Harlan’s perfect season came to an end on Thursday against a team the Green Dragons had beaten earlier this season.
Homestanding Pikeville got some revenge from its earlier loss to Harlan on Dec. 12 by defeating the Green Dragons, 76-63, in the finals of the Pikeville Invitational.
Pikeville’s Rylee Sammons scored 29 points while hitting five 3-pointers to lead the Panthers to the win. Eli Johnson added 22 points while Charlie Fitzer recorded a double-double, scoring 12 points while pulling down 18 rebounds. Heath Harrell finished with only four points but led the team with nine assists.
Harlan trailed 22-19 at the end of the first quarter, and was outscored, 20-11, in the second quarter, trailing, 42-30, at halftime while having to play catch-up the remainder of the game.
The Green Dragons connected on 23-of-63 shot attempts, including a 9-of-31 effort from 3-point range. They were also 8-of-15 from the free-throw line.
Kyler McLendon had 23 points, four rebounds, and four assists while Jaedyn Gist finished with 14 points, and 13 rebounds. Kaleb McLendon finished with 11 points and five rebounds.
