Spurlock, Cole team for 49 as Bears win

Published 2:45 pm Saturday, December 7, 2019

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The Harlan County Black Bears moved to 2-0 on the young season with an 83-71 victory over Perry County Central on Friday night in Hazard.

The Bears found plenty of offense in the matchup, placing four players in double figures led by senior guard Taylor Spurlock’s 29 points. Junior guard Tyler Cole added 20, eighth-grade guard Trent Noah had 16, and sophomore guard Jackson Huff had 13.

Perry Central, a 14th Region favorite to win their region, was led by junior guard Dawson Duff’s 18 points.

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HCHS dominated the Commodores (1-1) on the glass, outrebounding Perry 43-18. Noah had 13 rebounds and Cole had 10.

Harlan County got off to a quick start behind senior guard Jacob Wilson back-to-back baskets to take a 4-0 lead and forcing Perry to call a timeout. At the end of the first, the Bears held a 21-12 advantage.

In the second quarter, though, the Bears saw their double-digit lead shrink to a three-point lead at 38-35 as Harlan County encountered some foul trouble and quick turnovers. Perry won the quarter 23-17.

But in the third frame, HCHS stabilized themselves, outscoring the ‘Dores 21-20 to take a 59-55 lead into the final quarter.

In the fourth, PCC was forced to foul the Bears in an attempt to stop the clock, and the Bears responded by hitting their free throws to push the lead back to double figures and go on to the victory.

The Bears continue their tough opening-week schedule Saturday night, visiting 13th Region favorite North Laurel as part of the Legacy Nissan Classic. The tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Harlan County (2-0) — Spurlock 11-15 6-10 29, Noah 3-9 10-13 16, Cole 7-17 5-6 20, Huff 5-10 1-2 13, Wilson 2-7 1-2 5, Turner 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 28-59 23-33 83.

Harlan County — 21 17 21 24 83

Perry Central — 12 23 20 15 71