CORBIN — It took Tony Pietrowski’s Corbin Redhounds a couple of quarters to begin firing on all cylinders, but once they did, they were able to out Bell County (25-8) away during Wednesday’s 13th Region Boys’ Tournament semifinal action.
The Redhounds fought back from a three-point deficit in the second half to knock off the Bobcats, 60-43.
Corbin (20-10) will now face-off against rival Knox Central in Friday’s semifinal action. The Panthers defeated two-time defending 13th Region champion North Laurel earlier Wednesday, 72-65.
Carter Stewart led the Redhounds with 21 points while hitting 4-of-7 shot attempts from 3-point range. Eli Pietrowski scored 10 points and grabbed 15 rebounds while Zander Curry scored 10 points and finished with nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal.
Ethan Buell led Bell County with 20 points and seven rebounds while Blake Burnett scored 10 points.
Corbin came out red-hot in the first quarter and built a 15-6 lead but Bell County answered with a 16-6 run in the second quarter to take a 22-21 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Jaxon Thomas hit two key 3-pointers while Ethan Buell scored the Bobcats’ first 10 points to help give Bell County a one-point edge.
Bell County shot 8-of-14 in the first half while the Redhounds were 9-of-26. Corbin outrebounded Bell County, 13-6.
Carter Stewart led the Redhounds with six points while Lucas Brittain had five points.
Corbin came out in the second half looking like a different team.
A basket by Zander Curry combined with a 3-pointer by Carter Stewart gave the Redhounds a 26-24 lead at the 6:25 mark of the third quarter.
Bell County’s Ethan Buell quickly tied the game at 26 apiece before seeing Corbin close the period out with a 14-4 run.
Two free throws by Trey Worley with 11 seconds remaining pushed the Redhounds’ lead to 40-30.
Eli Pietrowski opened the fourth quarter with an old-fashioned 3-point play, giving Corbin a 43-40 advantage. Zander Curry followed with a a layup, pushing the Redhounds’ edge to 45-30, as Corbin cruised to the win.
