MANCHESTER — For the second time in a little over a week, Taylynn Napier took over for the Harlan County Lady Bears just when they needed it most.
With her Lady Bears trailing by two early in the fourth quarter on Saturday in the Donnie Gray Shootout at Clay County against Hazard, the 14th Region’s top-rated team and preseason favorite, Napier went on a personal 7-0 run to give HC a lead it would not relinquish. Napier tied the game off a drive, then stole a Hazard pass and drained a 3 before drawing a foul on the next possession and hitting two free throws. Napier scored 12 of her game-high 20 points in a 19-8 run to end the game.
“She drives me crazy sometimes, but she is playing well and shooting the ball real well right now,” Harlan County coach Gary Greer said. “She doesn’t shy away from big moments.”
Reagan Clem and Jaylee Cochran added 11 points each of the 13-11 Lady Bears, who are one win away from clinching a winning record for the season.
The 15-10 Lady Dogs were led by Maddi Frohnapfel and Laura Everidge with 11 points each. Hazard had won four straight coming into the game and is 9-0 against 14th Region competition.
‘It’s a huge win. I feel like we’re playing like we’re supposed to be playing,” Greer said. “We have been guarding pretty good lately and taking what we do in practice and translate it over to the games. I’m tickled to death with them. We have several kids stepping up, and when we spread the ball around we have a chance to be good.”
Harlan County closes its regular season schedule against two more 14th Region opponents, playing its home finale Tuesday against Letcher Central before traveling to Leslie County on Friday.
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The Lady Bears fell 41-27 to Clay County in junior varsity action.
Harper Rice led the Lady Tigers with 16 points.
Shasta Brackett paced Harlan County (4-5) with 10 points. Kelsie Middleton scored five. Raegan Landa, Vanessa Griffith and Khloe Carr added four each.
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Harlan County (50) — Jaycee Simpson 2, Reagan Clem 11, Jaylee Cochran 11, Whitney Noe 4, Lacey Robinson 0, Taylynn Napier 20, Raegan Landa 2, Kylee Runions 0.
Hazard (41) — Maggie Combs 1, Maddi Frohnapfel 11, Laura Everidge 11, Braylynn Eddington 15 Kailey Pennington 2, Eliza Howard 0, Emily Higgins 0, Hannah Caudill 4.
Harlan County 12 6 12 20 — 50
Hazard 10 9 12 10 — 41
