Bears down Bell in summer action after one-point loss to Breathitt

Harlan+County+sophomore+guard+Jonah+Swanner+started+a+fast+break+in+scrimmage+action+Monday+against+Breathitt+County.+The+Bears+lost+56-55+on+a+basket+by+Breathitt+in+the+closing+seconds+but+bounced+back+with+a+57-49+win+over+Bell+County.

John Henson

Harlan County sophomore guard Jonah Swanner started a fast break in scrimmage action Monday against Breathitt County. The Bears lost 56-55 on a basket by Breathitt in the closing seconds but bounced back with a 57-49 win over Bell County.

By John Henson, Managing Editor

After letting a win slip away against Breathitt County, the preseason favorite in the 14th Region, the Harlan County Black Bears closed strong Monday at home with a 57-49 win over district rival Bell County.
Freshman guard Maddox Huff poured in 21 points to lead the Bears. Jackson Huff, a senior guard, added 12. Caleb Johnson tossed in seven. Jonah Swanner, Daniel Carmical and Jeremiah Clem scored five each. Jared Rhymer scored two.
Maddox Huff scored 17, Jackson Huff tossed in 13 and Swanner added 10 to lead the Bears in a 56-55 loss to Breathitt County. Clem scored five, followed by Carmical with three, Johnson with two and Jared Rhymer with one.
Harlan County, now 6-4 on the summer, will play the 13th Region’s top two teams on Tuesday at Knox Central, taking on the defending champion Panthers and North Laurel.
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Less than three months after helping lead Wallins to a middle school county title, Connor Daniels and Hunter Napier are off to a good start on the next level with the Harlan County junior varsity team.
Daniels poured in 19 points on Monday in the Bears’ 43-40 win over Bell County. Brody Napier tossed in 12 points. Hunter Napier and Jaycee Carter added six points each.
HCHS fell 79-45 to Breathitt County. Hunter Napier led the Bears with 14 points. Brody Napier added nine, followed by Daniels with seven, Carter with six, Brayden Hensley with four, Blake Hensley with three and Taelor Haywood with two.