Harlan County’s historic state run comes to end in the KHSAA State Championship

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WYMT) - Harlan County’s special season continued for one more game where they met with Lyon County in the Boys’ State Championship game.

Fans were not disappointed in a game where University of Kentucky commit, Travis Perry, faced off against the University of South Carolina commit, Trent Noah.

A physical start that saw both teams evened at 10 early on was quickly taken over by Lyon County, who went on to win 67 to 58.

Maddox Huff opened the scoring for the game with a triple after both teams combined for five missed shots and three turnovers in the first two minutes.

A Caleb Johnson layup gave the Black Bears an early 5-0 lead that energized the Harlan County faithful, filling Rupp Arena with Black Bear pride.

Mr. Basketball, Travis Perry, got the Lyons on the board with a three-pointer.

After both teams traded missed shots, Perry found Jack Reddick beyond the arc who gave Lyon County their first lead of the game.

A Perry Jumper extended the Lyons’ lead before Noah evened the score with a three that tied Chris Lofton for the most 3-pointers in the Sweet-16.

Both teams traded baskets to even the score at 10 with a little less than two minutes left in the first quarter.

Perry’s two 3-pointers and a Reddick lay-in to end the quarter gave the Lyons an 18-10 lead.

Harlan County opened the second quarter with a quick 4-0 run before the Lyons scored the next 10 points unanswered to take a 28-14 lead.

Maddox Huff drilled three 3-pointers to help bring the Black Bears back to a six-point deficit heading into the half, trailing 36-30.

A slow start for both teams opened the second half but after the Lyons connected on two free throws, Noah drilled a three to set the record for most 3-pointers made in the Sweet-16.

The Black Bears erased the 14-point second-quarter deficit to even it at 40.

Both teams traded buckets down the stretch to end the quarter, but a Noah jumper evened it at 45 heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter saw a number of lead changes as Lyon County held a four-point lead with five minutes to play.

Turnovers started to plague the Black Bears as Perry took advantage, notching his 25th point to give the Lyons a 56-50 lead with less than four minutes to play.

After taking a five-point lead with less than two minutes to play, the Lyons’s trips to the charity stripe helped pull away from the Black Bears.

A couple of late attempts from the Black Bears to spark another comeback fell short as Lyon County won the state championship, 67-58.

After the game Harlan County talked about playing in the championship game:

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