With North Laurel in 2022 and 2023 and Harlan County in 2024, I’m three for the last three in picking the 13th Region winner a year ahead of time. Last season was one of my best prognostication performances as I had HCHS and Corbin in the finals with the Bears winning, just as it played out. Seven of my top eight teams made it to The Corbin Arena for the 13th Region Tournament. Whitley was the only top eight team to miss the field, but the Colonels are locked in the same district as Corbin and South Laurel and lost to the Cardinals in the semifinals. Knox Central was picked 11th and finished in the final four, but those were predictions were written well before center Gavin Chadwell found his way back to Knox.
It’s time for my annual look back at the best of the season that just ended and a look ahead to what you can expect next year.

All-Region Team
First team
G — Maddox Huff, Harlan County
G — Trent Noah, Harlan County
G — Kyler McLendon, Harlan
F — Jordan Mabe, South Laurel
C — Gavin Chadwell, Knox Central

Second team
G — Sawyer Thompson, Pineville
G — Zander Curry, Corbin
G — Blake Burnett, Bell County
F — Eli Pietrowski, Corbin
F — Elijah Bundy, Clay County

Third team
G — Brody Brock, North Laurel
G — Colton Rawlings, South Laurel
G — Ashton Moser, Pineville
F — Hayden Harris, Clay County
C— Trey King, Middlesboro

Fourth team
G — Danny Ellis, Whitley County
G — Evan Ellis, Whitley County
G — Canaan Tyree, OBI
G — Cameron Hall, Bell County
F —Reece Davidson, North Laurel

Best juniors
Maddox Huff, Harlan County
Jordan Mabe, South Laurel
Colton Rawlings, South Laurel
Sawyer Thompson, Pineville
Ashton Moser, Pineville

Best sophomores
Blake Burnett, Bell County
Eli Pietrowski, Corbin
Reece Davidson, North Laurel
Reggie Cottrell, Harlan County
Henry Bowling, Williamsburg

Best freshmen
Evan Ellis, Whitley County
Ethan Buell, Bell County
Trent Cole, Harlan
Adon Grubb, Clay County
Jordan Steele, South Laurel (tie)
Joe Smith, North Laurel (tie)
Cooper Elza, North Laurel (tie)‘

2024-2025 rankings (players listed by grade for next season)

1, South Laurel (19-11) — Picking the second best team in the region for 2025 is challenging, but it’s not so hard to pick the top team at this point. South brings back four starters and several key reserves from a squad that pushed eventual state runner up Harlan County to the wire in the first round of the regional tourney. Jordan Mabe (16.3 points per game last year, 4.9 rebounds per game), a 6-7 senior forward, will likely be ranked among the state’s top players next year. Senior guard Colton Rawlings (14.2, 3.7) enjoyed a breakout first season with the Cardinals. Senior guard Joshua Steele (9.4, 5.2) and sophomore guard Jordan Steele (5.8, 3.8) also return, along with 6-4 senior forward Max Fuller (2.9, 2.0) and junior guards Blaine Baker (2.1, 2.2), Landon Howard (5.1) and Garrison Brown (2.3)

2. Clay County (24-9) — One of the region’s most improved teams a year ago, the Tigers returned to the top of the 49th District in 2024 and could push for a regional title next year if they can adjust to the loss of forwards Hayden Harris and Elijah Bundy. Clay will feature an all-senior backcourt of Jerrod Roark (10.8, 27), Ethan Jackson (8.3, 3.6) and Grayson Hooker (3.6), with standout sophomore Adon Grubb (6.7, 5.3) back at forward and 6-1 junior Aiden Wagers (5.7, 3.9) at center.

3. Bell County (25-8) — Ranked second in the region much of last season in the RPI system, the Bobcats enjoyed a big season despite a roster with no seniors. Junior guard Blake Burnett (16.6, 5.8) is the among the region’s elite players and returns along with senior guard Cameron Hall (16.8, 3.1), 6-5 sophomore forward Ethan Buell (14.5, 8.9), junior forward Cayden Huff (5.5, 5.1) and sophomore guard Jaxon Thomas (8.8). Eighth grade guard Braxton Ferguson (2.2) was the Bobcats’ top sub for much of the season.

4. Harlan County (34-5) — After five seasons and well over 3,000 points, Trent Noah is moving on to South Carolina, and the Bears will have some adjustments to make. Senior point guard Maddox Huff (17.7, 4.8) will take over as the Bears’ leader as a four-year starter who should be ranked among the state’s top players. Junior guard Reggie Cottrell (8.5, 3.5) was one of the region’s breakout players last season and caught the attention of basketball observers around the state in the Bears’ postseason run. Jaycee Carter (8.1, 5.1), a 6-4 senior, returns for his third season at center, while senior Brody Napier (3.2) moves up from his sixth man role. There should be quite a battle for the other rotation spots with junior guard Brennan Blevins the most experienced player returning. Several freshmen could also see action.

5. North Laurel (17-18) — The graduation of Reed Sheppard and Ryan Davidson was a big blow for the Jaguars, maybe even bigger than expected. North loses two starters this spring but brings back some talent, led by 6-7 junior forward Reece Davidson (14.8, 5.3), junior guard Jordan Rawlings (10.2, 3.2) and senior guard Kole Jervis (10.8). Sophomores Joe Smith (7.0, 4.2) and Cooper Elza (5.6, 4.1) should play bigger roles, along with sophomore R,J. Noble (3.2).

