PINEVILLE — Lacking the size of the past three seasons when they were able to find success in a halfcourt offense, the 2025-2026 Harlan County Black Bears will have to turn defense into offense if they are to remain near the top of the 13th Region.
The Black Bears found success with their pressure in the opening summer scrimmage Friday at Pineville in a matchup of two teams that made it all the way to the regional four last season.
Harlan County raced to a 17-0 lead by turning several Pineville turnovers into easy baskets. The Bears also had success from the perimeter as they coasted to a 68-32 victory.
Junior point guard Trent Cole scored 22 points and senior wing Reggie Cottrell added 16 to lead the Bears.
Cole and Cottrell, the Bears’ returning starters from last year’s 25-9 squad, each hit 3-pointers to ignite a 21-2 run that pushed the HCHS lead to 40-12 at halftime. Kaden Jones also hit a 3 in the run, while Brennan Blevins turned a steal into a layup and Brady Smith added a basket.
Cole had three baskets in the second half as the Bears outscored Pineville 28-20. The Lions lost all five starters and five reserves from a 22-10 squad that won the 51st District Tournament title and knocked off Clay County in the regional tournament.
Jones added nine points for the Bears. Brady Smith, Blevins, Tucker Curtis and Landon Brock added four each. Kayden Hensley scored three, and Hayden Grace chipped in with two.
Harlan County led by 10 at halftime of the junior varsity scrimmage and by 10 with four minutes left before Pineville closed with a 12-0 run to win 37-35.
Bryson Bryant led the Bears with nine points. Easton Engle, Hayden Grace and Thyler Coots scored six each. Andrew Vance tossed in five. Trey Creech scored three.
Harlan County will return to action Monday at Pulaski Southwestern.