Harlan County made it clear early in Thursday afternoon’s semifinal game against Sardis, Ala., In the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic that they would be playing for a championship Friday, racing to a 24-2 lead on the way to a 60-26 victory.
Junior guard Jonah Swanner was a matchup problem for Sardis as he hit nine of 12 free throws in a 19-point performance to lead the 9-3 Black Bears. Trent Noah and Maddox Huff added 17 and 12 points, respectively, to move Harlan County into a championship matchup against Gatlinburg-Pittman, Tenn. (13-1), on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Huff scored 10 points and Noah added nine as the Bears built a 27-10 lead after one quarter. Swanner had eight points in the second quarter while Noah added seven as the lead grew to 47-15 by halftime.
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Harlan County (60) — Maddox Huff 12, Trent Noah 17, Daniel Carmical 5, Jonah Swanner 19, Jaycee Carter 0, Caleb Johnson 3, Brody Napier 2, Reggie Cottrell 2, Ethan Simpson 0, Brennan Blevins 0, Evan Simpson 0, Taelor Haywood 0, Tyler Baker 0, Aidan Reynolds 0.
Sardis, Ala. (26) — Carroll 5, Stephens 5, Gillilan 2, Martin 7, Bozarth 7.

Harlan County 27 20 9 4 — 60
Sardis, Ala. 10 5 3 8 — 26