LONDON — The defending 13th Region champion North Laurel Lady Jaguars picked up where they left off last season by dominating another 13th Region opponent during Tuesday’s Legacy Nissan Classic.
The Lady Jaguars (1-0) received a dominating effort from senior Chloe McKnight, who scored 34 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, during North Laurel’s 74-43 win over the region’s fifth ranked team, Bell County.
McKnight scored early and often in the win, tossing in nine points in the first quarter while adding 13 points in the second quarter, and six points in both the third and fourth quarters.
Brooke Nichelson added 10 points while Gracie McKnight and Mariella Claybrook each scored seven points apiece. Emma Carl came off the bench and added six points.
“Bell County is a very good team with one of the best coaches in the region,” North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan said. “They also are one of the few teams who can match our size in the region. That’s why I am so proud of my team tonight. It’s just game one and we have a lot to get better at but I thought we came out and played with purpose tonight.
“Chloe McKnight is a dominate post when she is focused like she was tonight and she had played like that all preseason,” he added. “I believe she is understanding what we expect out of her this season. What I also loved seeing though was just how unselfish these girls are this year. Not one player on the court was concerned about anything other than the win and with Chloe working so hard, they were happy to keep playing off of her. I still believe we have a long way to go and I know we will have some learning situations still coming at us in December and January but this team has a tremendous amount of potential.”
The Lady Jaguars built a 20-9 lead in the first quarter and led 41-17 at halftime before outscoring the Lady Bobcats, 34-26, in the second half.
Gracie Jo Wilder and Lauren McGeorge led the Lady Bobcats (0-1) with 17 points apiece.
“Foul trouble was a big issue for both teams and our depth which I was a little concerned with showed up and played well,” Mahan said. “Thirteen players played and I felt all of them contributed during their time.”
