HARLAN ROARS TO QUARTERS: Black Bears eliminate defending state champs Warren Central

Photo by Nico Pascarella: Harlan County senior Trent Noah fires up a three-point attempt during the Black Bears' victory over Warren Central in the KHSAA UK Healthcare Boys' Sweet 16 on Thursday.

LEXINGTON - For the Harlan County Black Bears, Thursday morning was a chance they have been waiting for since 2017, a chance to play on the court of Rupp Arena in the KHSAA UK Healthcare Boys' Sweet 16. With superstar senior Trent Noah playing his final stretch of high school basketball, it comes to the surprise of no one that the Bears were ready to play against the defending state champions in the Warren Central Dragons.

After a dominant showing last season, this was not the same Warren Central team however, as they graduated seven seniors and were dealing with numerous injuries this season. Still, they came into the game on fire after winning four of their last five on the way to a region title.

It was all Harlan early as they came out shooting from the get-go. However, the Dragons refused to go away and made a game out of it due to the stellar play of WKU commit Kade Unseld. At the end though, it was too much of Noah, as the South Carolina commit scored over 30 points and took control of the game in the third and fourth quarters, leading the Black Bears to a 67-59 win over Warren Central.

Harlan got out to a double digit lead due to some early hot shooting from Noah and junior guard Maddox Huff. Warren Central came roaring back after Unseld scored their first seven points of the second quarter, although the Bears were still on top at the half.

It was a close affair for most of the third quarter, till again the duo of Noah and Huff caught fire from beyond. That lead gave them the confidence they needed to pull ahead with a healthy lead in the fourth, with Noah sealing the deal with a few free throws along with a three-pointer that seemed to scream "give me the ball this game is over!" The game was soon, indeed, over as Harlan County celebrated the victory over Warren Central, putting the Black Bears into the quarterfinals and ending the season of the defending state champions while also ending the great career of Kade Unseld, with the Dragons' season concluding with a record of 17-12.

Harlan County moves on to Friday's quarterfinal round, where they await the winner of Newport and Campbell County.