In their first action since playing in the state championship game at Rupp Arena, the Harlan County Black Bears opened their summer schedule Thursday at Memorial Gym by taking on two of the top teams in the 14th Region.
In a matchup of defending regional champs, the Bears were in control most of the way in an 82-58 win over Perry Central.
Senior guard Maddox Huff, coming off an all-state campaign last season, hit six 3-pointers in a 32-point effort to lead the Bears. Reggie Cottrell and Jaycee Carter, both starters last season, added 13 points each. Brody Napier and Trent Cole tossed in nine points each. Brennan Blevins, Landon Brock and Cole Cornett scored two each.
Huff scored 23 in the first half as the Bears built a 47-29 lead. The lead grew to as many as 30 points in the second half in an 11-2 run sparked by Huff, Carter and Cole for a 75-45 lead.
Seth Caudill hit the game-winning shot in sudden-death overtime as Hazard won 62-60 in the Bears’ second scrimmage.
Huff scored 25 and Carter added 16 for the Bears. Cole scored nine, followed by Cottrell with eight and Napier with two.
Harlan County fell 41-39 to Perry Central and 30-28 to Leslie County in junior varsity scrimmages.
Brady Freeman scored seven points to lead the Bears against Perry. Bryson Bryant and Ryan Day added six each. Hayden Grace and Brady Smith each scored five. Cole Cornett added four. Landon Brock tossed in three, followed by Thyler Coots with two and Colton Delaney with one.
Freeman scored eight and Grace added five to lead the Bears against Leslie. Kayden Hensley and Bryson each scored three. Cornett, Brock, Tucker Curtis and Coots added two each. Day scored one.
Harlan County returns to action Monday at Knott Central.