Harlan County will play at least seven of the 16 teams in last year’s Sweet Sixteen in what could very well be the toughest schedule ever for a county team.
The Bears knocked off 16th Region champ Ashland Blazer in the season’s opening week, then defeated 15th Region champ Martin County in the WYMT Mountain Classic semifinals. They closed play Saturday in the King of the Bluegrass tourney with an 80-74 victory over defending 7th Region champ Male to capture the consolation bracket title, finishing 3-1 in tournament play and improving to 10-1 overall.
Trent Noah was one of four Bears in double figures with 24 points. Maddox Huff added 22, followed by Jaycee Carter with 14 and Reggie Cottrell with 13.
The 7-4 Bulldogs were led by sophomore guard Cole Edelen with 32 points. Jordan Mitchell added 12 points.
HCHS got off to a red hot start, building a 30-13 lead after one quarter as Huff hit three 3-pointers and one basket. Noah, Johnson, Carter and Cottrell each had two baskets in the period.
Male cut the deficit to 38-31 by halftime, but the Bears heated up again in the third quarter as Noah scored 11 points and Cottrell added six to push the lead to 64-51.
Noah had eight points in the fourth quarter as the Bears held off the Bulldogs’ final comeback attempt.
Harlan County will open play in the Arby’s Classic on Tuesday in Bristol.
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Harlan County (80) —Trent Noah 24, Maddox Huff 22, Caleb Johnson 7, Jaycee Carter 14, Reggie Cottrell 13.
Louisville Male (74) — Cole Edelen 32, Keashawn Jordan 4, Max Gainey 7, Jayson Gasaway 8, Cornelius Barnett 8, Dash Egan 3, Jordan Mitchell 12.

Harlan County 30 8 26 16 — 80
Louisville Male 13 18 20 23 ‚— 74