Focused on Harlan County sports — today and yesterday

harlancountysports.com
Alexander Investment
Kentucky Farm Bureau Rotation
Focused on Harlan County sports — today and yesterday

harlancountysports.com
Alexander Investment
Focused on Harlan County sports — today and yesterday

harlancountysports.com
Alexander Investment
Categories:

Short-handed Black Bears defeat Virginia High in final scrimmage

By John Henson, Managing Editor
November 25, 2025
John Henson
Harlan County’s Trent Cole worked down the court in scrimmage action Tuesday at UVA-Wise. Cole led the Bears with 12 points in a 49-27 win over Virginia High School.
Harlan County junior guard Landon Brock worked around a Virginia High School defender in scrimmage action Tuesday at UVA-Wise. Brock scored eight points in the Bears’ 49-27 victory. (John Henson)

WISE, VA. — The Harlan County Black Bears played without two starters Saturday at Clay County and found a way to win 60-46 over Lincoln County. The Bears played without one starter Tuesday at UVA-Wise in their second and final scrimmage and rolled past Virginia High School 49-27.
Senior guard Reggie Cottrell missed the scrimmage due to injury, and the Bears struggled early before fighting back to build an 8-6 lead after one quarter. The Bears led 21-9 at halftime, then went on a 17-0 run in the third quarter to 44-13 lead heading into the final period.
Junior guard Trent Cole scored 12 points to lead the Bears. Landon Brock added eight points.
The Bears played strong on the defensive end throughout the scrimmage, turning several turnovers into transition baskets while moving the ball well for open shots.
With the Bears down 4-0 through the first two minutes, senior guard Brennan Blevins broke the drought as he scored off a drive. Two consecutive baskets by sophomore center Tucker Curtis, the second coming off a pass from Cole, gave the Bears a two-point lead.
Brock and Cole teamed to his six of eight free throws midway through the second quarter before Kaden Jones closed the half with a 3 for a 12-point halftime lead.
Virginia High, a Bristol squad that finished 22-8 last season, scored the first two points of the second half before Harlan County reeled off 17 unanswered beginning with a 3 from Cole. Jones, Blevins, Brock and Rydge Lewis also had baskets in the run. A 3 from Hayden Grace and another basket from Lewis to close the quarter gave the Bears a 31-point lead
The Black Bears open their regular-season schedule Dec. 6 at home against Whitley County.
———
Harlan County claimed a 45-31 win over Virginia High in junior varsity action.
Tyhler Coots scored 16 and Bryson Bryant added 12 to lead the Bears. Trey Creech tossed in six, followed by Rydge Lewis with five and Easton Engle and Blake Johnson with three each.
———
Haran County (49) — Trent Cole 12, Kaden Jones 5, Landon Brock 8, Brennan Blevins 6, Hayden Grace 5, Tucker Curtis 4, Tyhler Coots 2, Rydge Lewis 7.
Virginia High (27) — Graham 8, Estes 2, Lewis 5, Anderson 5, Edwards 2, Woolen 2, Hurley 1, Campbell 2.

More to Discover
More in Basketball
Harlan County sophomore guard Jaycee Simpson worked around a Corbin defender in summer basketball action Monday. Simpson scored 15 points in the Lady Bears’ 58-55 win.
Lady Bears rally for victories over Corbin, Whitley in summer hoops
The Harlan High School Basketball Camp was held June 8-9 for students in grades three through eight at the high school gym.
Basketball camp held at HHS
The Harlan County Lady Bears won all seven varsity scrimmages and six of seven junior varsity scrimmages during the Campbellsville University Team Camp this week. Team members include Natalie Moore, Raegan Landa, Shasta Brackett, Adleigh Creech, Jocelyn Miracle, Crissalyn Jones, Annie Burton, Morgyn Belcher, Andrea Napier, Jaycee Simpson , Taylynn Napier, Kenadee Sturgill, Reagan Clem, Jaylee Cochran, Kelsie Middleton and Khloe Carr.
Lady Bears win seven of seven at Campbellsville University camp
Harlan County guard Kaden Jones worked against pressure in summer basketball action earlier this month. The Black Bears won two games Thursday at Lindsey Wilson.
HCHS sweeps its four scrimmages at Lindsey Wilson basketball camp
Harlan junior forward Kobe Noe poured in 28 points Wednesday as the Green Dragons pushed South Laurel to the buzzer before falling 57-55. Noe scored 16 in a 63-52 win over Knox Central.
Green Dragons defeat Knox, fall to South on last-second shot at Clay
Harlan County sophomore guard Jaycee Simpson worked inside for a shot during a 36-35 win over West Carter in the Campbellsville Team Camp on Wednesday.
Lady Bears stay perfect with six wins in Campbellsville team camp
About the Contributors
By John Henson, Managing Editor
John Henson
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.