HYDEN — After losing four starters from last year’s 22-win team, the Harlan County Lady Bears and coach Anthony Nolan expect to have some growing pains as they prepare for the 2024 season.
Fortunately for the Lady Bears, they do have Ella Karst around for her senior season and she showed Wednesday in a scrimmage against Leslie County just how valuable she can be with a 27-point effort in a 38-33 victory at Mountain View Elementary School.
The Lady Bears struggled mightily against Leslie’s full-court pressure in the first half and trailed 15-8 after one quarter and 21-16 at the break with Karst accounting for all but one of Harlan County’s five baskets.
Nolan was able to make some adjustments at halftime and the Lady Bears slowly battled back, outscoring Leslie 10-2 in the third quarter behind three baskets from Karst and one from Paige Phillips. Baskets by Cheyenne Rhymer, Phillips and Karst pushed the lead to five before Leslie fought back to within two. Karst finally put it away with a couple of free throws after Leslie missed on a chance to tie.
Phillips added five points for the 2-0 Lady Bears while Kylie Jones and Rhymer added three each.
Leslie won 43-38 in junior varsity action and 41-38 in a freshman scrimmage.
Harlan County will play host to Barbourville on Monday at 11 a.m.