CORBIN HOLDS OFF CARDS

 The Corbin Redhounds took sole possession of first place in the 50th District standings with a 58-51 win over the South Laurel Cardinals Tuesday night.

Thanks to a Whitley County win over Williamsburg, 58-52, the Redhounds are 3-1 in district play with two games remaining on the schedule.

The Redhounds will play at Williamsburg Tuesday night then host the Whitley County Colonels, Friday, Feb. 3.

Corbin had to come from behind to beat the Cardinals and did it from the free throw line. The Redhounds hit 13-of-14 free throws in the final four minutes and 10 straight to end the game.

Senior Travis Smith was fired up for the Cardinals and led the Redhounds with 27 points in the winning effort.

A tight first quarter saw the Cardinals take the early lead in the game.

With the game tied at 3-3, Zack Baxter scored five straight points including a 3-pointer to give the visiting Cardinals an 8-3 lead.

But, Zack Farley and Kaleb Maguet netted back-to-back baskets as Corbin pulled within one,

The Redhounds (10-8) would go ahead 11-10 before Zack Jones nailed a 3-pointer for the Cardinals and South Laurel took a 13-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second frame saw the Cardinals take a 22-13 lead in the game when Jones hit a 3-pointer with 4:10 left in the quarter.

But, the Redhounds fought back behind the play of Smith to tie the game at the half, 24-24.

Smith scored five points in the 11-2 run while Trevor Hill hit a 3-pointer and Farley added four points to pace the Redhounds.

There were two ties and three lead changes in the third quarter. Trailing 30-29, Farley hit a jumper to put the Redhounds ahead, 31-30.

Corbin was able to take a 37-33 lead with :34 seconds left in the period on a 3-pointer by Hunter Grubb.

The Redhounds held on to the lead heading into the fourth quarter, 37-35.

South Laurel quickly tied the game to start the final frame on a basket by Matthew Slavey. Baxter then gave the Cardinals a 41-37 lead on a basket and a pair of free throws.

South Laurel’s lead grew to seven points when Slavey scored from close range.

But, Smith helped the Redhounds battle back with a 3-pointer to cut into the lead.

Baxter kept South Laurel in front with a pair of free throws.

Senior Kyle West got the Redhounds back within two (45-43) at the 5:05 mark, only to see Baxter hit another bucket to put the Cardinals back on top by four, 47-43.

That’s when Corbin took over as Smith hit a pair of free throws and Maguet tied the game with two freebies with 3:13 left on the clock.

A basket by Farley pushed the Redhounds ahead for good with just under three minutes left in the game.

A minute later it was Farley connecting on both ends of a one-on-one as Corbin took a 51-47 lead in the contest.

The Redhounds hit their free throws down the stretch to hold off the Cardinals and pick up their second win of the season over South Laurel.

Farley finished with 15 points for the Redhounds while Baxter led the Cardinals with 21 points.

The Redhounds will play two games this week with the Bell County Bobcats coming to town Thursday night for a 7:30 start.

Corbin will entertain the Pineville Mountain Lions Saturday.

Corbin 58, South Laurel 51

South Laurel   13  11  11  16- 51

Corbin       11  13  13  21- 58

   South Laurel (51) – Mitchell 4, Baxter 21, Grubb 3, Hale 8, Rader 3, Slavey 4, Jones 8.

   Corbin (58) – Smith 27, Farley 15, Maguet 4, West 4, Berezutchi 2, Hill 3, Grubb 3.