JOHN MIDDLETON
Sports Editor
The Harlan County Black Bears turned in their second rout of a district foe in as many outings Thursday with a 73-40 victory over Harlan.
Harlan County took control with a rebounding clinic in the first quarter. The Bears missed 10 shots in the period, but more than made up for that with seven offensive rebounds as they jumped out to a 24-12 lead. After a free throw from Harlan’s Dylan McNiel opened the scoring, Chad Massingill put the Bears up with a basket on the opposite end. Massingill had seven points in the opening quarter, and Harlan County never gave back the lead from that point.
Harlan’s David Allen and Harlan County’s Tyler Miller traded baskets in the second quarter. Allen had 10 of his team-high 12 points in the period, but the Bears extended their lead to 14 points thanks in part to eight points from Miller. Miller and senior Tyler Brewer each had 17 points to lead four Bears in double-figures.
“What we want to do is keep correcting things. I thought we had a little lull where we stood and shot there in the second quarter, instead of going to the offensive boards. But, I thought the kids played really hard overall,” said Harlan County coach Mike Jones. “Our execution, offensively, was a little better than it was the other night, but it has to be much better.”
Alex Sergent caught fire in the third quarter turning in nine of his 13 points.The senior guard’s final basket of the period pushed the Bears’ lead to 57-33. Sergent added a pair of rebounds, as the Bears dominated the glass. Harlan County outrebounded the Dragons 32-12 in the contest, with 15 coming on the offensive end.
“We went to the boards really good at the first of the game. Of course we had to because we couldn’t make one. But, we had that spurt where we didn’t,” Jones said.
Harlan County continued to pull away in the final period. This time is was Brewer who led the way. The point guard recorded five points in the fourth as the Bears cruised to the win.
“We have a lot of things to work on. But, it isn’t anything that I didn’t know going in. We take the good with the bad and pat them on the back, because they have a very good basketball team,” said Harlan coach David Parks. “Maybe in a year or two the worm will turn. Who knows.”
The Green Dragons rotated several players at the point, but still turned the ball over 23 times.
“We were trying to keep Brewer and those kids off the ball. We were just trying to take advantage of the best matchup for us. Those kids have a hard time — they’re not used to being there,” Parks said.
Harlan County (19-4) will return to action today at home against Perry Central. The game is scheduled to be televised live WYMT. Harlan (7-15) will travel to Barbourville.
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Harlan County (73) — Tyler Brewer 17, Alex Sergent 13, Chad Massingill 9, Aaron Caldwell 10, Tyler Miller 17, Zach Caldwell 2, James Bond 4, Fred Massey 0, Cody Bumgardner 0, Trey Sanders 1, Kolby Vanover 0.
Harlan (40) — Caleb Hogue 6, Dylan McNiel 4, Isaiah Johnson 2, Manny Davis 2, Aaron Simpson 0, Drew Parks 7, Nathan Young 5, David Allen 12, Dakota Morris 0, Leighton Piper 2, Tanner Morris 0, Andrew Varney 0.
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