Harlan guard Jordan Akal continue his climb among the state’s scoring leaders with two more big games over the weekend at the Pikeville Invitational. Akal scored 20 points on Friday in the Dragon’s 76-61 win over Magoffin County on Friday and then exploded for 42 points on Saturday in a 63-56 victory against Paintsville.
Akal had seven points in each of the opening two quarters as Harlan led 14-8 after one period and 23-17 at halftime. Akal had 19 of the Dragons’ 21 points in the third quarter, but Paintsville cut the deficit to three by outscoring Harlan 24-21. The Dragons put the game away at the free throw line in the fourth period, outscoring Paintsville 19-15.
Sophomore guard Connor Fugate came off the bench to lead the 9-8 Tigers with 22 points. Colby Fugate added 21 points.
Kaleb McLendon had a big game against Magoffin on Friday as he scored 28 points on seven 3-pointers. Kyler McLendon and Will Austin added 10 points each.
Sophomore guard Aden Barnett led the 10-10 Hornets with 31 points. Senior guard Isaiah Salyer added 15.
Harlan (14-5) will close its regular season schedule Tuesday at Red Bird in a girls/boys doubleheader.
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Harlan (63) — Jordan Akal 42, Kyler McLendon 4, Will Austin 5, Kaleb McLendon 7, Jaedyn Gist 5.
Paintsville (56) — Braxton Tharp 8, Colby Fugate 21, Jaxon Watts 2, Baron Ratliff 3, Connor Fugate 22.

Harlan 14 9 21 19 — 63
Paintsville 8 9 24 15 — 56
3-point goals: Harlan 6 (Akal 4, Kaleb McLendon 2), Paintsville 4 (Colby Fugate 2, Ratliff 1, Connor Fugate 1)
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Harlan (76) — Jordan Akal 20, Kyler McLendon 10, Will Austin 10, Kaleb McLendon 28, Jaedyn Gist 8.
Magoffin County (61) — Isaiah Salyer 15, Aden Barnett 31, Grayson Whitaker 5, Ben Lafferty 4, Ethan Prewitt 2, Caleb Wilson 2, Kaden Bowling 2.

Harlan 17 14 20 25 — 76
Magoffin County 16 17 13 15 — 61
3-point goals: Harlan County 13 (Kaleb McLendon 7, Akal 4, Kyler McLendon 1, Austin 1), Magoffin County 6 (Salyer 3, Barnett 2, Whitaker 1).