Harlan’s Kyler McLendon came up clutch at the most important time, scoring nine of his game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter as the Green Dragons held off Bell County, 66-58, in semifinal action of Tuesday’s 52nd District Tournament semifinals.
The eight-point victory sets up a third meeting between Harlan and Harlan County in Friday’s 52nd District Tournament title game.
The two teams have met twice this season with the Black Bears coming away with two wins.
Things didn’t look so good for Harlan early in against the Bobcats as Bell County fought back from a 22-16 deficit in the first quarter to take a 35-32 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Bobcats only managed six points in the third quarter while Kaleb McLendon hit two 3-pointers combined with five points from Kyler McLendon, as the Green Dragons reclaimed the lead at 45-41 entering the fourth quarter.
The game was close throughout with Harlan holding a two-point lead with three minutes remaining before a couple of defensive stops allowed the Green Dragons to pull away.
Will Austin added 15 points for Harlan while Kaleb McLendon finished with nine points.
Dawson Woolum led Bell County with 22 points while scoring his 2,000th career point during the game. Cameron Hall added 12 points while Ethan Buell finished with 11 points, and Blake Burnett scored 10 points.
