A prolific scorer in her middle school days at Cawood, Harlan County sophomore guard Cheyenne Rhymer had yet to find the same touch in high school — at least until Monday.
Rhymer hit seven of nine 3-pointers and finished with 25 points as the Lady Bears pulled away in the second half for a 77-50 victory at Barbourville.
“I am super proud of Cheyenne’s improvement over the course of the season,” Harlan County coach Anthony Nolan said. “It also shows the weapons we have if the focus is on Ella (Karst) alone. We need those players to finish the season with that type of confidence.”
The Lady Bears hit 15 of 30 from the 3-point line as a team with Ella Karst adding four in a 23-point night and Faith Hoskins hitting three as she scored 13.
Harlan County improved to 15-11 overall as Nolan earned his 200th win in 10 seasons with the Lady Bears.
Senior guard Sarah Smith scored 21 points and sophomore forward Layla Brock added 11 for the 13-11 Lady Tigers.
Harlan County plays at Jackson County on Friday. Barbourville travels to Richmond on Tuesday to take on Wellspring Guardians.
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A trio of middle schoolers teamed for 37 points as Harlan County ran its junior varsity record to 9-3 with a 47-22 win over Barbourville.
Kylee Runions scored 17, including nine in the first quarter as the Lady Bears built a 15-3 lead. Jaylee Cochran and Jaycee Simpson each added 10 points. Lacey Robinson chipped in with sevens and Whitney Noe scored three.
Bre Engle led Barbourville with six points. Bailee Branstutter and Macy Hoskins each scored four. Marleigh Martin and Sadie Hoffman each scored three. Allison Love added two.
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Harlan County (77) — Ella Karst 23, Cheyenne Rhymer 25, Paige Phillips 9, Faith Hoskins 13, Jaylee Cochran 3, Lacey Robinson 4.
Barbourville (50) — Sarah Smith 21, Lauren Smith 6, Emilee Sizemore 3, Danni Jordan 3, Layla Brock 11, Marleigh Martin 2, Bre Engle 4.
Harlan County 11 17 25 24 — 77
Barbourville 11 11 12 16 — 50
3-point goals: Harlan County 15 (Rhymer 7, Karst 4, Hoskins 3, Cochran 1), Barbourville 1 (Brock 1).
