Dragons down Scott County, Fern Creek in scrimmages

Published 1:45 am Sunday, June 16, 2019

LEXINGTON — Harlan knocked off two state tournament teams from 2019 in only one day at the Mack, Miller and Lofton Tournament on Saturday at the Kentucky Basketball Commission. The Dragons edged Scott County 76-75 in double-overtime to close pool play and then opened tournament competition with a 78-71 victory over Fern Creek.

Sophomore guard Jordan Akal poured in 31 points against Fern Creek, including eight 3-pointers. Jaedyn Gist, also a sophomore guard, added 21 points. Senior center Jon Eldridge chipped in with 14 points and had a big night on the boards. Kaleb McLendon added seven, followed by Charles David Morton with three and Johann Gist with two.

Fern Creek took a 38-37 halftime lead despite Akal and Jaedyn Gist each scoring in double figures.

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Akal took over in the second half, hitting 3-pointers on consecutive possessions as the Dragons quickly stretched their lead to seven and then continued to pull away.

Led by 47 points from Akal, Harlan knocked off Scott County. Jaedyn Gist and Johann Gist each scored eight. McLendon and Eldridge added seven and six points, respectively.

Scott grabbed a quick 12-0 lead before Akal found the range from the 3-point line and Harlan fought back to within four, at 33-29, at halftime.

Harlan took an eight-point lead in the second half behind Akal’s 23 points, but Scott fought back and had a chance to win in regulation. The game was tied at 66 at the end of regulation and 69 after one overtime. Eldridge had two baskets in the second overtime as the Dragons won even though Akal and Eldridge each fouled out in the two-minute extra period.

With coach Derrick Akal resting his starters for the second half, the Dragons fell 58-32 to Woodford County in the final game of pool play.

Senior guard Charles David Morton led the Dragons with nine points. Johann Gist scored six, followed by Akal with five, Eldridge with four, John Mark Bryson with three, Jaedyn Gist and Kaleb McLendon with two each and Kyler McLendon with one.

Harlan (8-10) will continue tournament play on Sunday, taking on Mason County at 10 a.m.