Published: April 24, 2008 09:57 am            

Fear 'Les' 13th Region Diamond Ratings

Girls Top 5



1. North Laurel Lady Jaguars (12-6)

What’s the scoop: Shane Weaver’s Lady Jaguars capped off an impressive week by picking up a 3-2 win over defending state champion Greenwood, while picking up a 9-0 win over rival South Laurel.

The scary part — it looks as if there is still room for improvement for the Lady Jaguars and that could spell trouble for everyone else in the 13th Region.



Surprise, surprise: Carrie Cobb continues to impress and provides a solid one-two punch with Abby Sears, which gives North Laurel the best pitching staff in the 13th Region.

The Lady Jaguars will be tested early and often the next two weeks with the 5-Star Classic coming up — including games with Ryle and Scott County.



2. Middlesboro Lady Yellow Jackets (9-2)

What’s the scoop: The Lady Yellow Jackets continue to win without getting a lot of press.

Middlesboro has outscored its opponents 58-1 during the Lady Yellow Jackets’ five past games.



Surprise, surprise: I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again — as long as Brooklynn Jimison is on the mound for the Lady yellow Jackets, they are a major threat in the region.



The best of the rest ...

3. (tie) Corbin Lady Redhounds (10-10)

What’s the scoop: Corbin picked up a signature win with its 13-2 thrashing of South Laurel. Now the Lady Redhounds need to continue the momentum and turn in a solid showing in next week’s Defender Classic.



3. (tie) South Laurel Lady Cardinals (17-4)

What’s the scoop: What’s wrong with the Lady Cardinals?

I’m not sure, but Kaye Smith has been around long enough to be able to turn things around for her team.

The loss to Corbin could turn out to be a minor bump in the road or a huge pothole.

We will soon see.

South Laurel doesn’t have long to lick its wombs with the Big 8 Classic coming up, but look for the Lady Cardinals to rebound from their upset loss to Corbin.



5. Williamsburg Lady Yellow Jackets (8-6)

What’s the scoop: Williamsburg could be the darkhorse in the 50th District. Andrea Ellis has done a fantastic job during her first year as head coach.





Boys Top 5



1. Whitley County Colonels (10-6)

What’s the scoop: For the time this season, I have a team that has stayed longer than one week at the No.1 spot.

Congrats goes out to Whitley County, who has enough talent to not only win the 50th District title, but the 13th Region crown, too.



Surprise, surprise: Senior pitcher Jordan McCumbers is 6-1 and has turned in a solid season, but you can’t forget about the effort Ted Clifford turned in during the second game of the Colonels’ doubleheader with Corbin.



2. Corbin Redhounds (11-7)

What’s the scoop: The Redhounds are quietly becoming one of the best teams in the 13th Region.

By the end of the season, Jeff Garmon’s squad might just be the team to beat.



Surprise, surprise: How about the pitching of Joseph Hamlin? His shut out performance during Corbin’s 1-0 win over Whitley County was flat out impressive.



The best of the rest ...

3. South Laurel Cardinals (13-5)

What’s the scoop: The Cardinals haven’t been playing consistent recently, but look for things to get better in the near future.



4. Knox Central Panthers (11-6)

What’s the scoop: The Panthers are beginning to hit stride and that’s bad news for the rest of the 13th Region.



5. Cumberland Redskins (9-1)

What’s the scoop: The Redskins could very well be the darkhorse of the 13th Region.

They’ve already captured the 13th Region All ‘A’ Classic championship, while losing only one game this season.

        

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