[Stardust]

The youngest player on the floor was the coolest down the stretch Monday as eighth-grade guard Brooklyn Massingill took over in the fourth quarter and powered Harlan County to a 46-38 victory over visiting Corbin.

Massingill turned in 13 of her game-high 19 points in the final period to help hold off the Lady Hounds.

“I don’t even look at her as being an eighth-grader. Brooklyn has a nice shot and is playing with so much more confidence now,” said Harlan County coach Anthony Nolan.

After a 3-pointer from Corbin’s Kayla Wilson tied the game to open the fourth quarter, Massingill answered with a trey on the opposite end to give Harlan County a 31-28 lead.

Massingill later hit another 3-pointer to break a tie and put the Lady Bears 39-36 with 1:45 left in the game. She then drained five-of-six free throw attempts the rest of the way as Harlan County pulled away.

“Corbin is a gutty team, and we knew we would have to grind it out. Their guard play is really good, and they make you have to work,” Nolan said. “It was an ugly win, but I will take an ugly win against a good team.”

The Lady Bears fell behind early as Corbin hit five of seven shots in the first quarter. Karlie Blackburn had the opening basket and closed with a 3-pointer to lead the Lady Redhounds with five points in the period.

Massingill had a layup and a free throw for all three of Harlan County's points in the first quarter as the Lady Bears trailed by eight.

“We got the shots we wanted in the first quarter, but we were never finishing the plays off. We were our own worst enemy,” Nolan said.

Senior Miranda Davenport opened the second quarter with a pair of treys to pull Harlan County to within two. Blackburn responded with a 3-pointer of her own for the Lady Hounds to push the lead to five. After a basket from senior Kalee Carroll, junior Sarah Evans scored Harlan County's final five points in the period. The Lady Hounds were limited to just seven points in the second, but managed to take an 18-16 advantage into the half.

The teams traded baskets to open the second half before Davenport hit a 3-pointer to give Harlan County a lead with 6:25 left in the third quarter. The teams were tied at 25 when Massingill drained a trey from the left corner as time expired to give the Lady Bears a lead heading into the final period.

“They are playing really good together and looking for each other. But, we are only doing it in spurts. We have to put together for four quarters,” Nolan said.

Harlan County (18-6) returns to action Wednesday as it hosts Lee, Va. in a doubleheader. Corbin (14-10) will travel to Clay County on Saturday.

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Lauren Lee recorded 14 points and Rachel Carmical added 10 to lift Harlan County to a 38-28 victory in the junior varsity contest.

Read more: The Harlan Daily Enterprise - Massingill leads Lady Bears past Corbin

[Stardust]

HARLAN COUNTY (46) — Miranda Davenport 10, Brooklyn Massingill 19, Kaitlyn Stittums 7, Kalee Carroll 4, Sarah Evans 6, Bella Noe 0, Keisha Mimes 0, Shannon Shackleford 0, Lauren Lee 0, Shauntae Lewis 0.

CORBIN (38) — Miranda Wilson 8, Kayla Wilson 12, Sarah Ashley 6, Karlie Blackburn 10, Holli Disney 0, Mallory Wood 2, Brooklyn Ashurst 0, Kristen Fothergill 0, Lindsey Barton 0.

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HARLAN COUNTY (38) — Lauren Lee 14, Rachel Carmical 10, Shannon Shackleford 2, Bella Noe 4, Melissa Stewart 4.

CORBIN (28) — Brooklyn Ashurst 6, Melanie Wilson 11, Natalye Gallagher 11.

Read more: The Harlan Daily Enterprise - Massingill leads Lady Bears past Corbin

[Stardust]

[Image: http://assets.matchbin.com/sites/507/ass...Corbin.gif]

[Stardust]

[Image: http://assets.matchbin.com/sites/507/ass...Corbin.gif]