LEXINGTON — Harlan County is two wins away from capturing the Black Bear basketball program’s first-ever state championship.
It would also mark the first time since 1987 a 13th Region team had won a state title.
Kyle Jones’ squad’s 85-71 comeback win over Campbell County during Friday’s quarterfinal action of the KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 also marked the first time a 13th Region team has advanced to semifinal action since South Laurel accomplished the feat in 2016.
But first things first, let’s talk about the Black Bears’ run.
Harlan County (33-4) is the talk of the Sweet 16 Tournament, and deservedly so.
The Black Bears won their first round matchup against defending state champion Warren Central with a 67-59 victory behind Trent Noah’s 35-point, 11-rebound effort.
Harlan County fought back from an 18-point third quarter deficit to defeat Campbell County 85-71 in overtime to earn its berth into Saturday’s Final Four matchup against Evangel Christian.
Noah scored 48 points, hit 7-of-10 3-point attempts, pulled down nine rebounds while going 9-for-9 from the floor.
The Black Bears are more than just Noah. Maddox Huff poured in 22 points and nine rebounds while leading the team with seven assists. Reggie Cottrell’s 3-pointer in overtime broke open the game for Harlan County while Jaycee Carter battled throughout the game and scored three points and finished with four rebounds. Both Caleb Johnson and Brody Napier chipped in baskets as well.
If you didn’t believe it before the Sweet 16, you better believe it now.
I’ll go ahead and say it, Harlan County possesses the best player in the state. Noah is as clutch as they get and he can also dominate rebounding the ball as well. If University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari didn’t reach out to Noah and show interest and offer him a scholarship, it would be a crying shame — Noah is the real deal.
Can the Black Bears beat Evangel Christian?
Absolutely.
Will they?
Well, the formula for Harlan County is pretty simple — shoot well from the floor and behind the arc, rebound the ball and don’t get into foul trouble.
Noah and Huff will need to continue to lead the way scoring-wise while Cottrell needs to continue to show he’s the best defender in the state. Carter is a big unsung hero and will need to continue to battle for the 50/50 balls and rebounds. And don’t forget about Johnson and Napier. Both have played stellar ball and they need to continue that.
Evangel Christian is the real deal, and Harlan County must find a way to contain the duo of Kyran Tilley and Christian Doerr without getting in foul trouble.
I think the Black Bears will be playing Saturday night.
Prediction: Harlan County 77, Evangel Christian 71
