One popular theory about the Harlan Green Dragons in the offseason centered on the idea that their best days may be behind them.
It’s becoming clear the Green Dragons don’t subscribe to that theory.
Harlan completed an impressive run through the three 14th Region favorites with a 66-56 win Saturday over Perry Central in the finals of the WYMT Mountain Classic, becoming the first team in both school and county history to win the tournament that started in 1988.
Perry Central led 20-18 at the end of the first quarter, and 38-32 at halftime before the Green Dragons rallied in the second half, and outscored the Commodores, 33-18, to get the win.
Kaleb McLendon scored 23 points to lead the Green Dragons while Jaedyn Gist had 15 points, and Kyler McLendon finished with 10 points.
Harlan is now 5-0 while Perry Central fell to 4-2.
The Green Dragons will be tested again Monday with a road game against Pikeville. The game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
Editor’s note: John Henson helped with this story.
Harlan 66, Perry Central 56
PERRY CENTRAL (4-2)
Rydge Beverly 4-9 0-0 12, Trayton Woods 5-11 0-0 10, Kizer Slone 6-13 1-2 15, Tyler Day 4-9 0-0 10, Dylan Knight 2-6 4-4 8, Carter Castle 0-1 0-0 0, Tyson Neace 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-49 5-6 56.
HARLAN (5-0)
Kyler McLendon 4-11 0-0 10, Kaleb McLendon 7-13 2-2 23, Trenton Cole 1-2 0-0 2, Jaedyn Gist 5-12 5-6 15, Will Austin 4-6 3-4 11, Dylan Cox 1-3 0-0 3. Totals: 23-49 10-12 66.
Perry Central 20 18 5 13 — 56
Harlan 18 14 13 20 — 66
3-point goals: Perry Central 9-20 (Beverly 4-7, Day 3-6, Slone 2-4, Woods 0-3), Harlan 10-20 (Kaleb McLendon 7-13, Kyler McLendon 2-3, Cox 1-3, Cole 0-1). Rebounds: Perry Central 19 (Knight 8, Slone 5, Woods 3, Beverly 2, Day 1), Harlan 29 (Austin 10, Gist 9, Kaleb McLendon 5, Kyler McLendon 3, Cole 2). Turnovers: Perry Central 13, Harlan 13. Fouled out: None.
