BACK-TO-BACK

The Corbin Redhounds swept through the 13^th region with a perfect record. By doing so, the Redhounds will return to Rupp Arena and the PNC/KHSAA State Basketball Tournament after rolling past the North Laurel Jaguars, 65-42 Monday at The Arena in Corbin.

Corbin defeated 19 opponents from the 13^th region as the senior class of Madison Johnson, Aaron Manns, Isaac Wilson and Luke Stewart compiled a very impressive 75-11 record against region foes. Heading into the Sweet 16 they have won over a hundred games in their four years at Corbin, 105-23 to be exact.

“To go undefeated in region play is pretty special,” said Pietrowski. “We came in the season as one of the teams that might be able to do it. We distanced ourselves to the team that everyone thought would be the favorite. The favorite’s role is not an easy one to play in. We hung tough and in the end we are the best team in the region.”

For Corbin Coach Tony Pietrowski the victory will mean more as the years pass. The victory over the Jaguars was his 200^th since taking the job in 2001. Pietrowski, a former star at Corbin, has averaged 22 wins per season and has a 200-73 record at CHS.

“This is very special to me,” Pietrowski said after the win over the Jaguars. “I really couldn’t fathom when I started out here in Corbin that I would have 200 career wins. I think it is a testament to our program; it’s a testament to everybody that’s been here before me, my coaching staff, and my administration. Hats off to those people believing in me. I will always cherish this one.”

We’ve been here five out of the last six years and won it three out of those five times,” said Pietrowski. “Hats off to these seniors. It’s the 105^th win in four years for this group of seniors. That’s an amazing statistic when you look at it. I couldn’t be happier to take them back to Rupp.”

Defense wins championships! Pietrowski said that was the key to the Redhounds championship run. “We continued to buy in defensively,” he said. “I thought we played good defense in all three games.”

“They came out early got the lead and we didn’t panic,” said Pietrowski. “That’s what championships are about, hanging tough. We kept extending the lead, I never saw this margin of victory ahead of us, but I sure did enjoy it.”

North Laurel’s Dustin Baker and Chris Cheek quickly put the Jaguars ahead 5-0 and the Jaguar faithful had something to cheer about. Wilson put Corbin on the scoreboard with a pair of free throws at the 6:34 mark of the quarter. The Redhounds didn’t score their first field goal until 5:31 left when Manns scored in the paint to pull Corbin within a point. Manns, the National Guard Player of the Game, was credited with a basket when North Laurel’s Adrian Wardrup tipped in a missed shot by the Corbin senior. The basket gave Corbin the lead for good.

The Jaguars tied the game twice before a 9-0 run saw the Redhounds take an 18-9 lead at the end of the first period. Travis Smith, Johnson and Wilson scored the nine points. Wilson hit the only 3-pointer of the game during the run.

The defense was too much for the Jaguars in the second period as Corbin forced six turnovers and caused a terrible shooting spree for North Laurel. The Jaguars hit on 1-of-10 attempts in the period while Corbin connected on 7-of-15 from the field and took a 32-11 lead at the half.

Johnson, one of the top scorers in the region, said about the victory and return trip to Rupp Arena, “They are both sweet. We had a great group of guys last year, but this is the guys that I have grown up with,” he said. “They both mean the same thing to me. It just feels great to get back to Rupp Arena.”

Johnson, along with Manns and Wilson finished with 14 points each to lead the Redhounds past the Jaguars.

“They never get old,” said Wilson of the back-to-back titles. “The feeling never gets old, whether we beat North Laurel or South Laurel I really don’t think it matters who the opponent is whenever you win and get to go to Rupp, it’s the same feeling.”

Wilson said the team was confident they could pull off the win. “We wanted to come out and get a better start. I feel like we did that these last two games. Thank the Lord we got through the first one (Bell County).”

Corbin 50, Clay Co. 45

Defense carried the Redhounds to a 50-45 win over the Clay County Tigers in the semifinals. Clay County eased out to a 12-8 lead after the first quarter, but the Redhounds took control of the game in the second period.

Corbin held the Tigers to 17 points in the next 16 minutes while scoring 28 points. The Redhounds led 36-29 heading into the final frame. Corbin extended the lead to double figures before the Tigers rallied in the final minute to cut the margin to five.

Johnson led the way for the Redhounds with 18 points and eight rebounds. Matthew Taylor tossed in 10 points as well. The Redhounds held Tigers’ leading scorer, Kendale Reed to five points.

Corbin 88, Bell Co. 80

A game that will go down as a 13^th Region Tournament classic. Corbin had to survive four overtimes before advancing to the semifinals with an 88-80 win.

Wilson had career high 43 points on 13-of-21 from the field including a tournament high five 3-pointers. He was 12-of-18 from the free throw line.

“Honestly, the one thing I can tell you, I am tired. The only time I got taken out was when I was leveled. That was one of the funniest games I have ever played in my life. Whether I scored 43 or two that was an awesome game to play in. I feel for Bell County, if I was on the losing end of that war, I don’t know what I would say,” said Wilson.

“We always have that one game that is like this one. Last year it was North Laurel, they gave us fits, this year it was Bell County,” said Wilson.

The Redhounds looked to be defeated at the end of the third overtime, but sophomore Travis Smith hit two free throws with 2.0 left to save the game. Corbin outscored the Bobcats 11-3 in the fourth overtime period.

“When it I hit the first one and it bounced around, I was like “Thank The Lord”. The second one, I knew it was going in. I knew if I missed the second one I would get heck in the locker room, but everything went well,” said Smith.

“This is probably the most exciting game I have ever played in,” he added.

Corbin had to overcome a hot shooting night by the Bobcats, who connected on 54.2 percent from the field, 32-of-59.

The Redhounds were able to force Bell County into 24 turnovers while making 11 themselves in the game.