CORBIN — Getting back to being a regional contender after winning only 11 games over the last two seasons doesn’t happen over night as Harlan coach Derrick Akal has preached through much of the 2026 campaign.
A 13th Region All “A” Classic title and trip to state competition was one step of the process. Upsetting defending district champ Harlan County and qualifying for the regional tournament after two years away was another.
The Dragons took another step Thursday in the first round of the 13th Region Tournament against defending champ and current co-favorite North Laurel. Harlan pushed the heavily favored Jaguars until the closing minutes, pulling even early in the third quarter, before falling 49-36.
“It was important that we got a chance to play Bell (last week in the district) and North to see what it looks like,” Akal said. “You say you want to be the best then you have to see what it looks like. I thought tonight they got a feel of it to see how strong, physical and confident they were. That’s what we’re working toward.”
Senior forward Reece Davidson, the 13th Region’s player of the year, led the 27-7 Jaguars with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore forward Corey Cunagin added 14 points.
The 12-20 Green Dragons were led by sophomore guard Izack Saylor with 14 points and junior forward Legend Mimes with 12 points.
Turnovers put the Dragons in an early 13-4 hole as Davidson had three baskets, including a dunk off a turnover with 3:52 left in the opening period. Saylor and Braxton Rowe each hit 3-pointers as Harlan cut the deficit to 15-10 heading into the second period.
As he’s done many times this season, Mimes provided a big boost off the bench for the Dragons as he had three baskets and an assist to Kobe Noe early in the second quarter as Harlan cut the deficit to two, A Cunagin steal and dunk and a Kaiden Allen basket pushed the Jaguars’ lead to 26-20 at halftime.
Harlan pulled even to start the second half on 3s by Ethan Huff and Saylor and had a chance to take the lead but couldn’t. Cooper Elza started a 9-0 run for North with a 3 that pushed the lead to nine before Mimes went coast to coast for a basket after a block under the North basket to make the score 35-28 heading into the fourth quarter.
“I think experience we’ve gained the past month with the All “A” region and All “A” state helped, but they were just bigger and stronger. They missed some shots, and we made some shots,” Akal said. “The game was more a pace that we could handle rather than being up and down.”
North also benefited from a 12-2 advantage in offensive rebounds.
“I think that was just their size. When Legend and Rowe came in we did a better job matching their size,” Akal said. “We also had some bad passes and turnovers, and that’s a lack of experience. I think when my guards get bigger and stronger and a little bit older we’ll stop making those kinds of mistakes.”
Saylor kept the Dragons within striking distance for much of the final period with a pair of 3-pointers as Harlan trailed by nine in the final minute before two free throws each by Jordan Rawlings and Cunagin put the game away.
Harlan brings back four starters and several key reserves next year with a roster that included only one senior this season in Dylan Cox, the last connection to 20-plus win teams in 2023 and 2022.
North Laurel will play the Corbin/Knox Central winner in the semifinals on Saturday afternoon.
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North Laurel (49) — Cooper Elza 6, Jordan Rawlings 2, Kaiden Allen 6, Reece Davidson 18, Corey Cunagin 14, R.J. Nobel 0, Cam Anderson 3, Brayden Hampton 0.
Harlan (36) — Ethan Huff 3, Jaxson Perry 2, Dylan Cox 0, Izack Saylor 14, Kobe Noe 2, Legend Mimes 12, Braxton Rowe 3, Eli Noe 0, Brayden Lucas 0, Dylan Collins 0.

Harlan 10 10 8 8 — 36
North Laurel 15 11 9 14 — 49