6. Corbin (23-9) — With four key players graduating, the Redhounds may take a step back but remain dangerous with 6-4 junior Eli Pietrowski (11.,8, 6.8) and freshman guard Ryder Akins (8.9, 3.5) as returning starters. Senior forward Zach Reynolds (2.1), senior guard Connor Blackburn (5.0) and junior guard Lucas Brittain (3,1) played key reserve roles last season and will likely move into the lineup.

7. Knox Central (22-10) —Four-year starter Gavin Chadwell and forward Braydon Mills graduate, but the Panthers showed off their young talent in an impressive postseason run and could be a contender with freshman standouts Grayson Burton (14.9, 4.9), Hayden Melton (2.5, 4.5) and Even Hubbard (3.8, 2.5) playing bigger roles. Senior guard Austin Bargo (10.4, 3.1) is also a returning starter who could provide leadership. Junior forward Trevor Jordan (4.6, 2.9) and 6-2 sophomore center Nathan Dunn (4.1, 4.4) also saw extensive action last year

8. Pineville (20-11) — With two of the region’s top scorers in Sawyer Thompson (23.8, 8.3) and Ashton Moser (20.4, 7.3) returning for their senior seasons, the Lions should challenge for the All “A” and 51st District titles, but will have to overcome the inconsistency they showed in big games in 2024. Zander Garrison (4.0, 4.8), a 6-6 senior, returns at forward, with senior guard Kaiden Robbins 4.6, 3.0) also likely to win a full-time starting job. Freshman Preston Zachery and eighth graders Noah Slone and Anderson Gentry are among the candidates to round out the lineup.

9. Whitley County — With four seniors and the homecourt advantage in the postseason, the Colonels may have missed their best shot at breaking the South Laurel/Corbin stranglehold on the 50th District in March. Sophomore guard Evan Ellis (15.6) was one of the region’s best young players and will return along with freshman Bryson Mahan (9.0, 2.3), scrappy junior guard Shane Parker (3.0) and senior wing Aaron Rowe.

10. Williamsburg (17-14) — Coming off a surprising run to last year’s All “A” Classic title, the Jackets look for an even bigger season next year with junior guard Henry Bowling (15.6, 3.4) and seniors Andrew Smith (16.6, 8.5), Conner Saylor (6.5, 2.2) and Cooper Prewitt (7.1, 4.8) returning. Sophomore Chase Meddles and freshmen Dalton Henderson (2.3, 3.6) and Lakin Cunnagin (3.4) should play bigger roles.

Best of the rest:
Oneida Baptist (17-15) — Freshmen guards Jacob Rogers (14.1, 3.2) and Skyler Roberts (10.0, 3.3) played key roles for the improved Mountaineers and return to the starting lineup, along with 6-2 senior forward Jason Erhunmwunse (6.8, 10.8). Tommy Branstutter (4.4, 6.1), a 6-2 sophomore center, is another probable starter. Senior Chandler Gregory and freshman Ryder Salmons are also in the chase for starting spots.

Jackson County (12-17) — With three starters returning, the Generals could be in position to challenge for both the 49th District and regional All “A” titles coming off a disappointing season. Senior guard Tydus Summers (12.2, 2.8) is back, along with 6-7 senior center Keagan Ward (14.4, 9.1) and 6-4 freshman forward Corey Cunagin (6.2, 3.8). Senior guard Landon Dezarn. (11.0, 2.3) joined the team late in the year after a transfer from Clay County. Junior guard Ashton Clemons (5.7, 2.6) and 6-1 senior forward Peyton Singleton (4.4, 3.2) will also compete for a starting job.

Harlan (6-21) — After heavy graduation losses, the Dragons fell on hard times despite over 30 points a game from guard Kyler McLendon. Sophomore guard Trent Cole (13.0, 2.8) enters his third year as a starter and leads a backcourt that also features senior Nate Montanaro (5.1, 5.0) and junior Dylan Cox (5.3, 2.6). Senior forwards Darius Akal and Jared Moore (3.0) and 6-4 senior center Hunter Clem (2.3, 3.6) all saw action in last year’s starting lineup. Freshman guards Jaxson Perry (4.8) and Izack Saylor (3.6) were impressive in limited action late last season.

Middlesboro (10-20) — Even with a senior-dominated lineup, the Jackets couldn’t break a string of 20-loss seasons. Middlesboro will rebuild this year around senior guard Jerimah Beck (13.3, 6.8). Junior guard Joseph Killion (5.2) and senior wing Jack Smith should play bigger roles.

Barbourvile (7-24) — With four starters from a year graduating and another missing the season due to an injury, the Tigers struggled through their worst season in a decade or longer. Four senior starters return next year, including Riley Corey (8.5, 2.7), Jasper Hubbs (9.7, 6.2), Dalton Alsip (7.5) and Jaxon Collins (4.6, 3.1). Eathan Fisher (11.3, 5.9), a 6-4 junior, also returns. Jared King (2.2), a 6-2 senior, should also play a key role.

Lynn Camp (8-20) — The Wildcats threw quite a scare into Pineville in the district tournament and improved quite a bit during the season, but second-year coach Tyler Wagner will have to rebuild against with eight seniors, including four starters, graduating. Junior guard Caleb Woods (7.5, 2.8) is the only starter coming back. Senior forward Caleb Wilborn (2,1) and junior guard Connor Kerby are the only others coming back with extensive varsity experience.

Red Bird (5-17) — The Cardinals have been at the bottom of the region for several years and will likely stay there with their two top scores graduating. Junior guards Landon Belcher (2.2) and Trever Osborne (2.2) return, along with 6-2 sophomore center Ashton Lewis (6.4, 8.3), Junior forward Daughson Whitehead (5.4, 4.0) and senior guard Isaac Brock should also play key roles.