Playing their final preseason tune-up before a regular season opener Tuesday against defending 14th Region champ Perry Central, the Harlan County Black Bears survived a challenge against Danville Christian on Saturday in the G.J. Smith Showcase at South Laurel High School.
Danville Christian, ranked fifth in the 12th Region this year by the Cats Pause, features standout guard Titus Boyd and 7-0 center Luai Ayiel and were tied in the fourth quarter against the Bears before guards Maddos Huff and Trent Noah took over to lead the Bears to a 76-67 victory.
Huff scored 27 points and Noah added 24 to lead the Bears, who played without junior guard Jonah Swanner due to illness. Daniel Carmical added 12 points and was followed by Caleb Johnson with seven and Jaycee Carter with six.
Noah and Huff teamed for 15 points in the first quarter as the Bears raced to a 17-8 lead. Harlan County went cold in the second quarter as the Warriors battled back to go up 32-28 at halftime.
Carmical, Huff and Noah each had two baskets in the third quarter as the Bears used a late run to take a six-point lead. Danville Christian fought back to pull even at 57-all before Noah’s three-point play put HCHS ahead to stay. Noah and Huff teamed for 24 points in the final period.
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Harlan County edged Madison Central 39-37 in a junior varsity scrimmage as freshman guard Reggie Cottrell broke a tie with two free throws in the closing seconds.
Tyler Baker and Cottrell each scored 10 to lead the Bears, followed by Brennan Blevins with eight, Aidan Reynolds with six, Taylor Haywood with three and Ethan Simpson with two.