In a 2-9 start to the 2024 season, the Harlan Green Dragons have often lacked balance as they depend on senior guard Kyler McLendon for most of their scoring.
McLendon got some help Saturday as the Green Dragons opened defense of their 13th Region All “A” Classic title with an 82-26 rout of tournament host Red Bird.
Freshman guard Trent Cole scored 21 points and McLendon added 20 as the Green Dragons advanced to the semifinals. Dylan Cox chipped in with 10 points.
Josue Ilunga and Felix Omatoko led the 0-7 Cardinals with seven and six points, respectively.
Cole had five baskets in the opening quarter as the Dragons took control by building.a 28-7 lead. McLendon added three baskets.
Four more baskets by Cole and three from McLendon helped Harlan outscore Red Bird 26-7 in the second quarter for a 54-14 halftime lead.
Cox hit a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter as the Dragons’ advantage grew to 67-16.
Harlan coach Derrick Akal turned the game over to his reserves in the fourth quarter as sophomore Will Shepherd led the Dragons with five points. Cruz Galloway, Matthew Pennington, Eric Evans and Dylan Collins added one basket each.
Harlan advances to play Pineville on Monday at 6 p.m. in the semifinals.
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Harlan (82) — Trent Cole 21, Dylan Cox 10, Kyler McLendon 20, Nate Montanaro 4, Matthew Pennington 5, Darius Akal 2, Jared Moore 3, Eric Evans 4, Will Shepherd 8, Dylan Collins 2, Cruz Gallloway 3.
Red Bird (26) — Felix Omatoko 6, Josue Ilunga 7, Landon Belcher 3, Ashton Lewis 2, Trever Osborne 2, Muluken Dukamo 2, Daughson Whithead 4.

Harlan 28 26 13 15 — 82
Red Bird 7 7 2 10 — 26