CORBIN — Even though it’s a couple of miles and up a massive hill away from her actual home court, Corbin senior guard Raegan Walker couldn’t be much more comfortable than she is at The Corbin Arena.
Walker hit the game-winning shot as a freshman when Corbin edged South Laurel in overtime to win a 13th Region Tournament title in 2022. She kept her senior season alive Tuesday by taking over down the stretch in the Lady Hounds’ hard-fought 77-66 win over Harlan in a first-round game. Walker scored 10 of her team-high 23 points in the final four minutes as Corbin fought back from a four-point deficit.
“She’s been a big part of this program for a long time, and she really likes this place,” Corbin coach Isaac Wilson said. “She’s definitely our leader. We go as she goes. She went pretty well. We have to continue to have that from her. We’re happy to get a chance to come back Friday and try to earn another 32 minutes.”
Senior guard Kylie Clem added 20 points for the 19-10 Lady Hounds. Lydia King and Addy Wilson chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Corbin jumped out to a 22-5 lead late in the first quarter, then watched Harlan fight back, eventually taking a four-point lead in the fourth quarter before Walker stepped up by hitting eight of eight free throws and adding a basket in the final three minutes as part of a 17-4 run to close the game. The Lady Dragons lost senior guard Aymanni Wynn to fouls with the score tied at. 62 with 3:14 to play.
“I think that’s the story of this basketball team, to be honest. We haven’t like to make anything easy all year,” Wilson said. “The best four quarters we’ve put together was the opening round of the district against Whitley. So many of our games have been like this. We had a great first quarter, then not the best second quarter and then the third quarter we lost by 10. It’s the epitome of this basketball team. We continue to fight and grind. We have a grit about us.”
“Our offense wasn’t really flowing, and their offense was (in the first quarter),” Harlan coach Mackenzie Varner said. “We fought the whole and there’s not many things I can say about our second half. I thought when Aymanni fouled out it kind of changed the pace of the game.”
Freshman guard Peyshaunce Wynn carried the Harlan offense, especially in the first half as she scored 20 of her 30 points to keep the 20-13 Lady Dragons from being buried early. Senior forward Kylie Noe scored 15 of her 19 points in the second half to lead the Harlan comeback.
Noe, Aymanni Wynn and center Abbi Fields played in the their last games with the Lady Dragons.
“Peyshaunce was one of the youngest ones on the floor, but she didn’t play like it,” Varner said. “We talked in the locker room about losing three big leaders. They leave some big shoes to fill. Hopefully, we have some to fill them.”
Corbin advances to a semifinal matchup Friday against defending champ North Laurel.