in the second half as the battered Cardinals looked fatigued. They were able to hit only 3 of 11 baskets against the Redhounds’ defense in the third period while posting only eight points. Corbin added 20 points in the quarter as the Redhounds took a 52-27 lead into the final eight minutes.

Holding off any celebrations, the Redhounds put the game away in the fourth quarter by outscoring South Laurel, 19-8. Wilson had seven of his 18 points in the period.

The Redhounds controlled the inside of the game as well, holding the Cardinals to 23 rebounds while pulling down 43 boards. Crawford hauled down 12 rebounds in the win to lead Corbin in that category.

"Night in, night out, you’ve got to come ready to play in the 13th region," said Corbin Coach Tony Pietrowski. "We didn’t play real well in the first two rounds but we gathered ourselves and came in here tonight ready to play. The way we played tonight was exceptional. I didn’t see a win like this coming but it sure was fun."

"I thought our kids that came off the bench, Lee, Blake and Travis did a lot of good things for us to win the game," Pietrowski said.

"I’m just so happy for our fans," said Pietrowski. "We have such great fans, such great support. I am looking forward to enjoying this one and getting ready for state."

Corbin 71, South Laurel 35

Corbin 17 15 20 19- 71

South Laurel 10 9 8 8- 35

Corbin (71) – Johnson 2, Manns 8, Josh Smith 18, Hendrickson 4, Josh Crawford 16, Lee Crawford 5, Wilson 18.

South Laurel (35) – Gilbert 8, Smith 10, St. John 8, Watkins 7, Dean 2.

Three-point shooting: Corbin 4-12 (Wilson 1, Smith 2, Crawford 1), South Laurel 2-21 (Gilbert 1, Watkins 1). Rebounds: South Laurel 23 (St. John 5, Smith 5), Corbin 43 (Crawford 12). Turnovers: South Laurel 10, Corbin 8.