Corbin downs Togers

Not since he was a player has Corbin coach Tony Pietrowski enjoyed a district title. And in what many felt was a shot at second place behind host, Barbourville, Pietrowski was able to climb the championship ladder Friday night and make the final cuts on the Barbourville High School nets and wave them to the cheering Redhound fans after his team escaped with a 55-53 win over the Tigers.
Senior Jordan Noble, who entered the Redhound 1000-point club just a few short weeks again may have said it best for classmates Andrew Parks and Brad Lawson, “I’ve never had a feeling like this. I’ve been waiting for this ever since I got into high school, playing for Corbin. This is just the happiest feeling I have ever had.”
Noble is excited about his team chances in this week’s 13th region. “We have played with every team in the region. If we have not beaten them it was a close game. We have a lot of confidence going into the region that we can make some noise and even make a run to Rupp.” Noble added.
“It was a big accomplisment for us,” said Pietrowski. “We talked to the team about some of the tradition of the 50th district and about some of the great players. We wanted it to be Corbin when this district finally came to an end.”
“The kids played really hard,” Pietrowski said. “Both teams battled really hard out there. We have matured over the course of the basketball season and we are really playing pretty well right now.”
In the first four minutes of the game, it looked like a Tiger-brawl as Barbourville scored 10 of the first 12 points in the game. A Chris Good basket gave the host team a 10-2 lead with 4:28 in the quarter, forcing the Redhounds to call a time-out.
Back to back baskets by Noble cut the lead to four (10-6) and gave the Redhounds some working room. After going back up by seven, the Redhounds went for the final shot of the quarter and Noble drained a three pointer, giving the Tigers a 14-10 lead at the end of one quarter.
Corbin carried the streak of points into the second quarter when Josh Crawford and Noble scored from close range. Crawford’s basket tied the game at 14-14. The game was close with Corbin holding a five-point lead (32-27) early in the third quarter when Ryan Swim hit a close range basket.
However, the Tigers battled back as 6-6 senior Chris Jackson went to war for coach Dinky Phipps’ team. Jackson pulled the Tigers within a point, 34-33 after completing a three point play at the 2:15 mark.
Noble answered but Matt Warren, a senior, hit a three pointer and the teams went to their respective benches tied at 36.
There were only three lead changes in the final period but the score was close all the way. The Tigers moved ahead (43-41) on a Jackson three pointer. Swim tied the game later in the period at 45-45. Ryan Tate got to a loose ball and hit Noble off a fast break to push ahead by two, 47-45.
With Barbourville trying to play catch up, the Redhounds hit six straight free throws as Parks, Noble and Crawford went to the line and extended the Redhounds lead to 53-47.
Jackson pulled his team to within four (53-49). A Corbin turnover handed the ball back over to the Tigers where Jackson was fouled on a play. He hit both free throws and the Tigers were within striking distance.
Another turnover by Corbin gave the ball back to Barbourville and Jackson went back to the line seconds later. He hit two free throws with :36 remaining and knotted the game at 53-53.
Parks hit the game winner with 3.1 on the clock and the celebration began.
Jackson led all scorers with 28 points while Noble tossed in 19 points.
•Corbin made it to the finals with a 67-26 rout of the Williamsburg Yellow Jackets.
Brad Lawson and Tyler Ayers traded punches with a basket each in the early going but it was all Corbin after those first two baskets.
Corbin went on a 12-0 run and led 14-2 at the end of the first quarter.
The score wasn’t too out of the ordinary until the Redhounds kept the defensive pressure on and outscored the Jackets, 13-11 and led 27-13 at the half.
It was a low scoring game for the Jackets and things didn’t get any better in the third period when Corbin outscored Williamsburg, 25-2 in the third period. The Redhounds led 52-15 at the end of three.
Things never got any better for the Yellow Jackets, who have not won the district title since 1998.
Noble led the Redhounds with 14 points while Crawford added 12 points. Tate added 11 points and Swim tossed in 10 points. Kevin Caddell led the Jackets with 10 points.

District Finals
Corbin 10 12 14 19- 55
Barbourville 14 7 15 17- 53
Corbin (55) – Tate 5, Noble 19, Swim 4, Parks 9, Lawson 8, Crawford 10.
Barbourville (53) – Jackson 28, Cox 6, Smith 2, Grubb 4, Good 8, Crawford 2, Warren 3.

District Semifinals
Williamsburg 2 11 2 10- 26
Corbin 14 13 25 25- 67
Williamsburg (26) – Caddell 10, J. McRay 3, Ayers 9, Jefferies 2, Hamblin 2.
Corbin (67) – Ware 2, Tate 11, Noble 14, Swim 10, Parks 8, Lawson 8, Crawford 12, Hamlin 2.