[UKFan8]

Interesting matchup for the 3rd time this season. In baseball terms, I guess you could say this is the "rubber match" so to speak, with Harlan Co. winning Game 1 in the Candy Cane Classic down at South Laurel and Harlan winning the district contest at Harlan Co.

I would have to give Harlan Co. the slight edge this time around simply because Harlan has been struggling and they couldn't get in sync offensively at Bell Co. on Monday. However, playing at home in their biggest game in the last ten years, I expect Harlan to play much better than they did at Bell Co.

The current district standings in the 52nd District are:

Harlan 4-1
Harlan Co. 3-2
Bell Co. 3-2
Middlesboro 0-5

Thus, if Harlan wins at home tonight, they get the #1 seed and win the regular season title outright. However, if Harlan Co. wins, that will tie them with Harlan and possibly Bell Co. as well if Bell beats Middlesboro on Friday (which is likely). In that case, there will be a draw for the #1 seed between all three teams at the district meeting and who knows what would happen at that point.

That being said, I do feel that the district will come down to that draw as I feel Harlan missed a golden opportunity to claim the district down at Bell Co. on Monday and they fall at home to Harlan Co. 53-47.

Should be a great game and a great atmosphere!!!