[JagSwag]

Final Score, closer than most thought!

[UKCC]

South had this game won.

[JagSwag]

South had this game won.

They were in control until the last 4 min.

[Oldtiger]

Wow I figured Harlan would cruise in this one, score indicated an ugly game or some serious lock down D from both sides.

[UKCC]

I actually had South playing this game somewhat close. Did not think they would lead by I think 11 at one point.

[RunItUpTheGut]

I was so close to calling a South victory but just couldnt do it.

Talk about crazy if South would have won after the mboro win.
South is a talented team, especially with Sanders, who they did not have the first time these two played.

Im still going with Clay to win it all.

[LeeCoUKFan]

Congrats Black Bears!

[bear claw]

It is so GREAT to have the Region back in a high school gym. The atmosphere was electric. It actually felt like a basketball game not something you have to use a telescope just to see the players.

[bear claw]

Oh yeah, GREAT job Blackbears. Way to battle back!!!!!

[rojas]

First regional tournament win in Harlan County High School history. Historic game.

[AnswertheBell]

Is this their first region win?

[AnswertheBell]

I guess so. Congratulations HC

[Black Bear Cuz]

South had this game won.

they didn't HAVE anything won pal, it's never over till the gun sounds!!!

[Black Bear Cuz]

Even though the game was a little ugly, it was still a quality win for this HC bunch! SL turned out to be a formidable opponent and HC struggled at times, showed a lot of guts and heart coming back and taking the game from South.. A hard fought victory like this could be a huge mental boost and confidence builder for this group! Now they know they can win a region game!! Go get some more Bears!!!

[Warthog]

Big win Black Bears

[EKYBubbaWatson]

Actually SL did have HC beat amd kinda choked it up. Predicting NL will beat HC and it will be a CC-NL final again.

[Black Bear Cuz]

Actually SL did have HC beat amd kinda choked it up. Predicting NL will beat HC and it will be a CC-NL final again.

This is a bottom line business I do believe Bubba sir! If I was you I don't think I would bet the farm on the NL over HC prediction!!!

[Granny Bear]

This was the first of two GREAT games in the 13th Regional Tournament. I thought South Laurel played an excellent game plan, slowing the momentum from the start. I think it may have been a mistake trying to get the ball all the way to mid-court before calling a time out with only 3 seconds to go after Caldwell's made free throws. But, hindsight is always 20/20.

Congratulations Black Bears on your very first regional tournament win!!!!!

[EKYBubbaWatson]

Black Bear Cuz, I don't bet but if I did I'd go with NL. Congrats to HC on their first ever region win.

[LexBaller]

Congrats to the HC Bears, for the first region win.

[UKCC]

they didn't HAVE anything won pal, it's never over till the gun sounds!!!

Easy killer. Sounds like one fan base went nuts after getting a narrow win. Haha

[EKYBubbaWatson]

I remember when I had my first drink UKCC haha. Congrats to Ol' Mike for finally getting the job done.

[FIRST]

The Sanders kid and Baxter can play, South was better than most people would like to believe. Overall record was not good, but played several games without the Sanders kid this year. Congrats to Harlan Co., they showed a bunch of heart in this game.

[UKCC]

I remember when I had my first drink UKCC haha. Congrats to Ol' Mike for finally getting the job done.

I never quite could get up. Jammed on my nephew on a 8.5 ft. once. But lost the ball in the creek. Smh...

[YNWA]

I remember when I had my first drink UKCC haha. Congrats to Ol' Mike for finally getting the job done.

I think Mike Jones has had his share of success in tournaments.

[EKYBubbaWatson]

Not in a long time YNWA.

[LexBaller]

The Sanders kid and Baxter can play, South was better than most people would like to believe. Overall record was not good, but played several games without the Sanders kid this year. Congrats to Harlan Co., they showed a bunch of heart in this game.

Sanders was out all last year also! Hasn't played very many games in the last two years, maybe 20 out of 60-64 not sure total games thats including post season.

[Mountain pride 10]

I thought the Black Bears showed a lot of grit when they were down double digits in the 4th and went on an 8-0 run to get back in the game. My guy A. Caldwell was huge for coach Jones tonight, every night for that matter. This young man gets his dinner bucket each and every night an goes to WORK, there are several on this team and many other teams that would be well served to try an duplicate this kids effort. Good win , and good job!

[YNWA]

Not in a long time YNWA.

I understand that, but the whole Harlan County has never won in the regional tournament topic is misleading.
They failed to win in their first four regional tournaments, but you can argue that they were the favorites in only one of those games, and that was a slight favorite at best against Clay County last year.

2009 - Lost to eventual champion Corbin in the first round.
2010 - Lost to eventual runner-up North Laurel in the opening round. This could be viewed as an upset, but North also beat Harlan County by 10 late in the season.
2011 - A sophomore dominated team. Lost to eventual 13th Region champ Bell in the district and regional favorite Clay County by just one in the 13th Region. I would say this team overachieved.
2012 - Lost to Clay County. These were two of the top 3 teams in the region during the season. The real disappointment here was losing to Middlesboro in the district.

[Mountain]

Congrats to Coach Jones and his team.