CORBIN — The more things change, the more things remain the same.
Case in point — Friday’s 50th District title game matchup between defending champion South Laurel and Corbin.
The two 13th Region heavyweights took each other’s best punch before the Redhounds (21-8) did just enough to pull out a 61-59 win, capturing their first 50th District title since 2018.
“ Can’t put into words how happy I am for my team,” Corbin coach Tony Pietrowski said. “Especially my seniors. We have lost some tough ones this season, but never wavered in our attitude and effort. I think all that paid off for us tonight. We simply found a way to win.
“Two great performances by our team,” he added. “We will enjoy this evening and tomorrow. Then turn our full attention to our next opponent. Appreciate Redhound Nation for their outstanding support all week.”
It was another 50th District Tournament game that saw both teams battle foul trouble while combing for 54 fouls called in the game. The two teams also combined to shoot 59 free throws.
South Laurel (19-9) led early before Corbin answered in the second half to take a double digit lead in the fourth quarter.
The Redhounds looked to have the game in control, but normal Corbin vs. South Laurel fashion, a win never comes easy.
The Cardinals trailed 57-45 with 2:01 remaining before making one final push.
South Laurel went on a 14-4 run that saw the Cardinals have a chance to tie the game at 61 apiece with last than 15 seconds remaining, but they couldn’t convert on two free throw attempts.
Both teams struggled from the free-throw line. The Redhounds finished 18-of-34 while South Laurel was 16-of-25.
Corbin finished the game hitting 20-of-48 shot attempts while hitting 3-of-12 3-point attempts
The Cardinals finished 18-of-44 from the floor while hitting 7-of-19 shot attempts from 3-point range. Both teams turned the ball 18 times while the Redhounds won the rebound battle, 32-25.
Zander Curry led Corbin with 20 points and five rebounds while Trey Worley had 16 points and five rebounds. Carter Stewart finished with 12 points.
South Laurel’s Jordan Mabe, which scored his 1,000th career point in the loss, led all scorers with 29 points. He also had seven rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal. Colton Rawlings added 11 points for the Cardinals.
“Congrats to Corbin, they played a great game,” South Laurel coach Jeff Davis said. “Proud of our guys and our guys’ resolve.”
