After beating two out-of-state opponents in the first two rounds of the Smoky Mountain Winter Classic in Gatlinburg, Tenn., the Harlan County Lady Bears fell to a Kentucky team in the championship game as North Bullitt pulled away in the second half for a 42-37 victory.
Senior guard Kylie Downey scored 15 points and freshman forward Mylo Crow added 13 to lead the Lady Eagles, who improved to 8-5.
Sophomore guard Jaylee Cochran and freshman guard Jaycee Simpson each scored 11 to lead the 6-5 Lady Bears, who saw their five-game winning streak come to an end.
Harlnan County returns to action Jan. 5 in the 2A Section 7 Tournament at Bell County.
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North Bullitt (42) — Molly Jonnson 2, Kylie Downey 15, Reese Anderson 3, Brynlee Eskridge 1, Nikkiah Campbell 8, Mylo Crowe 13.
Harlan County (37) — Lacey Robinson 1, Whitney Noe 2, Jaylee Cochran 11, Jaycee Simpson 11, Taylynn Napier 5, Raegan Landa 2, Kenadee Sturgill 5.
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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.
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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.