Just as predicted in this space a year ago, the North Laurel Jaguars and Bell County Bobcats spent the entire season as the 13th Region’s top two teams. Bell won a regular season matchup on Log Mountain, but North grabbed an early lead and held on for a win the 13th Region finals. It was the second straight regional title for the Jaguars and fourth in five years.
Those same two teams appear to be the early favorites in 2027, but with three coaching jobs still open around the region the situation could change before summer. At this point, it looks like Bell and North have the advantage with each team bringing back three starters and several key reserves. The next seven to 10 appear to be up for grabs at this point, depending on how teams and players progress during the summer and fall.
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
Blake Burnett, Bell County
Reggie Cottrell, Harlan County
Reece Davidson, North Laurel
Ethan Buell, Bell County
Aiden Wagers, Clay County
Second team
Cooper Elza, North Laurel
Trent Cole, Harlan County
Evan Ellis, Corbin
Braxton Ferguson, Bell County
Eli Pietrowski, Corbin
Third team
Bryson Mahan, Whitley County
Jordan Rawlings, North Laurel
Adon Grubb, Clay County
Riley Fuson, Whitley County
Kobe Noe, Harlan
Fourth team
Evan Taylor, Knox Central
Kaden Taylor, South Laurel
Kaiden McQueen, South Laurel
Corey Cunagin, North Laurel
Hayden Melton, Knox Central
Best juniors
Ethan Buell, Bell County
Evan Ellis, Corbin
Trent Cole, Harlan County
Cooper Elza, North Laurel
Adon Grubb, Clay County
Best sophomores
Bryson Mahan, Whitley County
Riley Fuson, Whitley County
Corey Cunagin, North Laurel
Kobe Noe, Harlan
Hayden Melton, Knox Central
Best freshmen
Braxton Ferguson, Bell County
Kobe Reed, Knox Central
Noah Slone, Pineville
Anderson Gentry, Pineville
Noah King, Barbourville (tie)
Carter Deaton, Barbourville (tie)
2026-2027 rankings (players listed by grade for next season)
1. Bell County (27-7) — Coming off one of the best seasons in the 40-year history of the school on Log Mountain, the Bobcats must replace guard Blake Burnett and forward Cayden Huff but return a solid core led by senior forward Ethan Buell (16.5, 5.6), senior guard Jaxon Thomas (8.3) and standout sophomore Braxton Ferguson (13.2, 3.9). Junior guard Kaleb Cornett (2.3) and 6-6 senior Gavin Barton (3.2, 3.0) also played big roles last season, along with junior guard Dalton Black. The Bobcats also had a talented group of underclassmen led by freshman guard Braylon Cloud, eighth grade guard Caden Winkler and 6-6 freshman center Bentley Buell (2.7)
2. North Laurel (29-8) — Losing all-stater Reece Davidson will take some adjustments, but the Jaguars remain in position for a third straight regional title with three starters coming back, led by steady senior point guard Cooper Elza (8.5, 3.4), along with junior forward Corey Cunagin (11.2, 5.1) and junior guard Kaiden Allen (9.1, 2.3) also return. Senior forward R.J. Noble (2.7) and senior guard Cam Anderson were key reserves. Senior guard Brayden Hampton also played in 30-plus games last season.
3. Whitley County (20-12) — One of the region’s most improved teams last season, the Colonels lose three starters but hope to stay near the top with a strong junior class returning led by Bryson Mahan (17.9, 5.0). Riley Fuson (12.5, 5.0) and Levi Jackson (10.6, 2.9). Senior forward Shemal Allen (3.0, 2.4) and junior guard Caleb Cureton could round out the lineup. Freshman Kayden Centers and seniors Logan Petrey and Landen Rose all played in 11 varsity games or more last season.
4, Clay County (20-10) — Three starters are back for the Tigers, but replacing center Aiden Wagers won’t be easy. Senior forward Adon Grubb (15.3, 9.6) is one of the region’s top players if he can shake the injuries that sidelined him late last year. Senior guard Brody Hooker (4.0) and junior guard Jacob Rogers (12.0, 2.3) are also returning starters. Senior guard Maxton Gray (5.8) was last year’s sixth man and moves into the lineup along with sophomore Skylr Sizemore (3.2). Junior guards Logan Dezarn (3,.2) and Ales Gray (2.7) could also play bigger roles, along with freshman Ryder Smith (2.4) and sophomore Tyler Centers (2.0).
5. Corbin (16-14) — After a quarter century in charge of the program, former Corbin all-stater Tony Pietrowski moved over to the girls program. The new coach will inherit a squad led by one of the region’s top players in senior guard Evan Ellis (15.6, 4.2). Senior guards Trey Person (10.8, 5.5)) and Clay Akins (2.6) also return. Junior forwards Dalton Henderson (2,8, 2.4) and Keaton Smith (2.8) are also in the mix.
6. Knox Central (16-11) — Three-time region champion coach Tony Patterson returned to the Panthers last year and, like many teams in the region, went through plenty of ups and downs. Returning starters include junior guards Evan Hubbard (13.8, 4.8) and Trevor Smith (7.7, 3.7), sophomore guard Spencer Prichard (7.5) and 6-4 junior forward Hayden Melton (12.3, 9.9). Sophomore forward Kobe Reed (2.5) and junior guard Andre Simmons are among the candidates to round out the lineup.
