13th Region: Players & Teams to Watch

With everyone in the state doing overall team and player rankings I thought it would be a good idea to break down a region. The 13th region champion North Laurel turned in a impressive run at the state tournament last season, fell short in the final four to runner up Southwestern Pulaski of the 12th region.  Let’s breakdown the 13th region top players and top teams Players: 1.) <strong>Ally Collett</strong>- South Laurel (Early favorite for miss Kentucky basketball it’s no question who sets at the top of the region) 2.) <strong>Amerah Steele</strong>- South Laurel (When she gets hot maybe the best scorer in the state) 3.) <strong>Syd Hall</strong>- South Laurel (Without question one of the best marksman from three point range) 4.) <strong>Rachel Presley</strong>- South Laurel (Even though we will not see her until the end of February due to being ruled ineligible by the KHSAA after playing volleyball at South Laurel,  Presley still is the region best post player and will causes havoc defensively) 5.) <strong>Gracie Jervis</strong>- North Laurel (Season vet who continues to be the engine for her team) 6.) <strong>Kaylee Mathis</strong>- Clay County (Great scorer who looks to guide her team to the region tournament) 7.) <strong>Lillie Hall</strong>- Williamsburg (Looks to lead her team to a All A region Championship) 8.) <strong>Whitney Caldwell</strong>- Pineville (Hands down best guard in her district and looks to guide her team to the region tournament) 9.) <strong>Abby Harris</strong>- Bell County (Great two way player, deadeye from three but can also beat you off the dribble) 10.) <strong>Taya Davis</strong>- Jackson County (Leading score from last season looks to guide her team to the region tournament) Teams: 1.) <strong>South Laurel:</strong> South Laurel coming in at preseason number 2 in the state with a Miss Kentucky basketball candidate (Ally Collett), 4 out of the top 5 players in their region and a successful two time state champion as their head coach  has the formula for ending their season in Rupp Arena, can this team win it all? 2.) <strong>Whitley County:</strong> Although they have no players currently in the top 10 I envision that changing after this season. Some of the best young talent in the region with a new head coach Sean Pigman makes for a dangerous combination! 3.) <strong>North Laurel:</strong> Coming off their best season under Coach Eddie Mahan. The jags will be in the hunt for a title but will have big shoes to fill with senior Raegan Hubbard no longer in the middle. Will the Jags adjust their play of style to fit their run-n-gun personnel? 4.) <strong>Clay County:</strong> Not making it to the region tournament last season was a huge disappointment but the Tigers are poised to make a run at their district this year.  Can Mathis lead her team to a 49th district Championship? 5.) <strong>Williamsburg:</strong> Favorite to win the All “A” tournament this season and could very well make a deep run in the region tournament as well! Lillie Hall looks to 6.) <strong>Jackson County:</strong> One is the youngest teams in the region looks to make it to the region tournament this season. 7.) <strong>Pineville:</strong> Front runners for the 51st district and one of the teams in the hunt for the class “A” tournament. 8.) <strong>Bell County:</strong> Coach Teague will have his team ready come tournament time. 9.) <strong>Harlan County:</strong> Coach Debbie Green will have a young squad this season but their defense will keep close to the top. 10.) <strong>Knox Central:</strong> Maybe top 5 team as far as talent but it just hasn’t ever come together, will this be the year the Panthers get it together?