Derrick Akal wanted to test his young team early in the 2017-2018 season. He found a perfect place to do that at Bobby Keith Gymnasium in Clay County.

Harlan (0-1) trailed by only one point going into the final period Tuesday before a strong fourth quarter by freshman Conner Robinson, who scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the period, led the Tigers to a 75-67 victory.

“Overall, I’m happy with our effort on both ends,” Akal said. “We still have a long way to go, so we just have to focus on the process and not the result.”

Zach Bingham and Ryan Rogers added 11 points each for the Tigers. Timmy Bowling scored 10.

Harlan (0-1) placed all five starters in double figures, led by sophomore guard Jacob Wilson with 13 points. Jon Eldridge scored 12. Cade Barnes and Kilian Ledford tossed in 11 each. Jordan Akal scored 10.

The Green Dragons stayed close by hitting 13 3-pointers, led by Ledford with three and Barnes, Wilson and Eldridge with two each.

All five starters hit one 3-pointer each in the first quarter as the Dragons took a 17-15 lead.

Clay outscored the Dragons 23-11 in the second quarter, led by Bingham and Rogers, to go up 38-28 at halftime.

With Wilson scoring eight points and Barnes adding six, Harlan won the third quarter 20-11 and pulled within one point.

Harlan returns to action Saturday at Shelby Valley.

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Clay County rolled to a 67-27 win in the junior varsity game as Raven Abner scored 17, Wayne Estep tossed in 12 and Hunter Henson contributed 10 for the Tigers.

Michael Couch scored 17 points to lead Harlan (0-1). Trey Barnes added seven. Eric Fitzpatrick chipped in with three.

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HARLAN (0-1)

Jordan Akal 4 0-0 10, Cade Barnes 4 1-2 11, Jacob Wilson 3 5-5 13, Kilian Ledford 3 2-2 11, Jon Eldridge 5 0-0 12, Carter Barnes 0 0-0 0, Jared Hawkins 0 2-2 2, Tate Bryson 1 0-0 3, Caleb Adkins 0 0-0 0, Tyler Carmical 1 0-0 3, Austin Adams 1 0-0 2. Totals: 22 10-11 67.

CLAY COUNTY (1-0)

Conner Robinson 9 5-9 24, Jacob Begley 0 1-2 1, Timmy Bowling 4 1-2 10, Zach Bingham 5 0-4 11, Ryan Rogers 3 5-6 11, Conner Farmer 4 0-0 9. Kenyan Combs 4 0-0 8. Totals: 29 12-23 75.

Harlan 17 11 20 19 — 67

Clay County 15 23 11 26 — 75

3-point goals: Harlan 13 (Ledford 3, Cade Barnes 2, Akal 2, Wilson 2, Eldridge 2, Bryson 1, Carmical 1), Clay County 4 (Robinson 1, Bowling 1, Bingham 1, Farmer 1).