BARBOURVILLE — While leading Knox Central to three straight 13th Region Tournament titles from 2019 to 2021, Tony Patterson’s Panthers were known for their gritty defensive play. After three years away, Patterson was back on the Knox bench on Monday and his Panthers stepped back in time for the season opener against Harlan.
The visiting Green Dragons, known for their 3-point shooting, missed all 20 attempts from beyond the arc as Knox never trailed on the way to a 72-43 rout.
“Going back to when I coached here before, I thought that was one of our best defensive performances,” Patterson said. “The game plan was perfect for them. We pushed them off the line and got after them. They live and die by the 3 and can play with anybody when they get going. It was just a really good effort defensively.”
“We missed 3s and we missed free throws. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and as I told them I didn’t have them prepared,” Harlan coach Derrick Akal said. “The game was physical and tough and we didn’t adjust. Coach (Patterson) always has teams who play that way. I have to do a better job of preparing them.”
Sophomore guard Evan Hubbard hit nine of 15 shots and poured in 30 points to lead the Panthers. Sophomore center Hayden Melton added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Evan Taylor chipped in with 10 points.
Sophomore guard Jaxson Perry paced the Dragons with 14 points. Sophomore center Kobe Noe added 11 points and eight rebounds.
A Dylan Cox basket was the only field goal for the Dragons in the opening six minutes as Knox built an 11-3 lead while Harlan missed 10 of 11 shots before Legend Mimes broke the drought with 1:32 left in the opening period. Melton had two baskets in the quarter for the Panthers as they built an 11-5 lead.
Harlan started the second quarter just as cold as the first, missing six of its first 11 shots. Knox pushed its lead to 25-14 by halftime as Hubbard, Melton, Spencer Prichard, Olmstead and Nathan Dunn had one basket each in the period.
Harlan got as close as nine early in the third quarter before the Panthers started to pull away again as Hubbard had three baskets while Luke Olmstead and Melton added two each as Knox’s lead grew to 52-34 by the end of the period.
Hubbard hit four of five shots in the fourth quarter, sparking an 11-0 run that pushed the Panthers’ advantage to 70-35 to start a running clock with 3:25 left in the game. Knox hit seven of 11 shots in the fourth quarter.
Patterson, who stepped down from coaching after the 2022 season, said he was excited to be back on the bench.
“I want to give all the credit and honor and glory to God, He brought me back here for a reason,” he said. “I missed it and I’m glad to be back, but if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here. I give him all the credit. It’s good to be home. This is where I belong.”
Harlan returns to action Thursday at Clay County. Knox Central plays Friday against Clay County at Jackson County.
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Gavin Gray scored 13 points while Kaleb Taylor and Kobe Reed added eight each as Knox Central won 44-39 in junior varsity action.
Dalton Halcomb, a junior guard, led the Dragons with 11 points. Dylan Collins scored eight. Nate Cochran tossed in seven. Hunter Brock chipped in with four. Brayden Lucas, Brody Brock and Boss Bryson chipped in with three each.