[TheProfessor33]

Congratulations to Coach Davis and South Laurel. Coach Akal has done a tremendous job for Harlan and they have a bright future. South won all the previous meetings with South Laurel by double digits so Akal and his team were more prepared for this one and it showed. Great learning experience for next year.

I’m not dismissing the fact that SL was dealing with several of their players battling the flu, including Cromer. I think a healthy South squad does win that game by double digits again. The talent level at Harlan has been better the last few years, so to say that Akal did a tremendous job is an overstatement. They finished 13-17 this season and lost several tight games because he basically rolls it out and does not adjust. A lot of the local fans are really disappointed in watching him continue the same mistakes game after game, year after year. Just a few weeks ago, they basically lost the same way to Harlan County. They lead by 14 with about a minute left in the third, and lost because he just sits back and watches his guys fire up threes. They took a couple late in last nights game they had no business taking...that’s on him. It’s hard to believe that you have several guards that are good ball handlers and you can’t protect a 10 point lead with a few minutes left. Disappointing season, if you ask me.