Jackets gain summer experience

Middlesboro continued its summer schedule last Tuesday at Whitley County by splitting two scrimmages, falling 51-44 to the host Jackets before rolling to a 77-37 win over Lynn Camp.

Senior guard Jerimah Beck poured in 24 points to lead the Jackets despite seeing limited action. Sophomore center Brady Hatmaker added 17 points along with a strong game on the boards.

“I have been very pleased with our guys buying in to our new philosophy on offense and the defensive end. The individual development of our guys have been off the charts,” Middlesboro coach John Wheat said. “It’s great when you have a bunch of gym rats that live in the gym and hold each other accountable while liking each teammate.”

The Jackets won twice on Thursday in summer scrimmages at Bell County, defeating Claiborne, Tenn., and then rolling to an 86-67 victory over Cumberland Gap, Tenn.

Middlesboro will play Whitley County on Monday and Tuesday and at Campbell County, Tenn., on Friday before traveling to Somerset on June 17.

Bobcats stay hot with a pair of victories at Corbin

The Bell County Bobcats will be one of the 13th Region’s top-ranked teams going into the 2025 season and are playing like it this summer.

Bell ran its summer record to 14-4 with a pair of wins last Tuesday at Corbin — 84-44 over Somerset and 73-53 over Corbin. The Bobcats defeated Barrbourville and Leslie County last Monday in a team camp at Barbourville High School.

Lions sweep Campbell County

The Pineville Mountain Lions continued their string of strong play over the summer with a pair of victories over Campbell County, Tenn.

The varsity Lions won 74-37, while the junior varsity team won 52-50 in overtime.

In the varsity matchup, the Lions took an early lead and coasted in for the win.

Pineville (6-1) was led by its senior trio of guards with Sawyer Thompson leading the way with 18 points. Ashton Moser added 17. Cam Puckett, a transfer from Berea, added 12. Dylan Abner added four. Kaiden Robbins and Gabriel Kells added two each.

The junior varsity came back from an early double digit deficit to defeat the Cougars in overtime.

Ethan Jackson led the 6-1 Lions with 18 points. Daughson Whitehead added 14. Tate Slone scored 10, while Nas Wilson added three. Kaiden Jackson, Gabriel Kells and Eli McDermott had two apiece.