HYDEN — The Harlan Green Dragons improved to 5-0 against the 14th Region with an 84-74 victory Monday at Leslie County.

Trailing 60-58 entering the fourth quarter, the Dragons used a 14-4 run to open the period and never looked back.

“We got some stops and got to the free throw line to give us the lead,” said Harlan coach Derrick Akal. “I thought we could’ve done better at the free throw line in the fourth quarter.”

Harlan hit 11 of 18 free throws in the final period and finished the game by hitting 21 of 31 at the line.

Senior guards Jared Hawkins and Kilian Ledford scored 30 and 25 points, respectively, for the Green Dragons. Jordan Akal followed with 12 points. Jon Eldridge added 11.

Sophomore guard Trent Day powered the Eagles with 29 points. Wyatt Hensley, an eighth-grade guard, fired in 21 points. Alex Farler scored 13.

“Leslie County came to play tonight,” said Akal. “They gave a good effort.”

The game was tied four times in the first quarter. A basket by Hawkins and free throws by Akal and Eldridge gave Harlan an 18-13 advantage after eight minutes.

Eldridge picked up his third foul early in the second quarter, but the Dragons used a 12-4 run to take a 13-point lead at the 5:33 mark.

The Eagles scored nine straight points but Harlan remained ahead — 30-26 — with four minutes left.

Day scored seven points and Hensley added five as Leslie County pulled within 41-40 at the break.

A 3-pointer by Ledford made it 46-43, but the Eagles responded with an 8-2 spurt as Day scored five, giving Leslie a 51-48 edge.

The game was tied at 53 and 58 before a basket by Farler put Leslie up by two after three quarters.

Ledford scored eight points in the fourth quarter while Hawkins had six and Eldridge and Akal added five apiece.

Harlan (16-9) must prepare for two key district games this week. The Green Dragons will host Bell County tonight in the second game of a girls/boys doubleheader and play host to Middlesboro on Saturday.

Leslie County (6-15) is home against Oneida Baptist on Wednesday and travels to Hazard on Friday.

——-

Charles David Morton exploded 35 points as Harlan (2-10) defeated the Eagles 67-64 in the junior varsity game.

JohannGist scored 10 points. Kaleb McClendon and John Mark Bryson added six each. Jaedyn Gist had five while Carl Pacholewski tossed in three. Noah Lewis added two.

Jason Baker paced Leslie County with 20 points. John Hoskins followed with 13 and Cameron Bradford had 11.

———

Harlan 84, Leslie Co. 74

HARLAN (16-9)

Jordan Akal 2-6 8-11 12, Jared Hawkins 11-16 4-5 30, Kilian Ledford 9-16 3-8 25, Cade Barnes 0-2 1-2 1, John Eldridge 4-8 2-2 11, Jaedyn Gist 1-1 1-1 3, Kaleb McClendon 0-2 2-2 2. Totals: 27-51 9-24 84.

LESLIE COUNTY (6-15)

Alex Farler 5-14 3-4 13, Wyatt Hensley 8-15 2-7 21, Trent Day 11-21 4-6 29, Trent Asher 0-2 1-2 1, Randall Brock 4-10 0-0 8, Jason Baker 0-2 2-3 2, Derek Baker 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 28-64 12-22 74.

Harlan 18 23 17 26 — 84

Leslie County 13 27 20 14 — 74

3-Point goals: Harlan 9-20 (Hawkins 4-6, Ledford 4-10, Eldridge 1-4), Leslie County 6-19 (Hensley 3-6, Day 3-6, Brock 0-2, Farler 0-5). Rebounds: Harlan 27 (Akal 7, Eldridge 6, Hawkins 4, Ledford 4, Gist 3, McClendon 2, Barnes 1), Leslie County 27 (Asher 7, Brock 6, Day 5, J. Baker 5, Farler 3, Hensley 1). Assists: Harlan 10 (Akal 3, Hawkins 3, Barnes 3), Leslie County 8 (Farler 5), Turnovers: Harlan 14, Leslie County 13. Fouled out: Leslie County (Asher, J. Baker).