LONDON — A new basketball season, means new beginnings and high expectations for the South Laurel Cardinals.
Jeff Davis’ squad enters the 2024-25 campaign ranked as the preseason No. 1 team in the 13th Region, searching for its first regional championship since 2016 when the Cardinals reached the Final Four of the Sweet Sixteen.
South Laurel is coming off a 19-11 campaign that saw its streak of five consecutive 50th District championships come to an end before falling, 38-34, in the first round of the 13th Region Tournament to eventual regional champion, and Sweet Sixteen runner-up, Harlan County.
With most of his roster returning from last season, Davis hopes the experience his team has gained will allow them to be even better this winter.
“Hopefully, we have gained the experience and mindset that when we play together, share the basketball and defend for 32-plus minutes, we can play with anyone,” he said. “But this has to be an every day thing in practice, just not in games. We aren’t making any promises to anyone other than we are going to work hard, we are being honest with ourselves and holding each other accountable, following what we also have done for years.”
The key to South Laurel’s success is improving each day, and according to Davis that is happening.
“We are getting better each day,” he said. “One percent better and learn from the day before and correct those mistakes to make us better. It was a good summer and guys got a lot of valuable experience.”
The Cardinals return four starters from last season, which includes the region’s top ranked player in senior Jordan Mabe.
Mabe averaged 16.3 points per game last season while establishing himself as the best defender in the region. He averaged 4.9 rebounds per game along with numerous blocks and deflections while guarding the opposing teams’ best player throughout the season.
Colton Rawlings averaged 14.2 points per game, and 3.7 points per game, and is one of the most-versatile players to watch in the 13th Region.
Rawlings can hurt teams with his shooting and driving to the basket abilities along with being one of the top defenders in the region.
Joshua Steele averaged 9.4 points per game along with a team-best 5.2 rebounds per game average. He gives South Laurel another strength in the post area while Jordan Steele averaged 5.8 points per game and 3.8 points per game.
Davis will also rely on some younger players as well this season.
“We will have some experience and we will have some youth,” he said. “We are going to count on a lot of guys and they are given the opportunity everyday in practice to show that they can help this team be successful.
“This is a really close group and they are a bunch of great young men and they believe in each other,” Davis added. “They are about whatever it takes to help the team. They will play hard and are unselfish.”
David said his main concerns entering the season are how his team defends, rebounds, and how mentally tough the Cardinals with be while the keys to success are to “get better each day and play one play at a time.”
A schedule that include teams such as Evangel Christian, Huntington, West Virginia, Danville Christian, Great Crossing, Montgomery County, Madison Central, North Laurel, Knox Central and Harlan County will have Davis’ team prepared for his team’s district battles with Coebin, Whitley County, and Williamsburg.
“We have a tough district and hopefully we have provided enough games that will get ready for those games and the tournament,” he said. “I’ll leave it to those people to determine what our schedule looks like. I know there is always that guy that says we play a soft schedule, so I’ll let you see what they think about our schedule. I know some like to say it’s a cup cake Schedule, so I have tried this year cut out on the cup cakes and add some beef to the schedule.
“We are in the toughest district year in and out,” he added. “It’s always a battle and if you are not ready, you will get beat and beat badly. The teams, coaches and players in this district are tough and battle tested.”
With his team primed and ready to make runs at the district, and region titles along with a deep run in postseason play, Davis said he doesn’t pay attention to any type of preseason rankings, and focuses on his team and what they need to do to get better.
“We are in the 13th Region and that is all I know,” he said. “I don’t look at rankings or polls. That is for you all to determine and have fun with, I believe it is just rat poison. I know some coaches, players and fans lose their minds if they aren’t ranked where they believe they should be. I definitely don’t follow or read that stuff. All that stuff is click bait and it’s someone’s opinion that probably doesn’t attend a game or see a game all year. Just rank us 17, 18, 19 or whatever last place is because I could care less.”
