APPALACHIA, VA. — The Harlan Green Dragons overcame a sluggish opening quarter to cruise to a 67-41 win over Rye Cove in the first round of the Coal Classic at Appalachia, Va. on Monday.

The Dragons stumbled out of the gate in their first after the Holiday break, scoring only 11 points during the first quarter against the winless Eagles.

“We played like we practiced. I don’t think we played much until about midway through the third quarter,” said Harlan coach Casey Lester.

With his starters playing with little intensity, Lester went to the bench for a spark. Senior guard Steven Couch provided a boost for the Dragons, scoring 11 of his 14 points in the second quarter and grabbing two rebounds.

“Steven has been a spark since he has been back. He just has to continue to give us a little bit of a lift when he comes into the game,” Lester said.

The Dragons’ defense limited Rye Cove (0-7) to only seven shots from the field in the second period, and forced the Eagles into 10 turnovers in the quarter.

Harlan led by only two late in the second quarter, but an Eagle turnover led to a basket by Couch.

Rye Cove guard Devin Wells answered with a basket of his own on the following possession to bring the Eagles back to within two. Wells scored eight of his team-high 13 points in the second quarter.

After forcing the Eagles into another turnover, Couch capitalized once again with a layup to put Harlan up by four. Couch then stole the inbounds pass and hit junior guard Phillip Ely for another layup as time expired to stretch the Dragons’ lead to 31-25 at the half.

Harlan continued its defensive pressure in the second half, holding the Eagles to 16 points in the final 16 minutes and forcing 13 turnovers in the half.

Although, the Dragons forced Rye Cove into 29 turnovers in the game, Lester said he wasn’t pleased with the way the Dragons played definsively.

“We forced them into 29 turnovers, but we did too much reaching. smacking and grabbing. Definsively, we didn’t do the things we were taught,” he said.

Rye Cove scored back to back baskets to close the third quarter and get within 11 points. However, the Eagles never got any closer, as Harlan held Rye Cove to only two field goals in the fourth quarter, ending the game on a 20-5 run.

Sophomore guard Chris Begley led Harlan with five points in the final quarter. Begley had 14 points in the game for the Green Dragons.

“You are pleased any time you can get a win, but we will have to play a lot better (against Coeburn) if we want to win that game,” Lester said.

Harlan will face Coeburn, Va. in the tournament semifinals tonight at 8:30 p.m. Rye Cove will face Thomas Walker, Va. today at 5:30 p.m.

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RYE COVE, VA. (0-7)

Zach Maness 2-10 4-4 9, Devon Wells 5-8 2-4 13, Chase Rollins 3-4 2-5 8, Hunter McMahan 3-6 1-2 7, Ryan Petelle 1-3 0-0 2, Matthew Smith 1-6 0-0 2, Isaac Hammonds 0-0 0-0 0, Daniel Giles 0-0 0-0 0, Cody Lester 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-37 9-15 41.

HARLAN (3-5)

Ty Saragas 2-6 0-0 5, Philip Ely 4-15 0-0 8, Chris Begley 6-13 2-4 14, Brandon Taylor 2-5 4-5 8, Tyler Grubbs 2-6 2-2 6, Steven Couch 6-7 2-3 14, Zach Chitwood 0-1 0-0 0, Tony Spurlock 2-5 0-0 5, Michael Sizemore 0-1 0-0 0, Aaron Hampton 0-2 0-0 0, Eric Hampton 0-1 0-0 0, Cody Logan 2-2 0-0 4, Ryan Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Tyler Baltimore 1-1 0-0 3. Totals: 27-65 10-14 67.

Rye Cove 11 14 11 5 — 41

Harlan 11 20 16 20 — 67

3-point goals: Rye Cove 2-6 (Wells 1-1, Maness 1-3, McMahan 0-1, Smith 0-1), Harlan 3-14 (Saragas 1-1, Baltimore 1-1, Spurlock 1-2, Taylor 0-1, Couch 0-1 Aaron Hampton 0-2, Ely 0-3, Begley 0-3). Rebounds: Rye Cove 21 (Wells, Smith 6), Harlan 36 (Taylor 8). Turnovers: Rye Cove 29, Harlan 20. Fouled out: None.