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BOYS 13TH REGION
Posted On 26 Feb 2012
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The Corbin Redhounds will begin their quest for a 13th Region Basketball title Thursday night when they take on the Pineville Mountain Lions at 8 p.m. at the Arena in Corbin.
The Redhounds, a 70-64 winner over the South Laurel Cardinals Saturday night landed in the bottom bracket and will take on 51st District runner-up, Pineville.
Pineville (11-18) battled their way to the regional tournament with an upset of Barbourville in the first-round of the 51st District Tournament at Lynn Camp last week. The Lions beat the Tigers, 66-65, but lost to Knox Central in the championship, 53-46.
Pineville, coached by J.D. Strange, lost to the Redhounds back on Jan. 27 at Corbin’s Gilliam Gym, 68-54.
However, Corbin Coach Tony Pietrowski says this is a dangerous Pineville team. “The draw always plays out interesting for the fans, but we will do like we always do and key in on that first game.”
“Our kids and fans have to understand that Pineville is a much-improved team. Obviously, we them upsetting Barbourville in the first-round and played right with Knox Central the entire game in the district final,” Pietrowski said.
“We have to get ready. J. D. has been through a bunch of these battles and knows how to win in post-season,” Pietrowski said. “We have to take them one at a time and do everything we can do to beat Pineville then hopefully move on from there.”
If the Redhounds get past Pineville they will have to face the winner of the Clay County-Harlan County game. Clay County was the preseason favorite, but Harlan County has been at the top of the region most of the season. They are considered the number one and two teams in the post-season.
The upper bracket is wide open with Middlesboro (18-13) pulling off not one, but two shocking victories to win the 52nd district. The Yellow Jackets defeated Bell County, the defending regional champion, 59-53, then knocked off Harlan County at Harlan County, 53-48 to claim the district title. They will play North Laurel, the 49th district runner-up to Clay County. The Jaguars are a dangerous team as well. The two teams have not met this season.
Knox Central, the 51st District winner will take on South Laurel in the final first-round game. The Panthers (23-7) lost to the Cardinals earlier in the season, 48-37 at South Laurel.
Game times and scheduled are posted above.
