CORBIN — Knox Central recorded its first 13th Region Tournament win since defeating Jackson County in the regional semifinals way back in 1998.
The Lady Panthers (21-8) joined Lynn Camp as the lone 51st District teams to win a region tournament game since the 2005-06 realignment by handing Harlan a 60-39 loss on Tuesday.
Led by 13th Region Coaches Association Player of the Year Halle Collins’ 23-point, 19-rebound effort, Knox Central used a 21-4 run in the second quarter to pull away from the Lady Green Dragons.
Collins also finished with four steals, three assists, and one steal while Kelsie Smith added nine points.
Aymanni Wynn led Harlan with 15 points and eight rebounds while Kylie Noe scored 11 points and pulled down five rebounds.
The game was nip and tuck in the first half with Harlan tying the contest at 16 apiece with 4:24 remaining in the second quarter before Knox Central went on a 21-4 run to close out the half to take a commanding 37-21 lead.
The Lady Panthers limited Harlan to 6-of-26 shooting from the floor in the first half while forcing the Lady Green Dragons into eight turnovers.
Knox Central connected on 13-of-28 shot attempts, including a 4-of-11 effort from 3-point range.
Halle Collins led the way for the Lady Panthers with 11 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals in the first half while Kelsie Smoth had seven points.
Kylie Noe scored eight points for Harlan while Aymanni Wynn had four points.
Collins added eight more points in the third quarter to help push Knox Central’s advantage to 52-29.
The Lady Panthers wrapped up the win despite being outscored, 10-8, in the fourth quarter.