7. Harlan (12-19) — With a sophomore-dominated lineup last season, the Dragons were one of the region’s most improved teams as they rolled through the regional All “A” Classic then knocked off Harlan County in the first round of the 52nd District Tournament. Four starters are back led by junior forward Kobe Noe (13.9, 6.6) and junior guards Izack Saylor (10.7, 4.4), Jaxson Perry (7.3, 3.3) and Ethan Huff (5.7). Senior forward Legend Mimes (9.1, 8.3)) may have been the region’s most explosive player off the bench a a year ago and should move into the lineup this season to provide a potent 1-2 post tandem with Noe. Junior forwards Braxton Rowe (2.6) and Eli Noe will also see significant action.
8. South Laurel (14-15) — Coach Jeff Davis stepped down after a successful 15-year run and four starters graduated, but the Cardinals can never be counted out. Junior guard Kaden Taylor (12.4) is the only starter back, but 6-6 senior forward Joe Smith could be one of the region’s best players if he avoids the injuries that kept him sidelined much of last year. Junior guards Isaiah Robinson (4.8) and Brayden Cassidy (6.4, 2.3) and senior guard Brayden Laymon (2.4) should also play big roles.
9. Harlan County (19-11) — Only two years removed from a state runner-up finish, the Bears suffered through an inconsistent season that included some impressive wins and some ugly losses, including a first-round exit in the 52nd District Tournament. Led by senior guard Trenton Cole (17.9, 3.7), the Bears still have the potential to be a top five team with improvements at the other positions. Juniors Brady Smith (6.5, 3.0) and Kaden Jones (4.6) return in the backcourt, along with senior Landon Brock (4.7, 2.3), last year’s sixth man. The Bears have several options in the front court, including Tucker Curtis (3.0, 2.7), Tyhler Coots and Rydge Lewis. Junior guard Hayden Grace and freshmen guards Trey Creech and Easton Engle could also help.
10. Pineville (14-17) — After suffering massive graduation losses from a regional semifinalist squad in 2025, the Mountain Lions struggled with inconsistency through much of the regular season before putting everything together at the perfect time with upset wins over Barbourville and Knox Central to repeat as 51st District champions. Everyone returns for the Lions led by junior guard Preston Zachery (11.8) and sophomores Noah Slone (12.1, 3.0) and Anderson Gentry (11.7, 2.6) in one of the region’s top young backcourts. The Lions also have size with 6-4 senior Brady Hatmaker (7.7, 5.8) 6-5 junior Jacob Grubbs (8.6, 7.7) and 6-8 junior Kenton Brock (6.8, 2.9) alternating in the post.
Best of the rest:
11. Barbourville (12-14) — The Tigers had a season of ups and downs after losing their top player, forward Eathan Fisher, to an ALC injury in the preseason. Four starters return in 2027, led by senior guard Chase Wilder (8.2, 2.7) and senior forward Trace Wood (7.0, 3.2). Sophomore forwards Noah King (7.9, 4.5) and Carter Deaton (6.8, 4.8) also return. Senior guard Ian Ross (3.0) could round out the lineup. Sophomores Landon Gross, Noah Gross and Vernon Cole will also likely see action.
12. Jackson County (21-10) — After leading the Generals to a 10-game improvement in his first and only season as leader of the Generals, Parker Stewart moves on to the Montgomery County job. Senior guard Brennon Combs (11.5, 3.5) and junior guards Tansen Truett (9.1, 4.4) and Braxton Coyle (3.8) are back for the Generals, who could be in the mix behind Harlan as one one of the All “A” contenders. Junior forward Wyatt Gay (9.7, 3.9), at 6-4, could take over a spot in the post.
13. Oneida Baptist (12-15 ) — The Mountaineers fell in the final seconds to Middlesboro in last year’s All “A” Classic semifinals and could make a deeper run this year with 6-7 senior forward Tommy Bransutter (15.7, 12.1) and junior guard Skyler Roberts (16.4, 2.9) returning, along with sophomore guard Aden Gregory (10.8, 2.3). Senior forward Cedar Tive (2.6, 2.4) and junior forwards Ryder Salmons and Mason Lockhart should play bigger roles.
14. Middlesboro (12-17) — The Jackets and second-year coach Eddie Gilbert will have to replace six of their top nine players from a squad that started strong a year ago but fell short of ending a string of losing seasons. Senior guard Bryson Brooks (13.5, 4.1) was the Jackets’ second leading scorer last season and returns along with junior guard Jacob Tinnell (5.5, 2.2). There are several candidates to round out the lineup, including junior Ayden Allen and sophomores Caden Lawson, Parker Hampton, John Hayes and Emmitt Butler (3.0).
15. Lynn Camp (8-22) — With six of their top eight players returning, the Wildcats appear to be in position for improvement. Seniors returning include guards Eisen Mayo (6.7, .2.4) and Elijah Mayo (3.1) and 6-2 forward Landen Rose (17.2, 6.2). Sophomore guard Cason Mills (3.0) and junior forward Kayden Powers (2.5, 3.2) could round out the lineup.
16. Williamsburg (1-27) — The Jackets struggled mightily after being wiped out by graduation and have a slow road ahead of them in rebuilding. Junior guard Reece Hatcher (15.2, 3.6) and junior guards Lane Jeffries (11.8, .2.3) and T,.J. Cornett (5.6, 3.9) returning starters. Junior guard Andy Shelton (5.2, 3.3) and senior guard Mason Rountree (3.2) should also play key roles.
17. Red Bird (6-16) — The Cardinals posted their most wins in six years this season and could continue to build iwith senior guard Collin Xavier Roark (19.5, 2.8) and 6-2 junior center Ashton Lewis (10.7, 8.5) back, along with senior
