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The Harlan County Lady Bears have produced one traditional center after another in the last five years.Without an established back to the basket player next season, Anthony Nolan said his team will look to open up the offense.

“We have ran at a lot faster pace most of the summer, and played with a lot of four-guard lineups. I think most of our kids enjoyed that,” said the Harlan County coach. “It requires you to be in excellent condition, but the kids know what they have to do in the weight room in the fall. It should be exciting for the fans.”

Harlan County’s new fast-paced style is made possible by a group of experienced guards, including seniors Kaitlyn Stittums and Lauren Lee, junior Bella Noe and sophomore Brooklyn Massingill.

“We have two senior guards and then a junior and a sophomore. There is a ton of experience there, and we expect those kids to go out and lead us. All four of them could be a top 10 player in the region,” Nolan said.

With the smaller lineup, Harlan County guards will be forced to replace the rebounding and interior presence of Sarah Evans, Keisha Mimes and Madison Cornett, who were all lost to graduation. To replace that production, Nolan said the Lady Bears will have hit the weight room in the offseason.

“To play with a smaller lineup like that, these guards have to learn to be physical and rebound,” he said.

Harlan County wrapped up its summer campaign on Monday. The Lady Bears posted a solid 23-7 record despite missing several players at different times. Nolan said the absences of several regular starters helped to create playing time for the younger Lady Bears.

“The summer is about trying to find that surprise player that can step in and give key minutes in big situations. We have found out what our weaknesses are, and now it’s important that these kids develop their strengths and eliminate their weaknesses during the offseason,” he said. “We have had a lot of different people show glimpses of what they can do, but we are still looking for consistency. A lot of that has to do with confidence. Coaches can’t really give you that. You have to go out and earn it with repetition and hard work.”

Harlan County was forced to play the entire summer without Shannon Shackleford. The rising senior is expected to start next season after missing most of her junior year with a knee injury.

“Including Shannon being out, we have not had a complete roster this summer. We have had a different lineup nearly every game, so it is good to see girls that are going to be able to step up and play next year,” Nolan said. “”With Shannon not being able to play, it gives Becky Freeman, Kaitlin Evans, Leah Evans and Lindsay Brandon a lot of minutes.”

One of the most pleasant surprises for Harlan County was the emergence of a strong upcoming eighth-grade class, including Rebecca Middleton, Noah Canady, Kaylea Gross and Breann Turner. The group went 24-4 in junior varsity action, despite facing freshmen and sophomores for most of the summer.

“We have a very strong eighth-grade class, so the future is very bright. It is probably the strongest class that we have. They have probably played the entire junior varsity schedule and only lost a couple of games playing against freshmen and sophomores. That shows how impressive that group was. A couple of those kids proved they could get the job done at the high school level,” Nolan said. “They will be pushing the varsity and that helps because you have depth.”

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ROBINETTE

Frank L. Robinette, 85, of Harlan, KY passed away Monday, June 17 at the Community Living Center in Mountain Home, TN.

Frank was born July 6, 1927 in Fairview, VA . He was the son of late Walton Zachariah Robinette and Mary Elizabeth Robinette. He was the last surviving member of his family.

He attended Lincoln Memorial University and graduated from East Tennessee State University. He taught school for a number of years before coming to Harlan to work with his brothers at Robinette Cheverolet. Later he became the sole owner on Robinette Chevrolet until his retirement. Frank proudly served his country and was a Corporal in the United States Air Force , he was a Veteran of the Korean War.

Besides his parents,he was preceded in death by his son, John Walton Robinette, three brothers and four sisters.

His survivors include his wife of sixty years, Madge Robinette of Harlan; one son, Karl Frank Robinette of Duffield, VA; his grandsons, Justin Robinette of Buckly Air Force, Denver, CO., Frank Walton Robinette of Harlan, KY, and James Grant Robinette of Harlan, KY; one great-grandson, Damon Robinette.

He requested a simple graveside service at the family cemetery in Fairview, VA, near the home he grew up in. Rev. Brandon Pugh and Kenneth Neely officiating.

