Although Harlan and Williamsburg usually face off only once a year, their game Saturday night at Williamsburg had everything normally found in a cross town rivalry: hard fouls, heckling fans, angry coaches and a nail-biting finish.

After all the excitement was over it was Williamsburg who held off a Harlan comeback attempt to win 60-56.

Harlan faced adversity from the opening minutes, after Williamsburg scored the game's first six points. Standout center Kendra Latham picked up her second foul after only three minutes of action. Harlan battled back behind 3-pointers from Brooke Parker and Crystal Fields to end the first period trailing 13-11.

Latham re-entered the game shortly after the second quarter began, but after playing less than a minute she picked up her third foul. With Latham sitting, Williamsburg took control of the game.

Play was becoming increasingly physical when Williamsburg guard Jennifer Shelley apparently threw an elbow toward Fields, who was closely guarding her at the time, but the foul was called on Fields, drawing complains from Harlan fans and coaches.

With the wild atmosphere surrounding the floor and physical play on it, Williamsburg forward Tasha Roberts remained calm, scoring off of quick drives to the basket and outside jump shot. She scored 14 points in the half to lead the Lady Jackets to a 31-22 advantage.

Roberts came out just as hot in the second half. She drained back-to-back trey and scored on a couple drives to the baskets, as she put in 10 points in the third, again carrying the Lady Jackets.

"She didn't hurt us too bad in the All "A." We were just wanting to contest her shot a little bit, but she got hot," said Harlan coach Chuck Mitchell.

Latham's foul troubles continued in the second half. With 3:26 left in the third quarter, she picked up her fourth foul. Chassidy Lawson did play well in her absence as the eighth-grader gave the Lady Dragons some much needed interior offense. But late in the third period, Harlan was down by as many as 18 points until Parker got loose for a pair of 3-pointers to conclude the quarter.

Desperation forced Harlan to play with a new-found intensity in the game's final frame. Mitchell also alternated between full-court and three quarter-court pressure. The defense became Harlan's best offense of the night.

Rhonda Curtis and Fields both got layups off of steals as Harlan battled back.

Harlan cut the lead to two with a Parker 3-pointer. After a quick foul, Shelley hit both free throws to set up the final score.

Harlan was led by Parker with 23 points. Latham added nine points and 12 rebounds.

Roberts poured in 25 points to lead Williamsburg. Jennifer Shelley had 10.

Harlan (12-7) will host Clay County on Thursday. Williamsburg (12-8) will travel to Corbin on Tuesday.

Harlan won the junior varsity game 25-23 behind Courtney Bell and Chassidy Lawson, who scored 11 and eight points, respectively.

Charlene McMillan added six for Harlan (6-7).

Williamsburg was led by Kelly Bryant with nine points.

Bell County rolled to a 25-12 victory over Harlan in junior varsity action Friday.

Ashley Frady poured in 16 points to lead Bell.

Harlan was led by McMillen with five points. Alexandria Allison scored three, and Misty Belcher and Belinda Patton each added two.

HARLAN (12-7)

Crystal Fields 2-8 3-6 8, Brooke Parker 7-18 4-4 23, Britany Jones 0-3 0-4 0, Rhonda Curtis 4-7 0-0 8, Kendra Latham 2-12 5-8 9, Caroline Huff 0-2 0-0 0, Chassidy Lawson 2-3 2-3 6, Courtney Bell 0-2 2-4 2, Charlene McMillan 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-57 16-29 56.

WILLIAMSBURG (12-8)

Tasha Roberts 9-19 4-6 25, Jennifer Shelley 3-12 4-5 10, Savannah Ruth 2-8 1-2 5, Brenda Woods 1-3 3-4 5, Cara Rains 3-6 0-2 7, Beth Gibbs 3-5 1-4 7, Julia Apple 0-0 1-2 1, Kelly Bryant 0-0 0-0 0, Chelsey Karr 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 21-54 14-25 60.

Harlan 11 11 16 18 56

Williamsburg 13 18 21 8 60

3-point goals: Harlan 6-11 (Parker 5-8, Fields 1-2, Huff 0-1), Williamsburg 4-7 (Roberts 3-6, Rains 1-1). Rebounds: Harlan 33 (Latham 12), Williamsburg 27 (Shelley 9). Assists: Harlan 9 (Fields 4), Williamsburg 7 (Rains 2). Turnovers: Harlan 14, Williamsburg 15. Fouled out: Harlan (Fields), Williamsburg (Woods)