With her Harlan County Lady Bears trailing by five points entering the fourth quarter Tuesday at Leslie County, senior guard Ella Karst decided it was time to take over. Karst scored 15 of her game-high 27 points in the final period as the Lady Bears rallied for a 51-48 victory to avenge a loss at home in December.
Senior forward Paige Phillips added 10 points, including two baskets in the decisive fourth period, as HCHS won for the seventh time in its last eight games.
“Leslie County is always a tough place to play,” Harlan County coach Anthony Nolan said. “They have five good guards who are quick off the dribble and can shoot. We were able to get key stops with our defense and were patient with our possessions on offense. The seniors really stepped up and made big plays.”
Ava Napier scored 15 points and Iris Napier added 14 to lead the 12-10 Lady Eagles.
The 14-10 Lady Bears return to action Friday at Harlan in a girls/boys district doubleheader.
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Harlan County fell to 8-3 in junior varsity action with a 33-23 loss. Kylee Lewis, a junior guard, led the Lady Eagles with 12 points.
Jaylee Cochran paced Harlan County with 11 points. Kylee Runions scored eight. Whitney Noe and Trinity Jones added two each.
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Harlan County (51) — Ella Karst 27, Paige Phillips 10, Cheyenne Rhymer 6, Faith Hoskins 8.
Leslie County (48) — Eden Melton 4, Iris Napier 14, Emily Roark 7, Ava Napier 15, Bailey Smith 8.
Harlan County 8 14 9 20 — 51
Leslie County 10 14 12 12 — 48
3-point goals: Harlan County 4 (Hoskins 2, Karst 1, Rhymer 1), Leslie County 3 (Smith 2, A. Napier 1).