Before going to the family cemetery, Anderson-Laws and Jones Funeral Home will make welcome all his friends to come by Thursday, June 20th from 9 AM – 11 AM before the body is taken to Virginia.

Visitation will be at the former Fairview School in Fairview, VA on Thursday, June 20th from 1 PM – 3 PM and services will follow at 3 PM at the former Fairview School

We appreciate all the kindness of the members of Harlan Baptist Church where Frank had been a member for many years. Our thanks go out to neighbors in Catron Valley and to all those who visited Frank when he was at The Community Living Center in Mountain Home, TN.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the Kitchen Fund of the Harlan Baptist Church, PO Box 883, Harlan, KY 40831 in memory of Frank or Fairview Community Center, Fairview Road, Duffield, VA 24244 or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be given at www.aljfh.com or www.harlanobits.net.

SMITH

Alonzo B “LB” Smith age 70 of Stanfield KY, passed away June 17, 2013. He was born January 13, 1943 in Harlan County, KY to the late Byrd and Effie (Hall) Smith. He was a coal miner/construction worker and believed in the Holiness Faith.

Besides his father and mother, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Janny and Leroy Smith, and his wife, Frances Smith.

Left to mourn is passing is his children Donna Downs (Mitchell) of Wallins, Ky and Tinna Anderson (Herman) of Stanfield KY; brother Danny Smith of Dayhoit, Ky; sisters Colleen Smith of Graysknob , Ky, Helen Bennett of Morristown, TN, Kilia Irvin of Smith Ky, Henritta (Booties) Inman of Harlan Ky; grandchildren: Michella (Rod) of Corbin Ky, Crystal (John), Anthony Anderson, Katinna Anderson. Great Grandchildren: Lexi, Issac, Travis, Ray, and Dylan. Nephews: Don Irvin, Larry Irvin, Freddy Farmer, John Inman, Jeff Smith . Special friend Elizabeth Carmichael of Stanfield Ky.

Visitation will be at the Church of the True Temples of God, Fairview, KY starting on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 5PM. Visitation will continue until the funeral. Funeral will be Friday, June 21, 2013 at 2PM at the church with Rev. Robert Keith officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Harlan County Memorial Gardens with friends and family serving as pallbearers.

Online condolences can be left at www.harlanonline.net.

Mount Pleasant Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

NAPIER

Charles Fred “C.F.” Napier of Smith, KY passed away June 18, 2013 at Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN following a long illness. He was born March 13, 1936 at Smith, KY to the late Fred and Martha Napier. He retired from General Motors and believed in the Pentecostal faith.

Besides his parents he is preceded in death by his son, Elmon Fred Napier, his brothers, Albert Buster Napier and Billy Napier, sister, Sarah Emily Davis, and sister in law, Louanne Napier.

Left to mourn his passing are his children: Charles J. Napier and wife, Samantha, of Smith, KY, Charlene Penley and huband, Stan, of Pennington Gap, VA, Claudine Napier Hale and husband, Jack, of Gray’s Knob, KY, Lorraine Roach (Kenny Wilder) of Ewing, VA, brother John Chester Napier of Cranks, KY, Mildred Daniels and husband, Clyde, of Smith, KY, and Mary Edith Poe and husband, Tom, of North Carolina, and Sally Jones and husband, Tommy, of Pathfork, KY, sisters in law, Katherine and Bonnie Napier and brother in law, Melvin Davis.

Visitation will be Wednesday June 19, 2013 at Spencer Burkhart’s Church, Smith, KY starting at 12PM. Visitation will continue until the funeral hour which will be Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 1PM at the church with Reverends Jerry Collins and Spencer Burkhart officiating. Burial will follow at the Hensley Cemetery, Smith, KY. Pallbearers will be Gilbert Hensley, Freddy Napier, Tyler Daniels, Billy Penely, Kevin Jump, and Clyde Daniels.

Online condolences can be left at www.harlanonbits.net.

Mount Pleasant Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.