Though still wildly inconsistent with one of the 13th Region’s youngest rosters, the Harlan County Lady Bears have demonstrated on a couple of occasions this year that better days are ahead.
The Lady Bears showed that potential again Saturday in the final day of play at the Smoky Mountain Holiday Classic, hitting seven 3-pointers in a 27-point first quarter on the way to a 57-35 win over Falkner, Miss., to salvage one win in three games.
“We shot the ball really well the first half. We ran the floor and had good spacing,” Harlan County coach Gary Greer said. “We are still learning how to play, but they are working and playing hard, and that’s all I can ask for.”
Jaylee Cochran ran three 3-pointers in the opening quarter and scored 11 of her game-high 18 points to lead HCHS. Reagan Clem added two 3s in the quarter and finished with 13 points.
Taylor Garner scored 16 and Ella Maurey added 12 for Falkner.
Harlan County (2-7) returns to action Thursday against Cumberland Gap, Tenn., in the Chain Rock Classic at Pineville.
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Harlan County (57) — Jaylee Cochran 18, Kylee Runions 8, Reagan Clem 13, Whitney Noe 4, Jaycee Simpson 5, Taylynn Napier 5, Raegan Landa 4.
Falkner, Miss. (35) — Emma Maurey 2, Ella Maurey 12, Taylor Garner 16, Mallie Mitchell 3 Anna Rucker 2.

Harlan County 27 12 11 7 — 57
Falkner, Miss. 10 5 14 6 — 35