Redhounds eliminate Bell Co. in first round of boys’ region tournament

After first round action in the girls’ 2024 13^th Region tournament on Monday and Tuesday, it was the boys’ turn to take center stage in the Corbin Arena Wednesday night.

In game one Wednesday, the Knox Central Panthers (22-9) knocked off the defending region champion North Laurel Jaguars, 72-65. As for who the Panthers will play in the tournament semifinals, that would be the Corbin Redhounds, who are now 22-8 on the season after successfully dispatching the Bell County Bobcats, 60-43.

The Hounds started the night off strong, building up a 15-6 lead after one quarter. Bell battled back in the second quarter, though, tying the game up at 19-19 with 2:10 left before halftime. A three-point basket just before the half gave the Bobcats a one-point advantage heading into the locker room, 22-21.

Corbin Head Coach Tony Pietrowski and his staff made the necessary adjustments at the half, and despite a tight contest for much of the third quarter, the Hounds managed to take a ten-point lead, 40-30. They kept their foot on the gas throughout the fourth quarter, eventually securing a 60-43 victory to advance them in this year’s region tournament.

Tipoff for the Corbin versus Knox Central semifinal encounter is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. this Saturday, March 9, at the Arena. The Panthers and the Hounds did not meet during the regular season, but this matchup will be between two local district champions, with Corbin coming in as champions of the 50^th and Knox coming in as the champions of the 51^st.

The News Journal will continue to provide updates on the 2024 13^th Region championship tournaments as the week progresses right here on thenewsjournal.net.

Corbin – 15  6  19  20  –  60

Bell Co. – 6  16  8  13  –  43

Individual scoring for Corbin: Trey Worley 6, Zander Curry 10, Carter Stewart 21, Zach Reynolds 2, Lucas Brittain 5, Ryder Akins 6, Eli Pietrowski 10