LONDON — Clinging to three-point leads early in the second half against both Middlesboro and Barbourville on Monday in a team camp at South Laurel, the Harlan County Black Bears showed they can still be an explosive team as they took control on the way to blowout wins, 75-45 over Middlesboro and 68-40 over Barbourville.
Jackson Huff led a balanced HCHS attack with 21 points against Middlesboro. Maddox Huff scored 13. Jonah Swanner, Daniel Carmical and Ethan Rhymer added 12 points each. Jeremiah Clem and Jared Rhymer chipped in with three and two points, respectively.
Rhymer provided a big lift off the bench in the first half with four baskets to carry the HC offense. Swanner and Jackson Huff took over in the second half with Huff providing a perimeter threat and Swanner scoring off the dribble.
Maddox Huff sparked the Bears in the Barbourville game, finishing with 22 points while igniting a 40-12 run in the second half as he started the run with a three-point play, then a 3-pointer, then found Jackson Huff for a 3 and Carmical for two treys. The Bears hit nine 3-pointers in the second half and 13 in the scrimmage. The Bears also had 13 3-pointers against Middlesboro.
Jackson Huff and Carmical added 17 and 15 points, respectively, against Barbourville as each hit five 3-pointers. Swanner scored nine points. Jared Rhymer scored three. Clem added two.
Harlan County fell 46-44 to Middlesboro and defeated Barbourville 43-20 in junior varsity action.
The Black Bears, now 11-7 in varsity action, will play at Leslie County on Tuesday and will take on the Eagles and Jackson County.