One week after a 36-point win at home against Harlan County, the Bell County Lady Cats appeared well on their way to another blowout victory when they scored the first 12 points in the rematch Tuesday at HCHS.
As it turned out, the Bell needed that fast start to hold off a gutsy effort from the young but improving Lady Bears, who battled to the wire in a 53-46 loss.
“We’ve worked really hard the last few days on some things. The big thing is we’ve got to play with that attitude and a chip on the shoulder,” Harlan County coach Gary Greer said. “When we play like that, we can compete. We did that from the mid first quarter on. I’m proud of them. It was a big improvement from the last game. I’m not satisfied. We can compete in our district, and we’ll get back to work tomorrow. We have to grind this out for the next three weeks.”
Bell guards Lauren McGeorge and Lyla Scearse teamed for 35 points overall, including 17 points in the opening period as the Lady Cats built a 22-10 lead. McGeorge scored 22 points and Scearse added 13 as the Lady Cats improved to 16-5 overall and 5-1 in district action.
“I thought we got off to a good. Lyla hit three 3s early and Lauren did some good things,” Bell County coach David Teague said, “Our defensive effort was good early, but for whatever reason we got a little relaxed and it turned into a 3-point shooting contest for a little while. I’d rather came out with a win even if we didn’t play the prettiest. I’m proud of the kids and how they battled.”
Freshman guard Kylee Runions scored 18 points to lead the 6-16 Lady Bears. Reagan Clem, an eighth-grade guard, added nine points on three 3-pointers.
The Lady Bears cut a 12-point deficit after one quarter to 30-21 at halftime as Jaylee Cochran had two baskets in the period to lead HCHS.
Both teams scored 11 points in the third quarter. Runions had two baskets in the fourth period while Cochran and Jaycee Simpson each added treys as the Lady Bears got as close as seven down the stretch.
Harlan County (6-16) plays host to Middlesboro on Friday. Bell County will travel to Leslie County on Friday.