Even with a first quarter that included no field goals and a half that included only three, the Harlan County Lady Baers found a way to give themselves a chance to win Tuesday against visiting Clay County.
The Lady Bears found back from a nine-point halftime deficit to take a two-point lead late in the third quarter. They cut a seven-point in the fourth quarter to three in the final minute before missing two potential tying shots before falling 45-42.
“We started out slow the first half and dug ourselves a hole, but I was proud of the way we responded the second half. We gave ourselves a chance to win,” Harlan County coach Gary Greer said. “We made some mistakes late that cost us. It was a good learning experience.”
Eighth grade guard Maci White scored 15 points and junior center Carly Fultz added 11 to lead the 11-10 Lady Tigers.
Sophomore forward Kylee Runions hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and led the 9-10 Lady Bears with 11 points. Taylynn Napier added nine points.
Clay built a 12-6 lead after one quarter as the Lady Bears missed all their shots from the field. Jaylee Cochran broke the drought Harlan County with a 3 with 5:22 left in the half. Napier also hit a 3 as the Lady Bears found themselves down 25-16 at the break.
Whitney Noe, Cochran and Jaycee Simpson led the Lady Bears’ comeback in the third quarter as a 3 by Napier with 33 seconds left in the period put HC ahead 33-31. A basket by Pendland tied the game heading into the final period.
Fultz scored the first five points of the fourth quarter as the Lady Bears had to battle from behind again. Runions scored all nine points for HC in the period as her third 3 of the quarter cut the deficit to three with 1:01 to play. Clay gave the Lady Bears a chance by missing four straight free throws, but Simpson and Runions each missed shots in the closing seconds that could have forced overtime.
Harlan County plays at Middlesboro on Friday in a girls/boys district doubleheader.
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Clay County (45) — Maci White 15, Carly Fultz 11, Madison Pendland 6, Kenzie Grubb 0, Lauryn Sizemore 8, Harper Rice 5.
Harlan County (42) — Jaycee Simpson 7, Jaylee Cochran 9, Reagan Clem 0, Whitney Noe 4, Lacey Robinson 0, Taylynn Napier 9, Kylee Runions 11, Raegan Landa 0, Kenadee Sturgil 2.
Clay County 12 13 8 12 — 45
Harlan County 6 10 17 9 — 42
