CORBIN — After a seven-year wait between appearances in the state All “A” Classic, the Harlan Lady Dragons were happy to get back, even if it was against the top-ranked team in this year’s field.
Pikeville, the state’s fourth-ranked team and undefeated against Kentucky competition, scored 13 unanswered points after an early 3-3 tie and coasted past the Lady Dragons 61-41 in the nightcap of eight first-round games Wednesday at The Corbin Arena.
Senior guard Trinity Rowe, headed to Southern Miss, led the 14-2 Lady Panthers with 21 points. Kristen Whitehead and Leighan Jackson scored 11 each. Kyera Thornsbury added 10.
The 11-7 Lady Dragons were led by 14 points from Aymanni Wynn, 12 from Emma Owens and 10 from Kylie Noe.
“They’ve never been in this gym and never played in this type situation,” said first-year Harlan coach Mackenzie King Varner, who was a junior forward on the Lady Dragons’ All ‘A’ state runner-up team in 2017 in their last trip to state competition. “I’m proud of the way they played. We haven’t played a team as rough and tough as they were. It was a good matchup for us, and we just had a hard time scoring. I think they fought, and we have a lot of things we can learn and work on.”
Pikeville may have won the game on the glass with a 30-18 rebounding advantage that helped lead to 59 shots compared to 38 for Harlan.
Harlan will play host to Knox Central on Friday and Clay County on Saturday afternoon. Pikeville will play Crittenden County in the All “A” quarterfinals on Friday.
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Pikeville (61) —Trinity Rowe 21, Kristen Whitehead 11, Kyera Thornsbury 10, Leighan Jackson 11, Rylee Theiss 3, Nicole Lin 2, Kylie Alvin 2, Shyla Kidd 1.
Harlan (41) —Emma Owens 12, Aymanni Wynn 14, Kylie Noe 10, Addison Jackson 2, Peyshaunce Wynn 3.
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Harlan 3 11 13 14 — 41
Pikeville 16 15 16 14 — 61