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By Paul Lunsford
Contributing writer

The Harlan County Black Bears improved to 2-0 on the young season by rolling past home standing Martin County 65-47 on Thursday.

Tyler Cole powered the Black Bears with 23 points. Freshman guard Trent Noah scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

The Cardinals dropped to 0-2 on the season.

Junior guard Brady Dingess led Martin County, the defending 15th Region Champions, with 20 points.

Harlan County took a 16-2 advantage after one quarter.

The Bears got five straight baskets by Cole in the second period allowing the lead to grow to 35-18 at halftime.

Noah knocked down three jumpers and Cole scored twice as HC took a 52-30 cushion into the final quarter.

Martin County outscored the Bears 17-13 in the fourth period.

“I’m really proud of them,” said Harlan County coach Michael Jones. “The game plan was to make them guard us off the dribble. Once we started attacking, we shot a bunch of layups.”

The Bears committed only six turnovers.

“We had 15 turnovers at Barren County, and we cut it in half tonight,” Jones said. “We’re growing up on the road, and I like that about this bunch.”

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Freshman forward Ethan Rhymer scored 11 points and sophomore guard Jeremiah Clem added 10 as Harlan County won 39-36 in the junior varsity game.

Tristan Cooper contributed eight for the Bears. Jared Rhymer had six points while Caleb Johnson and Samuel Henson scored two each.

Martin County got 12 points from Matt Linville.