Harlan County was limited to only one basket in the fourth quarter but hit seven of eight free throws to hang on for a 55-50 win Friday at Letcher Central.
The Lady Cougars outscored HCHS 17-9 in the fourth quarter after trailing 46-33 entering the period. Kiera Couch scored 10 of her 25 points in the last quarter to lead the comeback.
Junior guard Ella Karst again led the 17-6 Lady Bears as she scored 24 points, including nine of nine at the line. Jaylin Smith added 10 points and joined the school’s 500-rebound club in the process.
“Letcher is a tough place to play, but we executed well and stretched the lead to 11 under two minutes,” Harlan County coach Anthony Nolan said. “We missed some free throws late and they banked a 3 to close the gap, but it was an impressive win after a big district game the night before.”
Karst and Smith each had three baskets in the opening quarter as HCHS took a 16-14 lead. Karst scored five points in the second quarter while Kylie Jones, Hailey Austin and Taytum Griffin each hit 3-pointers to push the lead to 30-24 at the break.
Harlan County outscored Letcher 16-9 in the third quarter led by eight points from Karst and four from Austin.
Harlan County will play host to Harlan on Tuesday in a girls/boys district doubleheader.
———
Letcher Central won 36-25 in junior varsity action as Jaleigh Wright led the Lady Cougars with 13 points. Emma Pavlic scored nine. Alli Bailey chipped in with eight. Scarlett Stamper added four. Allena Tyree scored two.
Cheyenne Rhymer scored seven and Whitney Noe added six to lead Harlan County. Savannah Hill and Lauren Lewis each scored three. Maddi Middleton, Whitley Teague and Jaylee Cochran scored two each.
———
Harlan County (55) — Ella Karst 24, Taytum Griffin 5, Hailey Austin 7, Jaylin Smith 10, Taylor Lunsford 3, Kylie Jones 6.
Letcher Central (50) — Kiera Couch 25, Heidi Bentley 11, Jaylin Whitt 6, Payge Damron 2, Alli Bailey 2, Emma Pavlik 4.

Harlan County 16 14 16 9 — 55
Letcher Central 14 10 9 17 — 50