TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

Sports Editorials

February 26, 2010

Les Dixon's Daily District Pick 'em

I just keep rolling along.

My record now stands at 13-9, which isn’t too bad considering my 4-4 start during the first round games.

Now the games I’m picking today are going to be a little bit harder, but as long as I can at least finish close to 70 percent, I wouldn’t feel too bad.

Today’s games are all district title games, so with that said, let’s see who will be crowned district champions.

• 49th District Tournament at Jackson County High School

Boys

Clay County 73, North Laurel 59

Clay County is on a roll, and to be honest, I believe they have enough talent to make a serious run at the 13th Region championship. North Laurel is a scary team, though. The Jaguars are really playing good basketball, too, but I just don’t see them unseating the Tigers as district champions. The two teams met earlier in Manchester with Clay County pulling out an overtime win. Look for the game to be close, but in the end, the Tigers will win by double digits.

• 50th District Tournament at Corbin High School

Boys

Corbin 71, South Laurel 57

These two teams have met each other 18 times since South Laurel moved into the 50th District during the 2005-06 season. The Cardinals own an overall 11-7 record during those meetings and 3-1 marks in both 50th District and 13th Region Tournaments.

But with that said, the Redhounds are 6-1 during the two teams’ last seven games.

So how is this game going to unfold? I’m not sure.

Look for the South Laurel coaching staff to do something to try and slow down Corbin’s Isaac Wilson, but I’m not sure if they can — that’s why I see the Redhounds running away with their second straight 50th District championship.

• 51st District Tournament at Knox Central High School

Boys

Knox Central 69, Barbourville 61

Now this is a tough game to pick.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Barbourville win, but since this game will be played at Knox Central, I’m going with the Panthers. The key to the game will be the play of Johnathon Barger. He has given Knox Central an extra spark.

• 52nd District Tournament at Middlesboro High School

Boys

Bell County 64, Harlan County 60

The Bobcats are a dangerous team. I never would have thought they would make a run at the district tournament, but here they are. The Bobcats will be too much for the up-and-coming Harlan County Black Bears.

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Sports Editorials
  • Les Dixon Could this year’s Wildcats beat the 1996 version? I don’t believe so

    When it comes to high school basketball, it’s never too late to talk about next year. So if you’re a Williamsburg Lady Yellow Jacket fan, you’ve got to be happy with the All ‘A’ Classic 13th Region draw you received, but if you’re a Yellow Jacket fan, you might not be as happy.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • 1201 Fear 'Les' Basketball Rankings logo.jpg Fear 'Les' 13th Region Basketball Rankings

    he Black Bears saw their season-best nine-game win streak come to an end after losing to 14th Region favorite Perry Central on the road, 52-42.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0124 John Henson.jpg Several young players have impacted the region this year

    Several freshmen have had big impacts on some of the region’s top teams this season.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • Les Dixon Friday turned out to be a very good day

    If you attended the North Laurel-South Laurel boys basketball match-up this past Friday at South Laurel High School, you got your money’s worth.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • Les Dixon The front-runners for the boys and girls Players of the Year are ...

    The past two weeks I’ve been bombarded by high school basketball fans on who will be the 2011 Times-Tribune Boys and Girls Prep Basketball Tri-County Players of the Year.
    Well we still have a few weeks to go before postseason play begins, but I suppose I can let the cat out of the bag and at least be nice enough to give the front-runners.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Les Dixon I remember 1982 state championship game just like it was yesterday

    It’s hard to believe it’s almost been 30 years since Chuck Broughton’s Laurel County Cardinals captured the 1982 Boys Sweet Sixteen state championship. I remember it like it was yesterday.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • 1201 Fear 'Les' Basketball Rankings logo.jpg Fear 'Les' 13th Region Basketball Rankings

    The Black Bears continue to win. Harlan County is now a perfect 10-0 against 13th Region teams and shouldn’t be tested again (region-wise) until its Feb. 10 battle against Jackson County and a Feb. 13 contest against Corbin.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0124 John Henson.jpg How the region is stacking up

    With Clay County and North Laurel drawing in opposite brackets of the 49th District Tournament, this year’s 13th Region Tournament at The Arena in Corbin could feature the most balanced field in at least 35 years.

    January 31, 2012 1 Photo

  • Les Dixon The postseason is almost here

    We’re two days away from February and that means we’re a month away before the 40th, 50th, 51st and 52nd District Tournament’s tip-off.

    January 30, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0124 John Henson.jpg 13th Region contenders

    With approximately a month left in the regular season, the contenders for 13th Region championships in both boys and girls basketball have started to separate themselves from the rest of the field.

    January 24, 2012 1 Photo