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Eighth-grade guard/forward Aymanni Wynn started her first high school basketball game on Friday and powered the Harlan Lady Dragons with 13 points in the E.R. “Doc” Gray Classic.

Harlan (4-3) claimed a 51-49 victory over Jenkins and will try to win their tournament on Saturday against Barbourville at 7:30 p.m.

The contest wasn’t decided until the fourth quarter. The game was tied at 28 entering the period and tied 37 with 4:31 to play.

Wynn nailed a 3-pointer at the 3:56 mark and Angel Wynn added a basket as Harlan led by five. A layup by Jerrica Thacker with 2:02 remaining pulled Jenkins within 44-43.

The Lady Dragons connected on seven of 12 free throws in the final two minutes to claim their third straight win.

“Tonight was our most disciplined and balanced four quarters that we have played this season,” said Harlan coach Tiffany Hamm. “After a little lackluster performance in the win Thursday, we bounced back with a much more concerted effort to take care of the ball and secure the defensive boards.

Besides, Wynn’s 13-point effort, Harlan got nine points each from Natalee King and Alli Thompson. The Lady Dragons were outrebounded 39-36. Thompson had nine boards to lead the team. King grabbed eight, while Wynn pulled down dix.

“Aymanni is skilled and has a great feel for the game,” added Hamm. “Now that she has gotten some games in, you’re seeing her true skill set shine through.”

Thacker scored a game-high 22 points for Jenkins. Lindsey Rose contributed 11 points. Dameron Meade grabbed 14 rebounds and had six points for the Lady Cavaliers.

Although Wynn and Ella Karst each had three pointers and King added a three-point play to open the game with a 9-2 lead, Jenkins closed the first quarter with an 11-9 advantage.

The Lady Dragons outscored Jenkins 15-12 in the second quarter and led 24-23 at halftime.

The third period saw both teams combine for nine points. Harlan missed 16 of 18 shots from the field in the quarter.

” I expect (Saturday’s ) game to be competitive,” Hamm said of Barbourville. “They played well tonight (against Claiborne, Tenn.), and their size can really bother teams.

“Three games in three days is tough conditioning-wise, so we will see how both teams handle that tomorrow. I like my team’s grit, so I anticipate a great effort.”

In Saturday’s first game, Claiborne (Tenn.) will face Jenkins at 6 p.m.

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Senior guard Abigail Smith fired in 29 points as Barbourville downed Claiborne (Tenn.) 62-49.

Bri Thacker tossed in 16 points for the 4-5 Lady Tigers. Laura Smith scored 13.

Kelseyville Munsey and Taylor Pressnell paced the 6-6 Lady Bulldogs with 10 points apiece. Hailey Sexton added nine points and Macie Sumner had eight.

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Harlan 51, Jenkins 49

JENKINS (2-5)

Cadence Firth 2-2 0-0 5, Lindsey Rose 4-14 2-4 11, Jerrica Thacker 8-25 3-5 22, Skye Brown 1-40-0 2, Hallie Fleming 0-0 0-0 0, Alyssa Fields 0-0 0-0 0, Alexis Richie 1-4 1-2 3, Makala Stambaugh 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-54 6-13 49.

HARLAN (4-3)

Emma Owens 0-6 2-7 2, Ella Karst 2-9 2-2 7, Aymanni Wynn 5-12 1-4 13, Natalee King 3-10 3-6 9, Alli Thompson 3-7 3-6 9, Angel Wynn 2-9 4-4 8, Peighton Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Kaylee Leslie 1-2 1-3 3. Totals: 16-55 16-32 51.

Jenkins 11. 12. 5. 21 — 49

Harlan 9. 15. 4. 23 — 51

3-pointer goals: Jenkins 5-14 (Thacker 3-11, Firth 1-1, Rose 1-2), Harlan 3-18 (Aymanni Wynn 2-8, Karst 1-5, Angie Wynn 0-2, Owens 0-3). Rebounds: Jenkins 39 (Meade 14), Harlan 36 (Thompson 9, King 8, Aymanni Wynn 6, Karst 4, Angel Wynn 3, Jones 2, Owens 2, Lewis 2). Assists: Jenkins 7 (Rose, Thacker 3), Harlan 6 (Thompson 3). Turnovers: Jenkins 16, Harlan 11. Fouled out: Jenkins (Brown, Rose, Fleming, Firth).