Harlan and Clay County hooked up in an old-fashioned 13th Region battle in Manchester on Thursday with the Green Dragons escaping with a slim 88-86 victory.
Kyler McLendon scored 41 points, and the Green Dragons (16-2) needed them all as Glenn Gray’s Tigers turned in one of their best efforts of the season.
McLendon hit five 3-pointers while also knocking down 10-of-13 shot attempts from the free-throw line.
Hayden Harris did his best to keep Clay County (7-7) in the game, hitting six 3-pointers while scoring 31 points.
The Tigers built a 22-15 advantage in the first quarter as Harris scored 12 points while Ethan Jackson tossed in six of his 21 points during the period.
Harlan managed to fight back and send the game into a 39-all tie at halftime as Kyler McLendon scored 11 points while Trenton Cole hit two 3-pointers during the period.
Harris continued having the hot hand in the second quarter, scoring 13 points for Clay County.
The Green Dragons managed to build a small cushion in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers, 23-18, to take a 62-57 lead into the fourth quarter.
Kyler McLendon added 15 more point during the third period while Will Austin scored five of his 21 points during the quarter.
Kyler McLendon took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points while Kaleb McLendon added all five of his points to allow Harlan to slip past Clay County with a two-point victory.
Jaedyn Gist also scored in double figures for the Green Dragons, finishing with 10 points while Landon Dezarn added 14 points, and two 3-pointers for the Tigers.
