In a game that may have matched the 13th Region’s top sophomore in Clay County’s Conner Robinson against the top freshman in Harlan’s Jordan Akal, it was Clay County and Robinson pulling away in the second half for an 82-63 victory to close the regular season.

Robinson poured in 37 points to lead the Tigers, including 11 in the third quarter as Clay broke open a close game by outscoring Harlan 24-14. Junior guard Jacob Curry added 16 points for the 22-6 Tigers. Raven Abner tossed in 13 and Evan Langdon contributed 10.

Jared Hawkins, a senior guard, led the 19-11 Dragons with 23 points. Akal scored 21 points and Kilian Ledford added 15.

Clay outscored the Dragons 22-21 in the first quarter and 18-17 in the second to take a two-point halftime lead before taking control in the third quarter.

Harlan will return to action Tuesday against Bell County in the 52nd District Tournament. Clay County will play the North Laurel-Red Bird winner on Wednesday in the 49th District Tournament at North Laurel.

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Freshman guard Kaleb McLendon scored 18 points to lead Harlan to a 40-31 win in junior varsity action.

Jaeden Gist added six points for the 4-10 Dragons. Carl Pacholewski and Trey Barnes scored five each. Johann Gist added four. Noah Lewis tossed in two.

Colby Sams led Clay County with 15 points. Nathan Collins scored eight. Austin Lewis tossed in five.

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HARLAN (19-11)

Jordan Akal 6 7-11 21, Cade Barnes 1 0-0 2, Jared Hawkins 9 1-2 23, Kilian Ledford 6 0-2 15, Jon Eldridge 1 0-0 2, Jaeden Gist 0 0-0 0, Kaleb McLendon 0 0-0 0, Caleb Adkins 0 0-0 0, Tate Bryson 0 0-0 0, Trey Barnes 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 8-15 63.

CLAY COUNTY (22-6)

Jacob Curry 5 3-3 16, Raven Abner 5 0-0 13, Connoer Robinson 16 3-6 37, Justin Begley 1 0-1 0, Evan Langdon 4 2-4 10, Tae Farmer 3 0-0 6, Colby Sams 0 0-0 0. Totals: 33 8-14 82.

Harlan 21. 17. 14. 11. — 63

Clay County. 22. 18. 24. 18. — 82

3-point goals: Harlan 9 (Hawkins 4, Ledford 3, Akal 2), Clay County 8 (Curry 3, Abner 3, Robinson 2).