BARBOURVILLE — Thirty three years since they won the first 13th Region All “A” Classic just across the street at Union College, the Harlan Green Dragons of 2023 staked their claim as one of the best in the tournament’s history with a dominating 78-46 rout of Jackson County on Tuesday in the finals at Barbourville High School.
It was the fourth straight championship for Harlan, tying the 1993-1996 Dragons for the longest run in tournament history.
Junior guard Kyler McLendon was named the tournament’s most valuable player as he led the 15-2 Dragons with 23 points. Trenton Cole heated up in the second half and finished with 17 points on five 3-pointers. Jaedyn Gist added 10 points.
“We’ve played well this year, and I’m proud of them. They have done a good job,” Harlan coach Derrick Akal said. “We played well and shot the ball well. We had three guys in double figures last year, and this year we have four. We’re balanced and we have depth now. Kyler has changed his body and is playing well. We’ve also shot the ball well throughout the season.”
The 12-6 Generals were led by guards Tydus Summers and Jude Lakes with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Keagan Ward added 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Jackson hurts its chances of an upset early, missing 12 of 15 shots from the field in the opening quarter, including several open looks around the basket. Kyler McLendon hit two 3-pointers and Cole added one as the Dragons grabbed a quick 9-2 led. Will Austin and Jaedyn Gist had two baskets and three rebounds in the quarter as Harlan built an 18-9 advantage.
The Dragons hit eight of 16 shots in the second quarter and outscored the Generals 27-11 to build a 45-20 halftime lead. Austin and Kyler McLendon each had two baskets in the period while Austin added four rebounds.
Cole heated up in the third quarter, hitting four of eight shots. Harlan started a running clock as Cole and Kaleb McLendon closed the period with 3s for a a 68-33 lead.
Harlan returns to action Thursday at Clay County. Jackson County travels to Oneida Baptist on Monday.

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Harlan 78, Jackson County 46
HARLAN (15-2)
Kyler McLendon 8-19 2-2 23, Kaleb McLendon 3-13 2-3 10, Trenton Cole 6-10 0-0 17, Jaedyn Gist 4-5 2-3 10, Will Austin 4-5 0-0 8, Nate Montanaro 1-2 0-0 3, Dylan Cox 0-0 0-0 0, Matthew Pennington 0-1 0-0 0, Hunter Clem 1-2 0-0 2, Connor Daniels 0-1 0-0 0, Jake Brewer 0-0 0-0 0, Cameron Maples 1-3 0-0 3, Ethan Shuler 0-1 0-0 0, Hunter Clem 1-2 0-0 2, Jacob Clark 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 29-63 6-8 78.
JACKSON COUNTY (12-6)
Jude Lakes 6-13 2-4 14, Tydus Summers 5-15 3-4 15, Korey Vickers 0-2 0-0 0, Carter Cunnagin 2-6 0-0 4, Keagan Ward 5-10 0-0 11, Ashton Clemmons 0-1 0-0 0, Jameson Marcum 0-0 0-0 0, Peyton Singleton 0-0 0-0 0, Connor Cunnagin 0-0 0-2 0, Braxton Clemmons 1-2 0-0 2, Zion Lakes 0-1 0-0 0, Peyton Singleton 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-50 5-10 46.

Harlan 18 27 23 10 — 78
Jackson County 9 11 13 13 — 46
3-point goals: Harlan 14-40 (Cole 5-9, Kyler McLendon 5-13, Kaleb McLendon 2-11, Montanaro 1-2, Maples 1-3, Austin 0-1, Daniels 0-1), Jackson County 3-15 (Summers 2-6, Ward 1-3, J. Lakes 0-1, Z. Lakes 0-1, A. Clemmons 0-1, B. Clemmons 0-1, Carter Cunnagin 0-2). Rebounds: Harlan 35 (Austin 9, Kaleb McLendon 6, Cole 5, Gist 5, Kyler McLendon 3, Pennington 3, Daniels 2, Clem 1, Maples 1), Jackson County 25 (Ward 11, J. Lakes 5, Carter Cunnagin 4, Summers 3, Vickers 1, B. Clemmons 1). Turnovers; Harlan 6, Jackson County 13. Fouled out: None.