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The return of senior forward Natalee King and a strong effort in the second half led to a 55-44 win by Harlan at Lee, Va., on Monday.

The Lady Dragons trailed by one at halftime. Eighth-grade point guard Ella Karst fired in 11 points as Harlan took 41-35 lead after three quarters.

King scored eight of her 12 points in the final period as the Lady Dragons escaped Virginia with their second victory of the season. Karst powered the Lady Dragons with a game-high 21 points

Harlan took a 9-7 advantage after one quarter. The Lady Generals got eight points from senior guard Philly Tolentino and six from freshman guard Drew Cox in the second quarter and led 25-24 at halftime.

“We struggled early,” said Harlan coach Tiffany Hamm. “I think just the effects of three games in four days, but I was proud of the effort, and the adjustments the players made in the second half.”

Tolentino led Lee with 16 points. Cox added 10 points.

“Ella really got us going offensively in the third quarter,” said Hamm. “Natalee carried us in the fourth quarter.”

Harlan (2-2) returns to action Dec. 17 at home agains district rival Bell County in the first game of a girls-boys doubleheader at 6 p.m. The Lady Dragons will host the E.R. “Doc” Gray Classic on Dec. 19-21. Harlan welcomes Barbourville, Jenkins and Claiborne (Tenn.) for the round-robin tournament.

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Lee claimed a 37-27 victory in the junior varsity game.

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HARLAN (55) — Ella Karst 21, Natalee King 12, Angel Wynn 8, Emma Owens 5, Kaylee Leslie 3, Aymanni Wynn 2, Alli Thompson 2, Abbi Fields 2.

LEE, VA. (44) — Philly Tolentino 16, Drew Cox 10, Kanda Quillen 8, Baylee Cox 7, Ally Bowen 2, Kattie Martin 1, Tate Cox 0, Madison Jessee 0.

Harlan…..9….15….17….15 — 55

Lee, Va….7….18….10……9 — 44