An opening scrimmage Saturday at Scott County was a tough test for a young and inexperienced Harlan County team that fell 54-42.
A second scrimmage on Monday, this one at home against defending 13th Region champ North Laurel, was even tougher. The Lady Jaguars’ length, skill and experience were much too much for an HCHS lineup with three freshman starters as North won all four quarters in a 56-22 victory.
Senior wing Brooke Nicholson, who will play at Murray State University on the next level, scored 18 points to lead North Laurel. Mariella Claybrook, a 6-2 sophomore forward, added 13 points.
Freshman guard Kylee Runions led the Lady Bears with seven points.
North Laurel won the first quarter 14-5 and the second quarter 18-3. HCHS jumped to an 8-0 lead in the third quarter as Runions and Jaycee Simpson each hit 3s. The Lady Jaguars’ pressure eventually turned the momentum back as North won the quarter 12-10 and then the fourth quarter 12-4.
Harlan County will open its regular season schedule Tuesday at home against Knox Central. The Lady Panthers are ranked at the top of the 13th Region along with North Laurel in preseason polls.
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North Laurel rolled to a 45-20 win in junior varsity action as freshman guard Paisley Kilburn led the Lady Jags with 18 points.
Raegan Landa paced HCHS with six points, followed by Jaycee Simpson with five, Vanessa Griffith with four, Jaylynn Napier with three and Kenadee Sturgill with two.
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North Laurel (56) — Bella Lewis 6, Hailey Combs 2, Emma Carl 8, Brooke Nicholson 18, Mariella Claybrook 13, Bella Sizemore 9.
Harlan County (22) — Whitney Noe 5, Jaylee Cochran 4, Kylee Runions 7, Jaycee Simpson 3, Taylynn Napier 1, Raegan Landa 2.