LONDON — Two of the 13th Region’s top teams faced-off against each other on Tuesday with No. 1 Harlan County coming away with a 56-49 win over No. 2 South Laurel.
The two 13th Region heavyweights took each other’s best punch, and displayed stellar defensive play throughout the contest.
The Black Bears (6-0) became the first team this season to score at least 50 points against the Cardinals while South Laurel (3-0) held Harlan County to its lowest point total of the season.
”You can’t have empty possessions (on offense),” South Laurel coach Jeff Davis said of his team’s scoring struggles on Tuesday. “They’re too good for us to have that happen. Trent (Noah) is a load, and there is a reason he is that good. I thought we guarded well. Especially against a team like them, that is offensively-minded.
“We didn’t have a good start in the third quarter,” he added. “I’ve got to do a better job of getting them in places to be successful. People talk about how good offensively Harlan County is, they defended rear ends off tonight.”
Harlan County raced out to a 13-5 lead in the first quarter as Trent Noah scored five of his 22 points during the period. Reggie Cottrell added four points while Caleb Johnson and Brody Napier each added two points apiece.
The Cardinals chipped away at their deficit in the second quarter and only trailed 20-19 at halftime.
Colton Rawlings and Jordan Mabe each scored four points during the period while Hunter Bundy, Max Fullmer and Josh Steele each added two points apiece.
Harlan County began to take over in the third quarter, limiting South Laurel to only three field goals while outscoring the Cardinals, 17-6, to ask a commanding 37-25 lead into the fourth quarter.
Noah scored nine points during the quarter while Maddox Huff added five points, and Johnson hit a 3-pointer.
South Laurel attempted to rally in the game’s final eight minutes, outscoring the Black Bears, 24-19.
Steele, Rawlings, and Mabe each scored six points apiece in the period. They also finished with 12 points apiece.
Huff and Johnson joined Noah in double figures for the Black Bears, finishing with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
