For a basketball team that is supposed to be rebuilding following the graduation of Division I players each of the past two seasons, the Harlan County Black Bears’ summer of 2025 performance says otherwise.
Harlan County rolled to three victories Friday in the KABC Shootout at Lexington Catholic High School.
The most impressive win of the day was a 59-55 win over South Oldham, a team that made it all the way to state semifinals last season. Junior guard Trent Cole poured in 22 points to lead the Bears. Reggie Cottrell chipped in with 12. Brennan Blevins tossed in seven, followed by Landon Brock with six and Brady Smith with four.
Harlan County opened with a 48-39 win over Ohio County, rallying from a three-point halftime deficit. Cole led the Bears with 22 points, followed by Brock with nine, Smith with eight, Cottrell with six and Hayden Grace with three.
Cottrell poured in 30 as the Bears defeated Metcalfe County 74-67. Smith scored 16. Grace tossed in eight. Cole added seven. Kaden Jones scored five. Blevins and Brock added four each.
The Bears, who are 13-3 on the summer, close out play Saturday in Lexington against Somerset.
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Bears sweep three scrimmages at the KABC Shootout in Lexington
June 20, 2025
Harlan County coach Kyle Jones talked to the Bears during a timeout in action earlier this summer. Harlan County swept past three opponents Friday in the KABC Summer Shootout at Lexington Catholic with wins over Ohio County, South Oldham and Metcalfe County.
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John Henson, Managing Editor
John Henson has covered sports since 1985 for the Harlan Daily Enterprise, the Cats Pause and harlancountysports.com, winning numerous Kentucky Press Association awards during that time. He also served as managing editor for 15 years and now teaches writing at Harlan County High School as part of the Gear Up program.