Time for somewhere else to deal with curse of 13th Region

I know there is a reason why the schools in the area of Kentucky located in Jackson, Clay, Laurel, Whitley, Knox, Bell and Harlan counties make up the 13th Region.

As Tom Hanks’ character, Jim Lovell, famously, told his wife in the blockbuster movie, “Apollo 13” when she asked why his mission had to be 13, “It comes after 12.”

The Pulaski County schools along with McCreary Central are among the schools in the 12th Region. So, with the region numbers starting in western Kentucky, our schools get to be in unlucky 13.

Maybe the Kentucky High School Athletic Association should give our sports teams a break and let some other group of sports teams deal with the stigma of playing in the 13th Region for a while.

Corbin’s girls and North Laurel’s boys’ basketball teams were the latest to suffer, what I have begun to call, “the curse of the 13th region.”

Both were eliminated in the first round at the Sweet 16 Basketball Tournament.

On the boys’ side, you have to go back to 2018 to find a 13th Region team making it out of the first round.

Corbin advanced to the second round but was eliminated by Scott County that year.

South Laurel won the title in 2005, made it to the second round in 2006 and 2007 and reached the final four in 2016.

Other than that, the 13th Region boys’ teams have been one and done at Rupp Arena.

On the girls’ side, the curse is even worse.

South Laurel may have suffered the worst of it, defeating Sacred Heart in the last first round game to be played before the tournament was cancelled because of COVID–19 in 2020.

North Laurel made it to the second round in 2019 and Clay County advanced to the second round in 2010 and 2011.

The Jackson County Lady Generals had the best run among the girls’ teams in the last 20 years, reaching the state championship game in 2002 before losing to Sacred Heart, who, coincidently, plays in the Seventh Region.

South Laurel also reached the final four in 2005.

Some regions would be jumping for joy with a record like that in the state tournament.

With six basketball teams to follow during the season, I don’t pay much attention to the others in the region and sure don’t follow what is going on around the state.

But our local teams have had very limited success and I’m putting the blame squarely on playing in the Region 13.

Frankfort, we have a problem!

A few other quick things:

• With the baseball teams at home, it is a great time to get out and catch a game. Don’t forget the hot dog and cold drink from the concession stand to help support the programs.

• The Lady Hounds, Colonels and Jackets are hitting the softball field as well.

Whitley County will be home Friday

Corbin will be at home Monday.

Williamsburg will be at home Tuesday.