Basketball Game Preview: Harlan Green Dragons vs. South Laurel Cardinals

The Harlan Green Dragons will take on the South Laurel Cardinals at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. One thing working in Harlan's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last six games.

Harlan is headed into the contest having just suffered their biggest defeat since December 7, 2024 on Saturday. They were beaten by Knox Central 90-61. The Green Dragons haven't had much luck with the Panthers recently, as the team's come up short the last six times they've met.

Meanwhile, the third road match was the charm for South Laurel, as they earned their first road win of the season. They blew past Jackson County 60-39 on Thursday.

South Laurel found their leader in sophomore Maci Messer, who shot 4-for-5 from deep and dropped a double-double on 22 points and 12 boards. Messer has become a key player for South Laurel: the team is 6-2 when she posts at least eight boards, but 1-2 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Skeeter Mabe, who went 5 of 12 on her way to 10 points in addition to six boards and three steals.

South Laurel smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 20 offensive boards. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.

Harlan's loss dropped their record down to 6-5. As for South Laurel, their win bumped their record up to 7-4.

Harlan beat South Laurel 54-47 in their previous meeting back in March of 2017. Does Harlan have another victory up their sleeve, or will South Laurel turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.