With two starters out, it was Harlan senior guard Cheyanne Rhymer’s time to pick up the load on Thursday at home against Barbourville. And that’s just what she did.
Rhymer hit 16 of 23 shots from the field and 10 of 11 1 free throws, pouring in a career-high 45 points and grabbing 14 rebounds on her final game at home as Harlan snapped a five-game losing skid in a 72-65 win.
The Lady Dragons were without sophomore guards Peyshaunce Wynn and Addison Campbell. Wynn due to sickness and Campbell had an injured.
“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” said Rhymer, who was named WHLN/attorney Scott Lisenbee Players of the Game. “It was tough without Peyshaunce and Addison, but I think our younger girls just really stepped up and I’m so proud of everyone who came into the game.”
“We had our younger ones who really stepped up,” Varner said. ” I think they all played a crucial role.”
Senior forward Raegan Goodman contributed 10 points and seven rebounds for Harlan. The Lady Dragons’ other senior, Shelby Doan added four points and four rebounds. Addy Cochran scored five.
Barbourville was led in scoring by sophomore guard Marleigh Martin with 24 points and seven rebounds. Bre Engle, a freshman guard, fired in 21 points. Eighth-grade reserve guard K.K. Mills added eight points.
Rhymer poured in 13 first-quarter points, including a trio of 3-pointers, as the Lady Dragons led 19-17 after one period.
The game was tied twice in the opening quarter and Barbourville held a one-point lead in the second period.
Both teams exchanged baskets the first four minutes on the second quarter. Harlan had its biggest first-half lead at the end of the period, 36-31.
Doan made two baskets to open the second half, giving the Lady Dragons a nine-point advantage.
The Lady Tigers cut the deficit to one, 46-45 late in the period.
A steal and layup by Rhymer gave Harlan a three-point lead after the third quarter.
A free throw by Mills at the 3:53 mark left in the game gave Barbourville a 58-57 edge.
Rhymer took over after that, scoring 10 points as the Lady Dragons claimed the victory.
Harlan, who outrebounded the Lady Tigers 37-34, committed 28 turnovers compared to 19 for Barbourville.
Since the 2003-04 season, Harlan has posted a 30-8 record in the all-time series, including 10 straight wins.
According to Harlan coach Mackenzie Varner, Peyshaunce Wynn and Addison Campbell will be ready for the district tournament next week.
The 8-19 Lady Dragons will play top-seeded Bell County (20-7) on Monday at 6 p.m., in the 52nd District Tournament at Bell. Harlan County takes on Middlesboro in the second game, at 7:30.
Barbourville (10-13) meets Pineville in the 51st District Tournament at Knox Central on Monday at 8 p.m. The Lady Panthers play Lynn Camp in the opening game.
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Harlan overpowered the Lady Tigers 62-28 in the junior varsity game.
Talae Taylor led the 4-7 Lady Dragons with 22 points. Jerrah Phillips and Addy Patton each scored 13. Addy Cochran followed with 12 while Torrie Sundy added two points.
Izzy Mills paced Barbourville with 11 points. K.K. Mills tossed in six points, and Kylie Merrill scored four. Haiden Bingham contributed three while Loren Gray and Kyndal Mills each added two points.