JOHN MIDDLETON

Sports Editor

WHITESBURG – Harlan County’s second quarter performance at Letcher Central is likely one the Lady Bears will soon try to forget. Harlan County was unable to hit a shot from the field in the second period and fell 47-41 at Letcher Central on Saturday.

Brooklyn Massingill and Kaitlyn Stittums each drained a 3-pointer in the first quarter as Harlan County took a 10-7 lead. Sarah Evans opened the game with a putback off of an offensive rebound and Bella Noe closed the period with a bucket as the Lady Bears never trailed in the opening period.

Harlan County was unable to generate anything offensively in the second quarter, as Letcher Central built a double-digit advantage. The Lady Bears missed all 12 of their field goals in the period and fell behind by 12 at the break. Freshman Brooklyn Massingill had a free throw early in the period to close the gap to one, but Letcher closed the half on an 11-0 run to take a 23-11 lead.

Sarah Evans did her best to give Harlan County a chance in the third quarter. The senior center had nine points and three rebounds in the period as the Lady Bears reduced the deficit to single-digits. Harlan County trailed by just eight late in the period, but Julie Cornett closed the with a layup with 11 seconds left to push the lead to 35-25.

Evans had 12 points and 12 rebounds in another stellar outing.

Harlan County closed the gap throughout the fourth quarter. Lauren Lee drained a trey with 3:06 remaining to pull the Lady Bears to within five. However, the Lady Cougars never allowed Harlan County to get within one possession. A 3-pointer by Massingill made it a four-point game with 19 seconds left, but Keisha Collins and Kelah Eldridge each hit a free throw down the stretch to hold off the Lady Bears.

Massingill had 10 of her team-high 15 points in the fourth quarter to power the comeback bid.

Harlan County (18-2) returns to action Tuesday at home against McCreary Central. Letcher Central (13-5) will host Breathitt County on Friday.

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Harlan County fell 27-7 in the junior varsity contest. Bridgette Bennett’s three points paced the Lady Bears. Lauren Smith and Chasity Stewart each added a pair of points.

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Letcher Central (47) – Kelah Eldridge 15, Cheyenne Stidham 2, Julie Cornett 13, Vannah Breeding 4, Keisha Collins 11, Courtney Brock 0, Kristin Bentley 2.

Harlan County (41) – Kaitlyn Stittums 3, Broklyn Massingill 15, Lauren Lee 5,Madison Cornett 2, Sarah Evans 12, Keisha Mimes 0, Bella Noe 4, Kaitlin Evans 0.