Corbin boys fall to Harlan Co in first round of region tourney

The Corbin Redhounds ended their season with a 19-11 record after losing 62-48 to the Harlan County Black Bears Thursday night in the first round of this year’s 13th Region tournament at the Arena.

It was a sloppy game, and neither team was really ever able to get into a consistent rhythm on offense. There were several missed baskets on both ends of the floor, and plenty of fouling. At the end of one quarter the score was tied at just 8-8. When the first half came to close, Harlan County held on to a narrow 19-15 lead.

Things remained close in the third, with the Redhounds outscoring the Bears 16-14 to pull within two points, 31-33. Harlan County was finally able to establish a double digit lead in the fourth quarter. Corbin looked as if they might rally at one point, but ultimately they would fall by a 14-point deficit.

After the game, Head Coach Tony Pietrowski said, “I felt like we had opportunities in the first half to get a lead, but we turned the ball over, and we weren’t getting shots. We weren’t able to finish, and I felt like the first half was pretty much ugly overall.”

“We came out in the second half and gave them a couple of easy buckets, allowing them to extend their lead. We came back on them again, but in the end we were just not able to make enough shots, we committed too many turnovers, and we didn’t get enough stops. They were they better team tonight, and they deserved to win.”

This is the end for the Hounds this season, but the future is looking bright for the program. Next year Pietrowski will get his entire group back. When asked about those prospects, he said, “The pieces are there. We have enough talent, but it’s just going to take some work and dedication in the offseason.”

“I think we’re on the precipice of competing for a region title in the next two or three years. It’s not just going to happen, though. We have to put in the work, and I think this group will. If we do, then I think we’ll be able to throw our name in the hat for years to come.”

Harlan County 62, Corbin 48
Harlan Co – 8 11 14 29 – 62
Corbin – 8 7 16 17 – 48
HC – Cameron Carmical 11, Drew Nolan 9, Treyce Spurlock 15, Tyrese Simmons 12, Lamar Burkhart 2, David Turner 13
CHS – Andrew Taylor 31, Cameron Maguet 6, Camron Sizemore 2, Zach Maguet 3, Tanner Barnes 2, Sam Taylor 4