Demonstrating a level of grit they rarely found last year in a 6-20 campaign, the Harlan Green Dragons showed plenty of promise for the upcoming season with an easier than expected 82-55 rout of visiting Williamsburg on Tuesday in the Southeastern Kentucky Conference Panorama.

Harlan lost at Wiliamsburg in last year’s panorama and also fell to the Jackets in the first round of the 13th Region All “A” Classic, but this year’s Dragons never trailed in the scrimmage.

Kilian Ledford and Jordan Akal teamed for 41 points to lead the Dragons. Ledford found success from outside as he scored 23 and Akal continually penetrated the Williamsburg defense for 18 points while playing a strong floor game and leading the Harlan defense. Junior forward Jon Eldridge added 10 points despite early foul trouble.

Williamsburg, which had four starters still playing football until last Friday, was still rusty and was without senior center Hunter Brown, due to an injury suffered in the loss to Pikeville. Slaht Hunter scored 14 points and Caleb Rose added 11 for the Jackets.

Akal and Ledford each hit 3-pointers in the opening three minutes as Harlan grabbed an 8-2 lead. Two straight baskets by Ponder and one by Caleb Rose cut the deficit to 14-11 after one period.

A basket by Carter Barnes started a 10-0 run to open the second quarter. Akal hit two free throws and Ledford followed with consecutive treys for a 24-11 lead. Williamsburg got as close as 11 on four straight points by Rose before baskets by Cade Barnes and Akal extended the Dragons’ advantage to 40-26 by halftime.

Williamsburg battled back to within seven as Rose hit a 3-pointer followed by a basket from Hunter and and two free throws by Larry Bray. Ledford and Eldridge had baskets as Harlan regained control. A basket by Jaeden Gist and 3-pointer by Kaleb McLendon pushed the Dragons’ lead to 60-40 after three quarters.

The Dragons continued to pull away in the fourth quarter as Eldridge hit a 3-pointer and Caleb Adkins completed a three-point play for a 74-48 lead. Charles David Morton hit a late 3-pointer and Johann Gist and Noah Lewis connected on free throws.

Harlan opens its regular season schedule Monday with a district game at Bell County. Williamsburg will play host to Red Bird on Dec. 1.

———

HARLAN (82) — Jordan Akal 18, Kilian Ledford 23, Jon Eldridge 10, Cade Barnes 7, Kade McLendon 3, Carter Barnes 6, Jaedyn Gist 2, Johann Gist 3, Caleb Adkins 5, Noah Lewis 1, Charles David Morton 4.

WILLIAMSBURG (55) — Slaht Hunter 14, Caleb Rose 11, Dalton Ponder 8, Tate Fields 2, Larry Bray 5, Devonte Powell 4, Gavon Thomas 4, Conner Lay 2, Chase Potter 3, Ashton Walters 2.