CORBIN — Well, the 13th Region Tournament is over and that means some relaxation for most media, but not for me.
I’ll be back in action covering high school basketball games at the 93rd Annual PNC Bank Sweet Sixteen next week.
With that said, it’s time for my end of the year basketball column, which will consist of the teams to beat for both the boys and girls next season and things of that nature and a review of how both the boys’ and girls’ 13th Region Tournaments went at The Arena.
• The selection committee that chose the 13th Region Tournament’s MVP hit the nail on the head. No one deserved the honor more than Corbin’s Isaac Wilson — who dished out 43 points against Bell County and finished with a tournament-best 63.
Wilson is one of the best student-athletes I’ve ever covered. If you’ve got a kid that is undersized and wants a role model, then go no further than Wilson. He has shown what a big heart and determination can take you.
• They were right on again when they tabbed Clay County’s Sabrina Smith as the girls’ tournament MVP. Smith has one of the best jump shots around and will continue to be one of the best players in the 13th Region in the near future.
• A lot of media I talked to thought this year’s version of the boys’ 13th Region Tournament lacked a lot of fundamentals.
Well, I went through all of the official stats that University of the Cumberlands supplied throughout both tournaments.
When it came to shooting from the floor on the boys’ side, teams averaged 46 percent and when it came to three-point shooting, try 36 percent. Both of those aren’t too bad at all, actually, but the free throw shooting, which should be at least around 70 to 75 percent was 60 percent.
Was it because of playing at The Arena for the first time for many of the teams? I’m not sure, but the games I covered this season, I saw a lot of teams that couldn’t hit their free throws.
• Congrats goes out to both South Laurel’s Jessica Dean and Corbin’s Isaac Wilson for being named as the 13th Region’s KABC Player of the Year.
Both choices were no-brainers and both players were very deserving of the awards.
• Well, I guess it’s time to give my view about both the boys’ and girls’ 13th Region Tournaments being hosted at The Arena. I was for the move from the first day the talk began about both tournaments being played there and I’m still for it.
But there are some things that need to be changed.
First off, you’ve got to find a way to get the students closer to the action. It is about the students. I realize the students had a couple of options for seating and the seats behind the goals were a great idea, but the students’ view is partially blocked because of the cheerleaders — but then again, it’s not the cheerleaders’ fault. Maybe put the students on each side of the basketball court, but that’s just my suggestion.
• I do like the way North Laurel High School treated the media. You can’t get any better view of the action from where we were sitting, and North Laurel athletic director Jimmy Durham helped us with any thing we needed.
• I thought the 14th Region officials did a fantastic job during both tournaments. They were very friendly and did a very good job in every one of the games that I covered.
• So with all of that said, it’s time for me to give you my thoughts for next season. I know, this season isn’t over yet, but there’s always time to see what’s ahead for next season.
On the boys’ side of things, look for the Clay County Tigers to be the preseason favorite with Bell County at No. 2 and Corbin at the three spot. Harlan County is my preseason pick for No. 4 and Knox Central rounds out the top five.
On the girls’ side, No. 1 has got to be Clay County, while North Laurel comes in at No. 2 and Harlan County at No. 3. Look for Bell County to grab the No. 4 spot and South Laurel to round out the top five.
• I also wanted to note that Clay County’s Codi Roberts finished the 13th Region Tournament with 22 points, while Adrian Wardrup had 52.
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Les Dixon
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It’s time to look ahead to next year’s top teams in the region
Les Dixon - The Way It Is
- Sports Editorials
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Fear 'Les' Diamond Ratings
North Laurel enters region tournament play as one of the hottest teams not only in the 13th Region, but the entire state. The No. 10 state-ranked Lady Jaguars are winners of 17 straight while allowing only four runs during their last 10 games.
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Interesting week ahead for local teams
Believe it or not, in just two days the postseason will begin for our baseball and softball teams in the Tri-County and with that said, it’s time for me to pull out my old trusty crystal ball and give my two cents worth on what to expect once postseason play begins.
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Fear 'Les' Diamond Ratings
The Lady Jaguars are winners of 14 straight, but if they hadn’t turned in a solid showing against McCreary Central, I was close to moving them to the No. 2 spot.
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Mitchell might be back on the sidelines sooner than later
It’s been two days since former Lynn Camp coach David Mitchell was informed he was fired and from what I’m hearing, it might not be long at all before Mitchell is back on the sideline coaching.
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So who will UK replace with Indiana and North Carolina?
I sure hate to see Kentucky drop Indiana and North Carolina from its schedule. I love to watch Kentucky play those two storied programs, and I really don’t know how you could replace them on the schedule.
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Kudos to Chris Hart
I would like to give out a Big Time Timmy Gem to Corbin softball coach Chris Hart for getting his 100th career win.
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Big Blue fantasy draft
After hearing a little debate about which team is better between the 1996 Wildcats and the 2012 Wildcats I decided to do a draft with my buddy and Times-Tribune assistant editor, Brad Hall.
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I’ve got lots to ramble about
It’s been more than a week since I last rambled about sports and with that said, I’m not going to waste anyone’s time, so let’s get to it.
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Fear 'Les' Diamond Ratings
The Lady Jaguars are hitting on all cylinders right now. North Laurel has positioned itself as the team to beat in the 13th Region after defeating cross-town rival South Laurel this past week, 2-0.
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Coaching kids isn’t easy, but it’s a lot of fun
Last weekend was one of the greatest sports moments of my life.I couldn’t be more proud of my 6th grade travel basketball team, Southeast Elite, for winning the Smoky Mountain Classic in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
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