Taking a look at other districts in the region: Who will make it to the Arena?

This week’s sports special section is dedicated to taking an in-depth look at the upcoming 50th District tournaments featuring Corbin, Williamsburg, Whitley County and South Laurel. It also contains information on the 51st District tourneys featuring Barbourville, Lynn Camp, Pineville and Knox Central. But how are things looking in the 49th and 52nd districts? Let’s have a look…

Of course, most of the buzz surrounding the 49th District this year, at least on the boys’ side, has been centered on North Laurel’s Reed Sheppard, who was recently named a McDonald’s All-American and will be headed to the University of Kentucky next season.

The general consensus by most this season is that the boys’ 13th Region tournament will be North’s to either win or lose, thanks mostly to the fact that Sheppard will be leading the way for the Jaguars. They are sure to defeat the winners of the Red Bird versus Oneida Baptist play-in game next week, and will then host the district finals on Feb. 24 against either Clay County or Jackson County.

The Jags defeated their 49th District opponents during the regular season by a combined score of 647-316 across seven total games.

North Laurel will also be heavily favored in the girls’ 49th District tournament, also having handled Clay County, Jackson County and OBI with ease this season. Red Bird did not have a girls team in 2022-23.

This year’s 52nd District tournaments should be much more interesting, with Harlan and Harlan County’s boys teams both recording over 20 wins on the season. The Black Bears of Harlan County are a lock to defeat Middlesboro in the first round of tournament play, leading up to what will most likely be a third meeting with the neighboring Green Dragons of Harlan City in the tourney finals.

However, the Bell County Bobcats should by no means be counted out. Despite being bested by the Green Dragons twice in the regular season, they were only beaten by three points in their last encounter, 73-70, on Jan. 31. Coach Brad Sizemore’s Bobcats will be well prepared for round number three with Harlan next week, and could very well pull off the upset victory that will keep Haraln out of this year’s 13th Region tournament.

It will almost surely come down to Bell County and Harlan County in the girls’ 52nd District tournament, with Bell being the most likely to hoist the championship trophy when all is said and done. The outcome of that contest is not a foregone conclusion, though, as the Lady Black Bears have played competitively against the Lady Cats this season.

So, who should we expect to see in action at the Corbin Arena in a couple of weeks? My personal locks are as follows:

Boys teams

• Corbin

• Harlan County

• Barbourville

• Pineville

• North Laurel

Girls teams

• Corbin

• South Laurel

• North Laurel

• Jackson County

• Bell County

• Harlan County

• Knox Central

• Pineville

Games that I am currently on the fence about include the Whitley County versus South Laurel, Harlan versus Bell County, and Clay County versus Jackson County boys’ contests.

However it plays out, here’s to an exciting, safe, and overall enjoyable 2023 postseason!