Top 5 Preview: Thirteenth Region

Continuing with some very early 2018-19 regular season previews, we are breaking down the top 5 teams and top 5 college prospects in each region. We move to the Thirteenth region where South Laurel is the heavy favorite to win it after being the runners-up last year. Reigning champions Corbin will look to replace Andrew Taylor and Knox County won't be far behind South Laurel as the favorites to win the region.

Top 5 Teams:

1. South Laurel - South lost the regional title game in Overtime last season and return what are likely the two best players in the region this year. JJ Ramey and Matt Cromer are back and battle tested. The role players will have to figure out their roles as the season progresses but with two of the best players in the region coming back and a good coach in Jeff Davis, South holds the early edge.
2. Knox Central - The Panthers took a big hit with Markelle Turner graduating. Senior Nick Martin is likely to be the most dominating post player in the region and should make an impact all season long. If they can find a steady point guard play and Senior guards Jaylen Adams and Dane Imel can increase their production from to cover up the loss of Turner, Knox is more than capable of winning the region.
3. Corbin - Last year when Andrew Taylor was suspended for 3 games the Corbin roster turned into everyone chucking threes as quickly as possible. With Taylor and Chandler Stewart gone, Senior Chase Sanders and Junior Matthew Taylor return to lead the Hounds. Some other pieces will need to step up for any chance of getting back to the Sweet Sixteen.
4. North Laurel - Senior Adam Sizemore is one of the better point guards in the 2019 class in Kentucky but he will miss the start of the season after shoulder surgery. Brian Gray and Albert Oster combined for over 32 points per game last season and will have to be replaced. The Jags have several talented 8th graders who will likely play varsity this season.
5. Middlesboro - One team that didn't get hurt by graduation, Middlesboro brings back 3 of their top 4 scorers and adds Bell County transfer Trey Brock. Coach Lewis Morris has a lot of talent and should be the favorite to win the All "A" regional and contend for the region title in March. 

Top 5 College Prospects:

1. JJ Ramey - JJ has offers from Pikeville and Campbellsville and interest from multiple D1 programs. Ramey is a good athlete and can shoot the ball well but needs to improve his ball handling and perimeter defense in order to show coaches that he can play at the highest levels.
2. Matt Cromer - Cromer is an excellent shooter and really good athlete who has a knack for taking and making big shots. D1 schools Western Carolina and VMI have been through the gym to watch Cromer this month and he could end up at the D1 level if he shows coaches he can guard his position in college.
3. Nick Martin - Martin may end up playing football at the college level but he could be a really good NAIA or D2 power forward in the mold of Asbury All-American Trenton Thompson. Martin is trying to rip the rim off multiple times per game.
4. Trey Brock - Another player trying to dunk everything, Trey is one of the more impressive vertical athletes in the state. Once he puts it all together, he can be a mid major level D1 recruit due to his athleticism. Brock has become a better defender and has a lot of potential that needs to become production after moving to Middlesboro from Bell County.
5. Adam Sizemore - Adam is a heady PG with a high IQ and he's been running the team at North Laurel for 4 years. Sizemore has improved and become a lights out shooter to keep defenses honest.His ceiling is limited because he's only 5'8 but he will land comfortably at the D3 level or even higher.