MIDDLESBORO — The Harlan County Black Bears reached the 20-win mark for the third straight year and 10th time in the 17-year history of the school with a blowout 74-23 win Wednesday at Middlesboro.
Senior guard Maddox Huff poured in 30 points to lead the 20-8 Bears. Trent Cole added 12 points and four 3-pointers.
“We were a little sloppy early. We were trying to work on some things,” Harlan County coach Kyle Jones said. “Their kids played hard. I like coach (John) Wheat a lot. We worked on some things we may have to use down the road. At times, we executed pretty well. At times we didn’t.”
Cole hit three 3-pointers in the opening quarter while Middlesboro missed all 12 of its shots from the field as the Bears built a 20-1 lead. Huff took over in the second quarter with five baskets as the lead grew to 42-7 at halftime, starting a running clock for the entire second half.
Huff hit four straight shots and Brody Napier added two baskets as the lead grew to 57-13 before Jones went to his reserves.
Freshman center Tucker Curtis had two baskets to close the third quarter as the Bears led 63-15. Sophomore forward Brady Freeman led the Bears in the fourth quarter with two baskets. Landon Brock, Curtis and Kayden Hensley added one basket each.
Joseph Killion led the 8-15 Jackets with seven points.
Harlan County plays host to Harlan on Friday in a girls/boys district doubleheader. Middlesboro plays at Oneida Baptist on Thursday.