The Harlan Lady Green Dragons’ fifth- and sixth-grade team traveled to Middlesboro on Wednesday to take on the Middlesboro Lady Jackets at West End gymnasium. The Lady Jackets downed the Lady Green Dragons 23-15.

“At this point in their development, the game is about getting better fundamentally as well as getting used to playing as a team,” said Middlesboro coach Jodi Brown. “At this age, you see a lot of teams who will have one player that they have doing everything.

“I’m trying to teach these girls how to be more effective as a team instead of individuals. Practice helps them get better at their individual skills, which helps them come together better as a team. But, I want them to make smart passes, take smart shots and other things that rely on your teammates. Overall, I’m very proud of these girls and how fast they’re learning the game.”

The Lady Jackets jumped out to a quick 11-0 lead in the first quarter on three baskets from Morgan Martin, two from Trinity Derossett and a free throw from Trinity Partin.

Middlesboro held Harlan scoreless in the first period. In the second period, the Lady Dragons managed three points on a bucket and a free throw but were outscored 6-3 in the quarter by the Lady Jackets giving them a 17-3 lead at the half.

Harlan began to come back in the second half, holding Middlesboro to just one basket in the third quarter. The Lady Dragons brought the score to within 10, at 19-9 heading into the final period.

Although the Lady Jackets were outscored 6-4 in the final period, they held on to secure a 23-15 victory over the Lady Dragons in their first game of the season.

“I’m really pleased with the way we played today,” said Brown. “Once we have a little more experience under our belt and we start doing some of the crucial things that are necessary to win games, we will be a hard team to beat. We are starting to play better as a team already. These girls work hard and do well at practice. I’m very pleased with how they played tonight.”