LOG MOUNTAIN — After a surprise loss to Harlan County in the first round of last year’s 52nd District Tournament, the Bell County Lady Cats made sure they didn’t go home early again. Bell dominated with defense in a 59-35 victory Monday over Harlan on Log Mountain. The Lady Dragons shot only 23 percent (10 of 44) from the field and were limited to only two points in the third quarter.
“You never know, but I was hoping we’d be ready to go, and I thought we had two good days of practice and the kids were focused in on what we needed to do to get by that first game,” Bell County coach David Teague said. “Harlan has some good players, and we wanted to try to limit their touches and set the tone with our defensive intensity. I thought the girls did a very good job with our defensive pressure. I thought our defensive effort was good. Our guards put a lot of pressure on the ball, and even when we didn’t get turnovers we were able to rush them on offense.”
Senior center Kairi Lamb again led the 21-7 Lady Cats with a 28-point, 13-rebound effort. Senior guard Nevaeh Allen added 15 points.
The Lady Dragons were led by Cheyenne Rhymer with 15 points in her final high school game. Sophomore guard Addison Campbell added nine points.
Lamb hit five of six shots in the opening quarter as Bell took control early, building a 20-8 lead after one period. Harlan missed nine of 11 shots in the quarter.
Rhymer had three baskets in the second quarter as Harlan got as close as eight before Bell reeled off nine straight points, capped by a 3 and a basket off a turnover by Allen. Lamb had three baskets in the period as the Bell lead grew to 37-20 at the break,.
The Lady Dragons missed all 13 of their shots from the field in the third quarter as they were outscored 16-2, led by four more baskets and six rebounds from Lamb to push the lead to 53-22.
Harlan outscored Bell 13-6 in the fourth quarter as both coaches substituted heavily.
After losing three starters from last year’s 52nd District championship team, the 8-20 Lady Dragons struggled with inconsistency.
“We knew that would happen. We did what we could. We had some bright moments, Obviously, we need to have a lot of growth before next season,” Harlan coach Mackenzie Varner said. “I think we had a lot buy into what we’re trying to do. We’re hopeful for the future.”
Bell County will play Middlesboro for the district championship on Thursday at 7.