Saturday’s “Crestline Scores & Events”
The Harlan County Black Bears learned their path through the 13th Region Tournament on Friday, and it will likely prove to be a tough test for the 52nd District champions. Harlan County (26-9) will open the tournament against 49th District runner-up Clay County (18-17) at 10 a.m. on Monday. The Black Bears defeated Clay County by three runs in both meetings during the regular season. However, the Tigers are the only 13th Region team this season to defeat favorite South Laurel. If the Black Bears advance past their opening round contest, they will likely meet defending champion South Laurel (24-6). The 50th District champion Cardinals were 12-1 against 13th Region foes during the regular season, including a 9-1 win at Harlan County in April. The Black Bears faced South Laurel in the opening round of the regional tournament last season — falling 5-4 in a tightly contested game.
The Cardinals will face 51st District runner-up Pineville (10-17) in their tournament opener Monday at 1 p.m. The Mountain Lions edged Barbourville 6-5 in the first round of their district tournament and fell to Knox Central 4-0 in the championship.
49th District champion North Laurel (21-11) will face Corbin (19-7) in the first game in the bottom half of the bracket at 4 p.m. The Jaguars are led by arguably the region’s top player in University of Kentucky commit Marcus Carson. The two teams met twice during the regular season with North winning low-scoring contests on both occasions.
52nd District runner-up Middlesboro (21-11) will close the first round against 51st District champ Knox Central (18-18) at 7 p.m. The Yellow Jackets fell to Knox 5-4 in the Billy Joe Idol Memorial Tournament in the only meeting between the two teams this season.
The 13th Region semifinals are set for Tuesday at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., with the championship scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. All games will be played at Knox Central High School.
Harlan County followed up a summer-opening win Thursday over Whitley County by splitting two games Friday at Prestonsburg. The Bears fell 62-50 to defending 15th Region champ Johnson Central. Tyler Miller led the Bears with 20 points. Treyce Spurlock and Zach Caldwell added 14 and 11 points, respectively. Cameron Carmical scored three. Cody Bumgardner added two.
Fred Massey scored 16 and Caldwell added 14 as HCHS rolled past Prestonsburg 59-27. Spurlock and Bumgardner each scored eight and Carmical added seven. Trey Sanders scored five. Miller contributed two.
Harlan County defeated Johnson Central 34-28 in junior varsity action, following up a win on Thursday against Whitley County.
(Information for Scores & Events courtesy of Saturday, May 25th Harlan Daily Enterprise and HarlanCountySports.com)