LONDON — After dispatching the top teams in the 15th Region (Martin County) and 14th Region (Perry Central) over the weekend in the WYMT Mountain Classic, the Harlan County Black Bears found an even tougher challenge on the road at South Laurel on Tuesday in a showdown between the 13th Region’s top two teams.
Harlan County came into the game known more for its offense and South Laurel for its defense, but the Bears’ defense showed up a hostile environment and proved to be the difference as HCHS improved to 5-0 with a 56-49 victory.
“They’re rated second in the region (according to the 13th Region Media Network) and they have a good team. We knew it would be tough because they were talking on social media about packing the house. I told our kids they have a bullseye on their backs and they have to be ready every night,” Harlan County coach Kyle Jones said. “It was a very physical game and they tried to slow the pace down. I was most impressed with our defense. We’re really guarding people right now, and that’s what we have to do.”
South Laurel coach Jeff Davis agreed.
“We didn’t have a good start in the third quarter,” Davis told the 13th Region Media Network. “I’ve got to do a better job of getting them in places to be successful. People talk about how good offensively Harlan County is. They defended our rear ends off tonight.”
Senior guard Trent Noah scored 22 points to lead the Bears. Maddox Huff and Caleb Johnson added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Johnson hit two clutch 3-pointers in the second half, including one in the third quarter to cap a 7-0 run that put the Bears up by 12 as HCHS hit six of its first nine shots from the field. Johnson added his second trey early in the fourth quarter as the Harlan County lead grew to 15, and 42-27.
“They packed the lane and made other guys hit shots and Caleb came up big again with a couple of 3s,” Jones said. “We just have to keep having contributions like that.”
The Harlan County lead was 11 with 2:44 left when South made its final run, getting as close as six on baskets by Josh Steele and Colton Rawlings after the Bears came up empty twice on layups against the Cardinals’ pressure. Brody Napier hit two free throws with 27 seconds left to seal the victory.
Rawlings scored 14, Steele tossed in 12 and Jordan Mabe added 10 for the 3-1 Cardinals.
Defenses dominated the first half, especially the first three minutes as each team was limited to one basket. A Noah steal and basket started an 11-3 run over the final five minutes. Noah also had a 3 in the run while Reggie Cottrell hit four free throws.
South was limited to two-of-nine shooting in the opening period and trailed 13-5.
The HCHS lead was still at seven after a Huff basket with 3:02 left in the half, but the Cardinals closed with a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 20-19 at halftime. South hit six of 11 shots in the quarter, led by two baskets from Rawlings.
Harlan County will play Louisville DeSales on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Covington. South Laurel will play Bardstown on Saturday in the Carl Deaton Classic at Green County High School.
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Zach Thomas scored 15 points and Brendan Murphy added 13 as South Laurel rolled to a 58-33 victory in junior varsity action.
Brady Freeman led the 0-2 Bears with 10 points. Brennan Blevins added seven, followed by Gunnar Johnson with six, Shemar Carr with four, Kayden Hensley with three, Cole Cornett with two and Landon Brock with one.