From a 29-point loss at Knox Central to open the season on Dec. 1, the Harlan Green Dragons found themselves with a five-point early in the fourth quarter of the rematch on Monday at Harlan. The Dragons were unable to finish the upset as Knox went on a 15-2 run on the way to a 67-57 victory.
“This time of year, you expect to get better,” Harlan coach Derrick Akal said. “We had an opportunity to win, but young teams like ours don’t always know how to win and understand situations, but we’ll get better. We missed some shots we normally take and shots we work on. I also thought we could have done a better job executing and getting better shots, rhythm shots. We took the shots because they were there, not necessarily because we wanted them.”
Senior guard Evan Taylor scored 25 points to lead the 14-6 Panthers. Spencer Prichard and Hayden Melton added 11 points each.
Sophomore guard Jaxson Perry had success getting to the basket against the Panthers as he and Izack Saylor led the Dragons with 19 points each.
Legend Mimes’ basket to open the fourth quarter extended the Dragons’ lead to 51-46. Kobe Reed reeled off five straight points for Knox to turn the momentum. A Dylan Cox steal and basket tied the game at 53 with 4:26 left, but it proved to be the last field goal for Harlan over the next three minutes. Baskets by Taylor and Luke Olmstead put the Panthers ahead to stay as Knox put the game away at the free throw line.
Harlan (10-14) will travel to Pineville on Tuesday and return home Wednesday to face Hazard.
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Knox Central (67) — Evan Hubbard 6, Trevor Smith 5, Hayden Melton 11, Evan Taylor 25, Spencer Prichard 11, Luke Olmstead 4, Kobe Reed 5.
Harlan (57) — Jaxson Perry 19, Ethan Huff 3, Dylan Cox 4, Izack Saylor 19, Kobe Noe 9, Legend Mimes 5, Braxton Rowe 2.