Focused on Harlan County sports — today and yesterday

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Harlan ARH
Howard Heating
Focused on Harlan County sports — today and yesterday

harlancountysports.com
Harlan ARH
Focused on Harlan County sports — today and yesterday

harlancountysports.com
Harlan ARH
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Black Bears fall to strong South squad to open summer schedule

By John Henson, Managing Editor
May 29, 2026
John Henson
Harlan County junior guard Brady Smith worked against a South Laurel defender in the Bears’ opening scrimmages Friday in London. The Cardinals grabbed an early lead on the way to an 81-61 win.
Harlan County freshman guard Caysen Farley poured in 29 points Friday to lead the Bears in a 58-39 win over South Laurel in junior varsity action in London. (John Henson)

LONDON — Harlan County won two of three scrimmages to open its summer schedule Friday at South Laurel, but the Black Bears fell 81-61 in varsity action as the Cardinals looked like a regional contender under first-year coach Brad Sizemore after his his move from Bell County.

Standout sophomore guard Braxton Ferguson also made the move from Bell and led the Cards, along with 6-6 senior forward Joe Smith, who missed most of last season with an injury.

Senior guards Landon Brock and Trent Cole led the Bears with 20 and 18 points, respectively. Colton Delaney added seven points for HC, followed by Kaden Jones with six, Tucker Curtis with four and Brady Smith and Hayden Grace with three each.

The Harlan County freshman team opened play with a 44-30 win over South Laurel. Trey Creech scored 11 and Easton Engle and Carson Sanders added nine each for the Bears. Caysen Farley scored six, followed by Taylor Daniels with four, Kash Gooden with three and Adrian Fields with two.

Farley exploded for 29 points, including 19 in the first half, as HC won 58-39 in junior varsity action. Engle tossed in nine, followed by Creech with six, Gooden and Sanders with three each and Daniels, Fields, Blake Johnson and Braydon Gabbard with two each.

Harlan County returns to action Tuesday at Leslie County.

 

Lady Bears sweep three scrimmages at Bell

The Harlan County Lady Bears opened their summer schedule with a pair of wins Friday at Bell County, defeating Whitley County 40-32 and Bell County 34-29.

Sophomore forward Shasta Brackett scored 10 points and sophomore guard Jaycee Simpson added nine to lead HCHS in the win over Whitley. Reagan Clem and Taylynn Napier tossed in eight each. Kenadee Sturgill and Natalie Moore scored two each. Raegan Landa added one.

Napier poured in 15 points against Bell. Brackett scored six. Simpson and Clem added five and four points, respectively. Landa and Sturgill scored two each.

Harlan County claimed a 28-18 win over Bell County in junior varsity action as Crissalyn Jones scored nine and Jocelyn Miracle added eight for the Lady Bears. Adleigh Creech scored three. Kelsie Middleton, Khloe Carr, Natalie Moore and Morgyn Belcher added two each.

The Lady Bears will play at Leslie County on Monday.

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Harlan County senior guard Trent Cole worked against a Knott Central defender in the summer finale for both teams Wednesday in Hindman. The Bears won 54-50 to finish the summer with a 15-2 record.
Black Bears close strong summer with a sweep at Knott Central
Harlan County wins two varsity scrimmages at Letcher Central
Harlan County wins two varsity scrimmages at Letcher Central
Harlan County sophomore guard Reagan Clem drove against a Perry Central defender in summer scrimmage action Thursday. Clem scored six points in a 52-18 victory.
HCHS closes its summer schedule with victories over Perry, Letcher
Harlan sophomore guard Talae Taylor drove to the basket in summer action Thursday against Lynn Camp. Taylor led the Lady Dragons with 13 points in a 59-14 win.
Lady Dragons defeat Perry, Lynn Camp in summer scrimmages
Harlan County senior guard Landon Brock led the Bears with 12 points in a 54-26 win over Hazard earlier this week.
Bears coast past Hazard, Shelby Valley in summer scrimmages
Harlan County guard Taylynn Napier worked against Knott Central's Frankie Reed in scrimmage action Tuesday at Memorial Gym in Hazard. Napier scored five points in the Lady Bears' 39-25 loss.
HC's 14-game summer streak ends as Lady Bears fall to Knott, Hazard
About the Contributors
By John Henson, Managing Editor
John Henson
John Henson, Managing Editor
John Henson has covered sports since 1985 for the Harlan Daily Enterprise, the Cats Pause and harlancountysports.com, winning numerous Kentucky Press Association awards during that time. He also served as managing editor for 15 years and now teaches writing at Harlan County High School as part of the Gear Up program.