CORBIN — Round three between the South Laurel Cardinals and Knox Central Panthers begins today.
Many believe South Laurel (17-12, 12-4) received a good draw, but the Cardinals will have the task of trying to knock off Knox Central (14-12, 9-8) for the third time this season during the 6:30 p.m. contest.
South Laurel won at home during the two team’s first meeting, 91-57, and came away with another win on Jan. 19, 65-54.
Even with the favorable draw, Wright knows you can’t overlook any team.
“You just see who you play and go prepare,” he said. “You’re not here unless you can really play. I don’t look at wins and losses, just potential. They’re a tough team and they are well-coached. They are no freebies this time of year.
“I’m happy with where our team is,” he added. “We are executing the game plan better and really improving in a lot of areas. We’re a little healthier now. We lost a lot of games that we shouldn’t have, healthy or not healthy. But that’s a blessing in disguise.”
Even though the Cardinals sport their worst record they’ve had since 2002, Wright believes his team can make some noise.
“I’m confident in our team’s chances. I’m not stupid though,” he said. “I’m not overconfident. I’m just confident we will come out and play hard. This is what you look forward to.”
Knox Central coach Brian Evans also believes his team has a solid chance to make a run, too.
“I think if we can defend and rebound, we have a great shot to win this,” he said. “I’ve always said that. The draw is what it is. South Laurel has beaten us twice, so it’s going to be a real challenge for us. I think this tournament is wide open. Corbin and Clay have to be the favorites, but some other teams have a chance, too.”
Today’s game will feature two of the top players in the 13th Region in South Laurel’s Matt St. John and Knox Central’s Cody Miller.
Wright said the key for his team is to play solid on the defensive side.
“We’ve got to play team defense,” he said. “Cody Miller is a very good player and there really isn’t anything he can’t do.
“He’s also got a good group of teammates that can play, too,” Wright added. “There is no way we’re going to overlook Knox Central. Many believed they were one of the top teams in the region when the season began and I still believe they are.”
The bad news for the Cardinals is the fact Knox Central is playing its best basketball at the present time.
The return of Johnathon Barger has given the Panthers a spark they desperately needed.
“We didn’t have Johnathon or Tobi (Merida) the last time we played, so we’re hoping they make a difference this time around,” Evans said.
Local Sports
Wright expects tough game
- Local Sports
-
-
Cards stand ground
It took a team effort, but South Laurel was able to make the big play late to defeat Harlan County, 5-4, and advance to the semifinals of the 13th Region Baseball Tournament.
-
Moving on
It wasn’t easy, but North Laurel managed to sneak by Corbin, 2-1, during the first round of the 13th Region Baseball Tournament Monday.
-
Lady Cards slip past Clay County
James Burns’ South Laurel Lady Cardinals continued a recurring theme in the first round of the 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament — scoring runs with two outs and nobody on.
-
Bell eliminates Knox Central
Bell County built a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning against Knox Central in first round action of the 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament Monday, but still needed a leaping catch by centerfielder Alisha Russell to seal the deal on the Lady Bobcats’ win over the Lady Panthers.
-
Errors lead to Barbourville’s 15-0 loss to Harlan County
A crucial error in the second inning led to five unearned runs for Harlan County, as the Lady Black Bears cruised to an easy 15-0 win over Barbourville in four innings Monday during first round action of the 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament.
-
Knox Central puts up fight before losing to Middlesboro, 6-2
Middlesboro’s Nick Capps took care of business and managed to hold off Knox Central, 6-2, to advance to the second round of the 13th Region Baseball Tournament Monday.
-
North runs win streak to 19 games
The North Laurel Lady Jaguars were clicking on all cylinders Monday during first round action of the 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament as they defeated Corbin in five innings, 12-0.
-
Tigers drop 10-2 decision
Clay County was forced to put the ball on the ground, but once they did they were able to get going as they defeated Barbourville, 10-2, during the first round of the 13th Region Tournament Monday.
-
Who really are the favorites this year?
Corbin and North Laurel High Schools’ first round match-ups in both the 13th Region Baseball Tournament and 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament will highlight Monday’s first round action.
-
Fantastic Finish
Brandon Hillard’s Knox Central Panthers almost pulled off a shocker before falling to rival Barbourville, 7-6, in the finals of the 51st District title game Thursday.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
