With a suffocating press that led to numerous easy baskets in building a 37-5 lead after one quarter, the Harlan Lady Dragons put a seven-game losing streak behind them with a 72-26 rout of visiting Jenkins on Saturday afternoon.
“We’ve played some tough teams so far, and I’m proud of how they came together. Some times we need a game like this,” Harlan coach Mackenzie Varner said.
Senior guard Cheyenne Rhymer scored 25 points to lead the 2-7 Lady Dragons. Peyshaunce Wynn and Addison Campbell added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The 2-6 Lady Cavaliers were led by eighth grade guard Ella Sutherland with 10 points.
Wynn and Rhymer each had four baskets in the first quarter as the Lady Dragons blew the game open quickly with their press. Campbell and Addy Patton added two baskets each.
“We wanted to work on our press today,” Varner said, “We try it every game. Sometimes we’re effective and sometimes not so effective, but I thought they did a good job with it today.”
A Patton trey pushed the lead to 43-5 early in the quarter before Varner went to her reserves. Jenkins went on an 11-1 run before several starters returned to push the lead to 56-19 at halftime and start a running clock. Rhymer had three baskets in the run while Campbell and Clarissa Yost added one basket each.
Wynn found Rhymer and Shelby Doan for baskets to open the second half then hit a 3 as Harlan extended its advantage to 68-24 heading into the final period.
Patton, Torrie Sundy and Addy Cochran hit free throws in the final quarter as the Lady Dragons outscored Jenkins 4-2 with reserves playing the entire period.
Harlan returns to action Monday in the Smoky Mountain Holiday Classic at Gatlinburg, Tenn., with an opening-round game against Owsley County.
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Led by 17 points from Addy Patton, Harlan improved to 3-2 in junior varsity action with a 42-31 victory. Talae Taylor scored eight, followed by Clarissa Yost with seven, Addy Cochran with five, Jerrah Phillips with four and Torrie Sundy with one.
Ella Sutherland led Jenkins with 16 points. Alexis Hammonds scored six. Raelyn Newsome added five. Bella Holbrook and Kynlea Meade chipped in with two each.
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Harlan (72) — Peyshaunce Wynn 12, Cheyenne Rhymer 25, Addison Campbell 11, Shelby Doan 4, Raegan Goodman 3, Talae Taylor 3, Clarissa Yost 2, Addy Patton 8, Addy Cochran 3, Torrie Sundy 1, Jerrah Phillips 0, Shelbee Fee 0.
Jenkins (26) — Ella Sutherland 10, Harlow Bates 0, Raylyn Newsom 3, Keauna Shepherd 2, Bella Holbrook 7, Emily Whitaker 3, Alexis Hammonds 1, Makalya Hall 0, Kynlea Meade 0.
Jenkins 5 14 5 2 — 26
Harlan 37 19 12 4 — 72
