With South Laurel waiting like a dark cloud on the horizon, there was a sense of urgency for the eight teams competing earlier this month in the 13th Region Tournament.

At least six of those teams had to feel they had a good shot at the title, which was eventually captured by Corbin. None of those teams likely feel the same about 2006, thanks to realignment and the arrival of South Laurel and North Laurel.

With four starters back from this year's state championship team, South Laurel will be the biggest favorite in the 13th Region since Clay County in 1988, when Richie Farmer and company were coming off a state title of their own.

South Laurel's expected dominance takes a little bit of the excitement out of looking ahead, but it seems like there are always a few surprises during the course of the season.

My top 10 a year ago included seven of the teams that eventually made it to Cawood for the regional tournament, but I again missed on the winner, picking Rockcastle to repeat in its final year in the 13th before switching places with the Laurels in the 12th.

The following is my annual look back at the previous season and a look ahead to what to expect in 2006.

All Region

First team

G Aaron Cash, Rockcastle County

G Blake Hubbs, Cawood

G Jordan Noble, Corbin

F Andrew Parks, Corbin

C Rodney Mitchell, Clay County

Second team

G James Patterson, Clay County

G Stuart Miller, Middlesboro

G Larry Helton, Bell County

F William Jones, Clay County

C Chris Jackson, Barbourville

Third team

G Matthew Cox, Barbourville

G John Smith, Harlan

G Deion Jalloh, Oneida Baptist

F Travis Clem, Cawood

C Andrew Brock, Cawood

Fourth team

G Derrick Watkins, Cawood

G Joe Mayes, Middlesboro

G