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 victory 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. Kaden Jones scored eight. 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. Jones scored five. Blevins and Brock added four each.
———
Harlan County closed its summer schedule with a 59-54 win over Somerset to sweep four games in the KABC Summer Shootout at Lexington Catholic High School.
Cole led the Bears with 28 points. Cottrell scored 14. Jones tossed in nine. Blevins and Smith scored four each.
The Bears finished summer action with a 14-3 record.