Redhounds fall to Harlan Co. in 13th Region finals

The Corbin Redhounds jumped out to an early lead against Harlan County in Monday night’s 13th Region championship game at the Corbin Arena, but in the end the Black Bears punched their tickets to Rupp Arena with a 62-48 win.

Head Coach Tony Pietrowski’s Hounds looked good in the early stages of the game, building up a 12-5 lead by the end of the first quarter. Corbin extended their lead to 16-7 in the second before the Bears began sinking some baskets of their own. With just 45 second left in the first half, Harlan County’s Maddox Huff hit a huge three-pointer that tied the game up, 25-25. That was followed by Brody Napier laying in a buzzer beater just before the horn to give the Black Bears the 27-25 advantage at the break.

Harlan County continued to build their lead in the third quarter, eventually going up 43-34. Corbin senior Zander Curry scored five quick points at the start of the fourth quarter to bring the Hounds back within striking distance, 43-39, but Harlan County would quickly halt their momentum and regain control of the contest en route to their eventual 62-48 region championship victory.

With the loss, Corbin wraps their season up with a 23-9 overall record, including a 50th District championship title and a 13th Region runner-up title. Senior Carter Stewart led the team with 13 points in Monday’s season finale, followed by Curry with 11 points, Ryder Akins with 7 points, senior Trey Worley with 6 points, Eli Pietrowski with 5 points and Evan Taylor and Lucas Brittain both finishing with three points.