Gary Greer had no misconceptions what he was getting into last year as the new girls basketball coach at Harlan County High School. Ella Karst was at UVA-Wise after four seasons as the Lady Bears’ top player, and three other starters were gone from a 16-14 squad. There was no doubt that a major rebuilding project was starting and it wouldn’t be easy.
The Lady Bears struggled through much of the year with a lineup dominated by freshmen and middle school players, and the losses began to mount early before finishing 9-23. Harlan County showed signs of improvement late in the season, including an upset of defending champ Bell County in the first round of the 52nd District Tournament and a strong showing in the district finals against a veteran Harlan squad.
“We played pretty good late in the season last year, and it was great to make the regional tournament, but that’s over,” Greer said. “I know they were playing hard last year, but there’s a difference in playing hard and competing, and I thought we started competing late in the season.”
Greer is confident the Lady Bears learned from last year’s struggles and will be better in 2026 because of it, but improvements are necessary.
“Not making excuses, but we were so young last year with the only experience we had was an eighth grader coming off ACL surgery,” Greer said. “I think they understand now how you have to prepare every single day. You don’t turn on a switch and play hard. They realize now they have to work hard and compete every day. They all got tons of experience last year with varsity, junior varsity and freshmen basketball. We’re a year older and a year stronger with a lot of time in the weight room this offseason.”
The Lady Bears’ most experienced player is only a freshman, but guard Reagan Clem became a key player as a seventh grade before suffering a knee injury late in the season. She spent much of last year working her way back but finished strong averaging eight points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
“I think she’s back 100 percent,” Greer said. “About the last 10-12 games of the season, we got to see the real Reagan. She was more comfortable at that point, and we look for big things from her. She’s a great shooter and puts in a lot of time getting better.”
Jaylee Cochran (8.9 points per game last season, 2.8 rebounds) is back for her sophomore season at a wing.
“Jaylee is a great shooter and overcome some injuries and sickness late last season, but she still gave us everything she had,” Greer said. “She’s worked hard on getting to the rim and shooting floaters. She is an excellent rebounder and will block out every play.”
Jaycee Simpson (6.2, 2.3) played a key role off the bench last year as an eighth grader and will take over at point guard this season.
“Simpson will move into the starting lineup. She is a very intelligent player and gets her hands on a lot of balls defensively. She is also a good passer,” Greer said. “The last 10 or 12 games last year she played really well once she got comfortable. She takes a lot of pressure off Reagan when she is in the game. When both of them are in the game, either one can handle the ball.”
Sophomore guard Kylee Runions (10.1, 4.0) provided consistency and toughness for the Lady Bears in his first season as a starter and flashes of being one of the region’s elite players.
“Kylee has a lot of ability and can score in a variety of ways. I think she realizes how important it is to play hard every possession. She played real well late last year, and she is another good rebounder,” Greer said.
Lacey Robinson (2.7, 4.5), a 5-7 senior, is back for her second season as the Lady Bears’ starting center.
“She has to be a leader for us. She will guard the biggest person on the floor and help us in a lot of ways,” Greer said.
Raegan Landa (2.7, 4.5) provided a huge lift for the Lady Bears in the post last year as an eighth grader and should play a bigger role this season. Shasta Brackett, a freshman who missed last season with injuries, will also provide depth.
“Raegan is long and athletic and runs like a deer. She had a big eighth-grade season and did some great things for us,” Greer said. “Brackett will also play there. She is probably the most athletic kid on the team. She has to learn our system after having some injuries last year.”
Eighth grader Taylynn Napier (3.5) was a junior varsity standout last season while also contributing on the varsity squad.
“Taylynn played a lot of minutes last year as a seventh grader and is one who is physically ready,” Greer said. “She has worked getting better defensively. She is learning every day.”
Whitney Noe (2.6, 2.0), a senior guard, helps the squad with her shooting and defensive abilities.
“She will play hard every single possession and will be physical,” Greer said. “She gave us everything she had last year despite a hairline fracture. She is a good shooter and a really good defender.”
Freshman guard Kenadee Sturgill has impressed with coaching staff with her off-season work and will fill a bigger role this season.
“Sturgill has improved leaps and bounds,” Greer said. “She has probably more than any kid I’ve been around. She is very quick with her first step, and I’m excited for her future. She had a great summer and will help us.”
With no starters above 5-7, rebounding remains a crucial stat for the Lady Bears. Improvements in that area, according to Greer, are crucial to improvements in their win-loss record.
“We have to rebound the ball, and it can’t be just one person,” he said. “I don’t think we have a kid who can get 10-12 rebounds, so it has to be a group effort. We have to get the long rebounds and loose balls. We need several averaging four or five a game for us to be successful.”
Bell County, Harlan and Harlan County have taken turns dominating the 52nd District over the past decade and a half, but there seems to be no clear-cut favorite this year with no powerhouses but all four teams ranked closely together at the bottom of the region’s top 10.
“I feel anybody can win the district. There won’t be any easy games,” Greer said. “It will come down to whoever is playing better at that time. I know some teams have lost some key players, but I feel the district is very balanced. Our goal is to win the district, and we feel we have a shot. That’s all you can ask for.”