REGION TEAMS SET

The 13th Region Tournament is almost set. Lynn Camp will battle the Knox Central Panthers tonight in Barbourville for the final spot. The Wildcats pulled off what had to be an upset the first time the two teams met. I have to think Knox Central will be ready for the Wildcats this time around. The element of surprise is gone and the Panthers should know what is at stake.

With that side on the boys’ side of the ledger, I don’t see any surprises. Clay County and North Laurel will represent the 49th District, Corbin and South Laurel will come out of the 50th, Barbourville has won a spot in the regional with Knox Central winning tonight. Bell County and Harlan County will represent the 52nd.

The question that will be answered Friday night, who will be the champions and who will be the runner-ups. I’m picking Clay County, Corbin, Knox Central and Bell County. The runner-ups, North Laurel, South Laurel, Barbourville and Harlan County. That’s eight pretty good teams. Seven of those teams have a real chance to get hot and win the 13th region. I like Corbin’s chance to repeat, but there is nothing certain in tournament play. But, if you have noticed the 13th region has come down to a 50th district team going to Rupp Arena every year since South Laurel and North Laurel joined the region.

This year’s tournament promises to be one of the most exciting ever. The tournament atmosphere should be second to none with it being held at The Arena.

I will let you know the pairings as early as Sunday morning when the teams announce the draw.

The girls region is almost set as well with only North Laurel-Red Bird to be played tonight at Jackson County. You have to figure North Laurel in the game.

There were two mild upsets in the district tournament action. Lynn Camp beat Knox Central, 47-43 in the 51st while Whitley County sidelined Corbin, 44-43 in the 50th district. Clay County seems to be ready to repeat as the 13th Region champion with a 75-10 win over OBI.

South Laurel is in after beating Williamsburg, 60-42 and Pineville beat Barbourville, 57-47. Bell County took out Middlesboro, 65-58 and Harlan County easily defeated Harlan, 46-31.

That gives us, Clay County, North Laurel, Whitley County, South Laurel, Pineville, Lynn Camp, Bell County, Harlan County. My picks for the district champions will be Clay County, South Laurel, Pineville, Bell County. The draw will be held Saturday morning so look here for the results after the pairings.