CORBIN — When it comes to naming teams that will contend for the 13th Region championship, Tony Pietrowski’s Corbin Redhounds are right in the thick of things.
With a talented roster returning from last season’s 13th Region finalist, many believe Corbin can take the next step and make its first trip to Rupp Arena since 2018.
“We have a good amount of experience returning to our team this season,” Pietrowski said. “I felt we improved throughout the season last year and hopefully will carry some of those things into our practices. We will lean heavily upon our senior class.
“We have enough talent to compete and win the district and region this year,” he added. “I feel our schedule should prepare us and hopefully by the end of the year we will be playing our best basketball.”
With four starters returning, the Redhounds look to make noise throughout the season.
Returning starters are Carter Stewart, Trey Worley, Zander Curry, and Eli Pietrowski.
“Carter is a figure head of our program,” Pietrowski said. “He’s been with us since eighth grade and understands what our coaching staff expects on the floor and in practice. Trey most underrated player in our region. He does all the little things to help his team win. A true Redhound through and through.
“Zander is of the most versatile players in the region,” he added. “I expect him to have an outstanding season, and Eli will have to take on more roles for us this season. Once he gets his basketball legs back I expect him to be one of the better sophomores in the region.
“Our team has experience returning, but lack of practice time is a hurdle we will have to overcome,” Pietrowski continued. “I’m not sure we will look all that great in December, but expect us to show great improvement throughout the season.”
Pietrowski has numerous players that we will look to give him quality minutes as the season progresses.
“Ryder Akins is new to our program and will play varsity has an eighth grader,” he said. “I feel once he has some time with us he will be a huge attribute to our team.
“Lucas Brittain, Conner Blackburn, Noah Cima, Zach Reynolds and Conner Middleton will need to fill in some key spots for our team,” he added. “I’m excited to see them compete in practice and find a role in our success.”
Pietrowski said size, strength, depth and experience will be team strengths, but he does have concerns.
“We are behind most teams on our area due in large part to the number of guys that play football,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time.”
So what are keys to success for his team?
“Figuring out a style of play that suits our personal, Getting football guys into shape and familiar with our system,” he said. “We need patience as we get over both these hurdles.”
Pietrowski likes his team’s schedule this season. His Redhounds will be tested early and often.
“I feel like we have another tremendous schedule. We play all the top teams in our region, have two excellent Christmas tournaments, and added team the likes of Danville Christian, Ashland and Great Crossing,” he said.
As for the 50th District, the big question entering the season, can anyone unseat South Laurel as district champions.
“I feel we can win our district, that said South Laurel has won the last five,” Pietrowski said. “Until someone knocks them off they should be ranked in the one spot.
“We have all the pieces needed to win a regional crown,” he added. “Harlan County has tremendous talent and good portion of the team from last season coming back. South Laurel is well-coached, has one of the more versatile players in the region with Jordan Mabe and added a nice piece with Rawlings. North Laurel lost a lot, but has a very talent group of young kids coming up. Clay County has a good amount of talent and added Coach (Michael) Jones.”
