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Focused on Harlan County sports — today and yesterday

harlancountysports.com
Harlan ARH 2
Focused on Harlan County sports — today and yesterday

harlancountysports.com
Harlan ARH 2
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Lady Bears advance to finals of Smoky Mountain tournament

December 31, 2025
John Henson
Freshman guard Jaycee Simpson helped lead Harlan County to a pair of victories this week in the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

 

With wins over teams from two different states, Harlan County rolled into the finals of the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
The Lady Bears, winners of five straight, knocked off Lumpkin County, Ga., 57-37 on Tuesday in the semifinals,
Jaycee Simpson led a balanced HCHS attack with 10 points. Raegan Landa, Kenadee Sturgill and Jaylee Cochran added eight points each. Clem led in rebounds with five. Landa and Kylee Runions added four each.
The Lady Bears will play North Bullitt on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in the tournament finals.
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Harlan County won a defensive struggle Monday in the opening round with a 41-30 victory over Stewart Creek, Tenn.
Simpson scored 12 points to lead the Lady Bears. Cochran added seven points. Taylynn Napier led in rebounds with six.
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Harlan County (57) — Whitney Noe 5, Jaylee Cochran 8, Reagan Clem 7, Jaycee Simpson 10, Kylee Runions 3, Taylynn Napier 6, Raegan Landa 8, Kenadee Sturgill 8.
Lumpkin County, Ga (37) — Maddie Lee 4, E.K. Reese 11, Alayna Lindsey 8, Anna Kate Davis 1, Reagan Richardson 8, Keira Jackson 2, Riley Dyer 3
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Harlan County (41) —  Whitney Noe 3, Jaylee Cochran 7, Reagan Clem 6, Jaycee Simpson 12, Taylynn Napier 6, Kylee Runions 2, Kenadee Sturgill 3, Shasta Brackett 2.
Stewart Creek, Tenn. (30) — S. Davis 5, A.Maynard 5, G. Kynard 2, J. Bryant 6, J. Blanks 2, A. Malone 3, B. Brown 4, M. Walter 2, R. Stein 1.

 

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About the Contributor
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.