CORBIN — Heartbreaking losses the last two years, to Harlan County in the semifinals in 2017 and Corbin in the finals in 2018, have made the South Laurel Cardinals even hungrier in their quest for a 13th Region title in 2019, and the Harlan Green Dragons were unable to keep up Tuesday in the first round of the regional tournament at The Arena in Corbin.

South (28-3) shot a blazing 75 percent (15 of 20) in the first half in building a 14-point halftime lead on the way to a 80-58 victory.

“Their goal is getting to Rupp (Arena), not just getting here. They were locked in and shot the ball very well,” Harlan coach Derrick Akal said. “I hate to laugh, but what are you going to do?”

Junior guard Matthew Cromer was one of three Cardinals in double figures with 21 points. Senior center Matthew Dalton and senior guard J.J Ramey added 16 points each as South improved to 28-3 going into Friday’s semifinal matchup against North Laurel.

Jordan Akal, the Dragons’ standout freshman guard, cemented his case as one of the region’’s top players with a 26-point performance against South.

“He was a little gimpy coming into the game (from an ankle injury suffered in the 52nd District finals), but I thought he played real well at times,” said the Harlan coach.

Ramey helped spark the Cardinals in racing to an 8-2 lead as Harlan struggled to keep up with the pace set South’s torrid shooting. Brett Norvell and Ramey hit 3-pointers as the lead grew to 24-11 lead after one quarter.

A Ramey trey and Dalton basket pushed the Cards’ lead to 34-15 three minutes into the second quarter. Akal did his best to keep Harlan in the game, scoring 13 of the Dragons’ 17 points in the second quarter. He scored seven of the final nine points of the half, closing with a 3-pointer, as the Dragons cut the deficit to 42-28 at the break.

Two 3-pointers by Dalton pushed the lead to 50-28 early in third quarter and it stayed between 23 and 20 through much of the period. The Cardinals led 63-42 going into the final period.

For Harlan, the game marked the end of the high school career for six seniors, including three starters. The Dragons have made it to the regional for three straight years for the first time since an eight-run year from 1993 to 2000. Akal started the fourth quarter with his seniors in the game together, allowing them to exit to applause from the Harlan cheering section.

“Everyone but one team will be disappointed when the season ends, but I told those guys how proud I am of them,” Akal said. “To win 20 games for the first time in 19 years, after winning only six games last year, was a big accomplishment.”

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North Laurel 58, Barbourville 50

After trailing through much of the first three quarters, North Laurel turned the game with its press and survived a first-round upset bid to earn a spot in Friday’s semifinals.

Barbourville turned the ball over 23 times, helping North overcome the Tigers’ 39-13 advantage on the boards.

Eighth-grade guard Reed Sheppard led the 23-11 Jaguars with 14 points. Isaiah Alexander and Adam Sizemore contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Senior forward Jacob Helton poured in 23 points to lead the 21-11 Tigers. Junior guard Shawn vaughn added 14 points.

Barbourville built a 12-10 lead after one quarter and a 23-19 advantage at halftime by dominating the boards, outrebounding the Jaguars 19-3.

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North Laurel (58) — Adam Sizemore 10, Reed Sheppard 14, Isiaah Alexander 13, Cole Kelley 9, Landon Young 7, Nathanie Bruner 0, Isiah Elmore 5.

Barbourville (50) — J.D. McVey 4, Shawn Vaughn 14, Matthew Gray 3, Jacob Helton 23, Connor Bain 6, Dylan Bingham 0, Dakota Tye 0.

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South Laurel 80, Harlan 58

HARLAN (20-13)

Jordan Akal 10-19 5-8 26, Cade Barnes 2-9 2-4 6, Jared Hawkins 2-5 0-0 5, Kilian Ledford 3-12 5-6 11, Jon Eldridge 2-2 2-4 6, Kaleb McLendon 0-2 0-0 0, Jaedyn Gist 1-1 0-0 2, Carter Barnes 0-1 0-0 0, Caleb Adkins 1-3 0-0 2, Tate Bryson 0-1 0-0 0, Charles David Morton 0-1 0-0 0, Johann Gist 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-56 14-22 58.

SOUTH LAUREL (28-3)

Matthew Cromer 6-12 7-8 21, Alex Hostetler 0-2 1-4 1, Brett Norvell 3-8 2-2 9, J.J. Ramey 6-8 2-5 16, Matthew Dalton 6-7 2-3 16, Peyton Parker 0-1 0-0 0, Landon Wombles 3-3 0-0 6, Micah Anders 2-3 1-2 7, Jace Bowling 0-0 2-2 2, Rhys England 0-1 0-0 0, Brayden Reed 1-1 0-0 2, Weslyn Wright 0-2 0-0 0, Zach Allen 0-1 0-0 0, Brady Hibbits 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 27-50 17-26 80.

Harlan 11 17 14 16 — 58

South Laurel 24 18 21 17 — 80

3-point goals: Harlan 2-18 (Hawkins 1-4, Akal 1-6, McLendon 0-1, Morton 0-1, Cade Barnes 0-2, Ledford 0-4), South Laurel 9-17 (Ramey 2-2, Anders 2-2, Dalton 2-3, Cromer 2-5, Norvell 1-3, Hostetler 0-1, Hibbits 0-1). Rebounds: Harlan 24 (Eldridge 6, Akal 4, Ledford 4, Hawkins 3, Cade Barnes 2, Jaedyn Gist 2, McLendon 1, Adkins 1, Bryson 1), South Laurel 33 (Ramey 10, Dalton 7, Norvell 7, Cromer 3, Anders 1, Parker 1, Wombles 1, Breeding 1, Reed 1, England 1). Turnovers: Harlan 6, South Laurel 11. Fouled out: None.