Harlan County closed the regular season against the 13th Region’s top team and stayed close until the final minutes before falling 57-47 Thursday to visiting North Laurel.
Chloe McKnight scored 17 to lead the 24-5 Lady Jaguars. Brooke Nichelson and Marielle Claybrook added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Ella Karst scored 21 points and Cheyenne Rhymer added 12 to lead the 16-13 Lady Bears.
North built a 14-8 lead after one quarter and a 29-18 advantage by halftime. The Lady Jags’ lead was 47-29 after three quarters as Chloe McKnight had eight points in the period.
Rhymer heated up in the fourth quarter, scoring nine points on four baskets as the Lady Bears made a late run.
Harlan County will play host to Harlan on Monday in the first round of the 52nd District Tournament.
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Harlan County finished 9-4 in junior varsity action with a hard-fought 32-29 loss to North Laurel.
Eden Begley and Abby Howard scored eight each to lead North. Paisley Kilburn added seven, followed by Bella Brown with six and Hannah Jackson with three.
Jaycee Simpson and Kylee Runions led the Lady Bears with eight points each. Whitney Noe scored seven. Jaylee Cochran added four. Lacey Robinson scored two.
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North Laurel (57) — Jaelyn Black 5, Brooke Nichelson 15, Gracie McKnight 6, Chloe McKnight 17, Marielle Claybrook 14.
Harlan County (46) — Paige Phillips 4, Ella Karst 21, Cheyenne Rhymer 12, Faith Hoskins 7, Whitley Teague 2.

North Laurel 14 15 18 10 — 57
Harlan County 8 10 11 18 — 47