By Patrick Ledington
BARBOURVILLE — After a long offseason high school basketball is back in the 13th Region.
In their first game of the season, the Harlan Green Dragons traveled to Barbourville to face the Knox Central Panthers with Knox Central pulling out a 72-43 win.
Beginning at the tip, Knox’s game plan was evident, get the ball inside to sophomore forward Hayden Melton.
Melton got himself involved early scoring the Panthers’ first two baskets.
The game continued to flow through Melton inside as he passed to 3-point shooters, Spencer
Prichard and Evan Hubbard.
Even though they found themselves in a 11-5 deficit at the end of the first quarter, the Green Dragons continued to battle.
Playing tough physical defense and constantly changing looks to try and slow the Panthers. Harlan received scoring from many hands with Dylan Cox, Evan Jones, Jason Perry and Kobe Noe all providing meaningful baskets.
After being down 25-14 at the half, Harlan came out of the break continuing to fight.
Behind the play of Perry and Noe, they cut the Panthers’ lead down early in the third quarter. However, that is as close as they would get as it would be all Knox Central the remainder of the game.
At the end of the third quarter, Knox Central led Harlan, 52-32.
The fourth quarter was much of the same with senior Evan Taylor, sophomore Evan Hubbard and company continuing to light up the scoreboard.
Knox Central’s next game is against Clay County on December 5.
