While their offensive statistics took a big hit with the loss of four starters from last season’s 22-win team, improving a defense that gave up too many open shots and too many easy drives to the basket on Thursday in a 63-57 loss to visiting Leslie County will be the focus for the 0-2 Harlan County Lady Bears in the weeks to come.
Harlan County found itself down 10-2 in the opening four minutes and played from behind the entire way, fighting back several times only to fall short, including in the final minute when the Lady Bears cut the deficit to three. The Lady Bears couldn’t overcome their mistakes, both on offense, defense and on the boards.
“It’s those key possessions when you have people in new roles who have to grow up,” Harlan County coach Anthony Nolan said. “We have to learn how to finish games. We gave up way too many points. We did a poor job defensively, and we have to fix that more than anything else. We have kids who aren’t making the effort to get out there and guard the 3-point shooters, and they aren’t closing out the gaps. We have to improve our defense. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long season.”
Iris Napier, a senior guard, poured in 25 points to lead Leslie County. Sophomore guard Ava Napier scored 16 points and senior point guard Eden Melton added 11 for the 1-1 Lady Eagles, who opened the season Monday with a loss at Pineville.
Senior guard Ella Karst, who was honored before the game for reaching the 2,000-point plateau in a loss Tuesday at Knox Central again led the Lady Bears with 29 points.
“These are growing pains. Every possession matters, and we stand there and watch the ball instead of getting position,” Nolan said. “Our reaction time is too slow. We gave up four offensive rebounds in one possession against four guards, and that’s unacceptable. We also made some bad decisions in the open floor and took a couple of quick shots.”
Harlan County hit only three of nine shots in the opening quarter and turned the ball over seven times during its second straight slow start. Senior guard Faith Hoskins had two of the Lady Bears’ baskets in the period as they got as close as four late in the period before an Ava Napier 3 pushed the lead to 18-11.
Karst had three baskets in the second quarter while Hoskins and Paige Phillips added two each as HCHS got as close as three midway through the period. Ava Napier hit three shots in the quarter, including a 3, as Leslie moved back out to a five-point lead, at 32-27, by halftime.
Ava Napier and Iris Napier each had two baskets in the third period as Leslie maintained its lead despite Kylie Jones heating up with a pair of 3-pointers to pull HCHS within five before the Lady Eagles hit three of four at the line to build a 51-43 advantage.
Leslie hit only three of 11 shots in the fourth quarter as HCHS stayed close, getting as close as 60-57 with 54.9 seconds left after five straight points by Karst. Iris Napier hit two free throws and Bailey Smith hit one to close out the game as the Lady Bears were unable to force a turnover.
Harlan County returns to action Friday at home against Corbin. Leslie County will play at Estill County on Saturday.
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The Harlan County junior varsity team put together its second straight fourth-quarter comeback to edge Leslie County 34-31.
Reagan Clem scored 13 points and Kylee Runions added 10 for the 2-0 Lady Bears. Jaylee Cochran tossed in seven points, while Maddi Middleton added four.
Emily Caldwell scored nine to lead Leslie County. Bella Lewis tossed in seven, followed by Haley Smith with six, Peyton Turner with four, and Kylee Lewis and Natalie Banks with two each. Lexi Wilson scored one.