In position for one of the best seasons in school history, the Pineville Mountain Lions extended their win streak to four and improved to 18-7 overall with a 79-70 win Tuesday at Harlan.
Four Pineville seniors reached double digits in the win, led by Sawyer Thompson with 28 points. Ashton Moser tossed in 18, followed by Jeremiah Beck with 15 and Kaiden Robbins with 12.
“I like the direction we’re headed. I like how we’re moving the ball. It’s not just one guy. We have four or five who can lead us in scoring,” Pineville coach Brad Levy said. “We’ve been doing a lot better defensively, but this is a pretty good offensive team we’ve played. I tell all the guys we’ll never apologize for winning. They all count the same.”
The 5-20 Green Dragons were led by freshman guard Izack Saylor with 22 points. The Dragons also placed four in double figures as Nate Montanaro tossed in 15 as he got the start as the only HHS senior on Senior Night. Kobe Noe and Dylan Cox added 14 and 11 points, respectively
Thompson hit three 3-pointers and Moser added one as the Lions built an 18-16 lead after one quarter. Saylor led Harlan with three 3-pointers.
Moser, Thompson and Robbins each hit 3s in the second quarter as Pineville took control, building a 44-26 lead.
Noe, who battled foul trouble in the first half, came back strong in the second half with a pair of early baskets to ignite a Harlan comeback. The Lions made it easier for the Dragons by missing all eight free throws attempts in the quarter and 16 of 20 in the second half.
The Dragons got as close as nine by the end of the third quarter and cut the deficit to six when Saylor opened the fourth period with a 3. Thompson had three baskets as the Lions were able to hold off Harlan’s upset bid.
“Part of that was us and most of it was them. They are going to be a good team the next long while,” Levy said. “The record does not indicate the job that coach (Derrick) Akal has done and the talent they have. They are a tough team now — not just the future.”
“I thought they showed a willingness to stay in the fight, but they have played hard all season. It just hasn’t translated to wins,” Harlan coach Derrick Akal said.
Harlan plays host to Williamsburg on Thursday. Pineville travels to Wayland on Saturday at the Mountain Sports Hall of Fame to play Johnson Central.
———
Pineville (79) — Sawyer Thompson 28, Ashton Moser 18, Kaiden Robbins 12, Cam Puckett 6, Jeremiah Beck 15.
Harlan (70) — Jaxson Perry 6, Dylan Cox 11, Izack Saylor 22, Nate Montanaro 15, Kobe Noe 14, Eli Noe 2.

Pineville 18 26 13 22 — 79
Harlan 16 10 22 22 — 70