LOOKING BACK

 The Redhounds lost to a very talented team out of the 12^th region last week. Pulaski County is rated as one of the top teams in the state (currently 15^th) and they caught the Redhounds coming off winning the Cumberland Falls Invitational. The Redhounds came out flat and looked a little fatigued.

Friday evening they seemed a little more like themselves as they bounced back by winning over Williamsburg on the road. Williamsburg was a district opponent and gives Coach Tony Pietrowski’s team a record of two wins and no losses in their drive to secure a number one seed in the 50^th district.

The next three games on Coach Pietrowski’s schedule will be played at Gilliam Gym. Middlesboro was scheduled Tuesday followed by another district encounter with Whitley County, Friday. North Laurel will play the ‘Hounds Tuesday night.

The 13^th Region appears to be a wide-open affair. Harlan County is probably the pick of most people with their logic being the region will be played on the Black Bears home court and the fact that Coach Mike Jones has the same starting five for what will be a third straight year.

I feel like Clay County, Jackson County, Corbin, Bell County, North Laurel and South Laurel are all capable of beating Harlan County on a given night.

I, of course, will stick by the Redhounds primarily because Coach Pietrowski had the experience of having his kids prepared and he knows how to get the best out of them.

Coach Calipari has added yet another five-star recruit. Dakari Johnson stands 6’11” and weighs 250 pounds and is the highest rated center in the country and 12^th best player overall. I expect Coach Cal had his eyes set on Andrew Wiggins, the number one recruit, if he could land him.

The conference season will swing into play for the Wildcats. I continue to look for the improvement that Coach Cal speaks of, but to this point in time I don’t see much. I do not feel that this year’s group of freshmen does not match up to Coach Cal’s first three years of talent. If they do not get a little better effort from Alex Poythress, they will have to remove him from the lineup. Archie Goodin on the other hand could be very effective if he lets the game come to him.

Ryan Harrow has stepped it up and shows that he can provide some leadership at the point guard. I really feel good about Kyle Wiltjer. If Wiltjer gets an open look he can knock down three-pointers at will. I also think Wiltjer’s all-around game is beginning to come around.

Noel plays with as much effort as anyone. Noel’s problem might be that his hands are not as strong as he would like. Willie Cauley-Stein will be an all-time favorite of the “Big Blue” nation.

I cannot believe the Kansas Jay Hawks let Stein leave the state. Julis May helped the ‘Cats in spots. Jarod Polston does not hurt the team, but at the same time he does very little to help.

The SEC looks very weak overall. I think Ole Miss will be very good. I believe Florida will be very good. Tennessee will be a dark horse, along with newcomers, Missouri and Texas A & M.