Kyle Jones’ Harlan County Black Bears have been a team on a mission since missing last year’s 13th Region Tournament.
The Black Bears remained unbeaten against 13th Region opponents at 13-0 after defeating Harlan for the third time this season, this time around in the 52nd District finals, 72-62.
Led by Trent Noah’s 35-point scoring effort, Harlan County finally broke away in the fourth quarter.
The Black Bears entered the third quarter ahead by one point (48-47), but 15 points by Noah, and five points by Caleb Johnson allowed Harlan County to pull away.
The game was tied at 32 apiece at halftime, and remained close throughout the second half.
Maddox Huff turned in a 15-point scoring effort for the Black Bears (27-5) while Johnson had seven points, and Jonah Swanner scored six points.
Kyler McLendon led Harlan (24-7) with 18 points while Trenton Cole added 16 points. Jae’dyn Gist scored 15 points while Will Austin added eight points, and Kaleb McLendon scored five points.
The stage is now set for the 13th Region Tournament with North Laurel (49th District), South Laurel (50th District), Barbourville (51st District), and Harlan County (52nd District) entering as their respective district champions.
Clay County (49th District), Corbin (50th District), Pineville (51st District), and Harlan (52nd District) will enter be entering the 13th Region Tournament as their respective district’s runner-ups.
The 13th Region Boys’ Tournament draw will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Corbin Arena.
