Dragons down Corbin, fall to Pulaski in summer opener

CORBIN — With five starters back from last year’s 52nd District and 13th Region All “A” Classic championship squad, the Harlan Green Dragons have no shortage of experience or athleticism in the starting lineup, and they played like in getting off to strong starts against both Corbin and Pulaski County on Monday in the Dragons’ opening scrimmages of the summer.
A lack of depth, however, made it difficult for the Dragons to close as strong as they started.
Harlan led by as many as 18 against Corbin in the opener and held on for a 68-62 win after the Hounds made a late run. Senior guard Jordan Akal led the Dragons with 29 points. Kyler McLendon and Will Austin added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Jaedyn Gist and Kaleb McLendon scored nine each.
Harlan led 38-23 late in the first half against Pulaski County, but the Maroons cut the lead to 42-36 by halftime and took control late in the second half on the way to an 81-67 win. Akal again led the Dragons, this time with 33 points. Kyler McLendon scored 12. Austin added nine, followed by Kaleb McLendon with eight, Gist with three and Hunter Clem with two.
Harlan fell 57-27 to Corbin in junior varsity action.