Spurlock sparks Bears in win over Knox
Published 1:50 pm Sunday, June 9, 2019
<p>John Henson | Harlan Enterprise</p> <p>Harlan coach Derrick Akal talked with his Green Dragons during a break in the action at the Lincoln Memorial University Team Camp last week. The Dragons lost seven of eight, including several in the final seconds, as they rebuild following the loss of six seniors. Harlan’s starting lineup in the summer features four sophomores and a senior.</p>
<p>Kim Henson | Harlan Enterprise</p> <p>Harlan County junior forward Josh Turner is pictured in action earlier this summer. Turner had four points and led the Bears in rebounds in their 58-40 victory Saturday over Knox Central.</p>
<p>John Henson | Harlan Enterprise</p> <p>Harlan County guard Taylor Spurlock went up for two of his 15 points against Sequoyah, Tenn., on Saturday at LMU. Spurlock scored 26 points to lead the Bears over Knox Central 58-40 in the second scrimmage Saturday.</p>
HARROGATE, TENN. — Trailing by two at halftime Saturday in the Lincoln Memorial University Team Camp, the Harlan County Black Bears reeled off 16 unanswered points to take control on the way to a 58-40 win over defending 13th Region champ Knox Central.
Senior guard Taylor Spurlock sparked the run with nine straight points on the way to a 26-point performance. Eighth-grade guard Trent Noah added 10 as HCHS improved to 13-4 for the summer. Jackson Huff and Jacob Wilson scored eight points each. Josh Turner added four. Tyler Cole scored two.
Harlan County grabbed an early 15-8 lead before Central rallied behind junior forward Jevonte Turner to go up 26-24 at halftime.
The second half was dominated by the Bears, especially Spurlock. Turner provided a spark on the boards, leading to several second shots. Huff added a pair of 3-pointers, while Noah, Spurlock and Wilson hit one each in the second half.
Harlan County fell 57-54 to Sequoyah, Tenn., in its opening game Saturday.
The Bears hit seven 3-pointers in building a 37-25 halftime lead but went through a long stretch without scoring in the second half. The Bears reclaimed the lead late in the scrimmage, but Sequoyah scored the final five points as HCHS failed to execute on a couple of key possessions in the final seconds.
Noah, Spurlock and Cole scored 15 each for the Bears. Wilson, Huff and Turner added three each.
The Bears return to action Tuesday at home before heading to Lexington for the KBC State Tournament on Thursday.
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Harlan was unable to hang on to early leads in falling to a pair of Tennessee opponents on Saturday. The Dragons lost 73-59 to Sequoyah and 57-48 to Pigeon Forge.
Harlan trailed by only two in the second half before Sequoyah reeled off nine straight points to take control.
Jordan Akal scored 20 points to lead the Dragons. Kaleb McLendon added 15 on five 3-pointers. Jaedyn Gist chipped in with 12 points. Jon Eldridge added six. Johann Gist and Charles David Morton scored three each.
Akal also led the Dragons against Pigeon Forge with 25 points, including four 3-pointers. Eldridge added eight. McLendon tossed in six, followed by Jaeden Gist with five and Johann Gist with four.
Harlan (1-7) will play Monday and Tuesday in a team camp at Barbourville High School, then travel to Lexington for the KBC tourney from Thursday through Sunday.
