While watching his Black Bears win for the 10th time in their last 12 games, Harlan County coach Kyle Jones had no complaints about his team’s offense.
He wasn’t nearly as pleased with their defense after an 86-67 victory Friday over visiting Middlesboro.
“I felt like we shot the ball a little better at times, collectively, and not just one or two, but I felt we were kind of going through the motions (on defense). We were reaching so we could get a runout instead of just playing,” Jones said. “Hats off to Middlesboro because their coach has them playing hard. We had intensity on offense but not on defense. I thought we were just trying to outscore them.”
The 12-6 Black Bears were again led by their two most experienced players as senior guard Reggie Cottrell scored 25 points and junior guard Trent Cole added 16. Cottrell hit six of eight shots in the opening quarter as the Bears built a 30-16 lead after one quarter and remained in control.
“We’ve talked to Reggie about not settling. He’s shooting a good 3-point percentage, and we want him to take those when he’s open, but I think his mid-range is really underrated. He just has to do it more often,” Jones said.
Middlesboro coach Eddie Gilbert II also had complains about defense after watching the Bears hit 30 of 57 shots and building a 29-point lead with five and a half minutes left before Jones turned the game over to his reserves.
“We have to get better defensively. It’s plain and simple,” Gilbert said. “If we’re ever going to beat a good team we have to sit down and keep the ball in front of us. I told them before the game they wanted to drive and dish, and we let them drive and dish.”
Senior guard Joseph Killion scored 18 points and junior guard Bryson Books added 16 for the 11-8 Jackets. Aiden Larew chipped in with 14.
Middlesboro got as close as eight on consecutive 3s by Brooks and Killion before HCHS reeled off 11 straight points on 3-pointers from Cole, Cottrell and Landon Brock. Cole hit two 3s in the quarter as the Bears extended their advantage to 54-34 at halftime.
Cottrell had three baskets in the third period as the Bears outscored Middlesboro 17-15. The lead grew to 82-53 as Brady Smith, who finished with 11 points, and Kaden Jones each hit 3-pointers and Cole added a layup in a 11-2 run. Middlesboro reeled off 14 straight points against the HC reserves before Rydge Lewis and Trey Creech ended the drought with two free throws each.
Harlan County will play host to Bell County on Tuesday in a district doubleheader. Middlesboro will be at home against Clay County on Tuesday.