HINDMAN — Two of the 13th Region’s top teams will battle things out Saturday morning in semifinal action of the WYMT Mountain Classic Girls’ Tournament when North Laurel tips-off at noon against Knox Central.
Both teams enter the game unbeaten with both teams boasting identical 3-0 records.
The game will also showcase some of the best players in the region as well.
Knox Central’s Halle Collins is the reigning 13th Region Player of the Year, and preseason No. 1 ranked player. She recorded 29 double-doubles last season, and is averaging 29.7 points per game, and 18.7 rebounds per game.
North Laurel’s Brooke Nichelson entered the season as the No. 2 ranked player in the region after turning in a stellar sophomore campaign while helping guide the Lady Jaguars to the 13th Region championship.
Nichelson is coming off a 42-point effort against previously unbeaten Martin County, which also included her knocking down nine 3-pointers. Nichelson’s 42 points, and nine 3-pointers were both WYMT Mountain Classic Girls’ Tournament records. She is averaging 26.3 points per game, and 8.0 rebounds per game.
But those aren’t the only players that have helped get both Knox Central and North Laurel to where they currently are.
The Lady Panthers also possess sharpshooter Timberly Frederick, who is averaging 8.7 points per game along with teammate McKenzie Hensley. Frederick leads the team with eight 3-pointers this season. Sydney Hurst averages 6.0 points per game followed by Jaylynn Fain (5.7), Hannah Melton (3.3), Kelsie Smith (2.3), Zoey Hamilton (0.7), and Maggie Gibson (0.3).
Fain is second on the team with a 5.3 rebounding average while Melton (4.7), and Hensley (3.0) follows.
Knox Central enters the game averaging 65.3 points per game while allowing 46.6 points per game.
The Lady Jaguars’ cupboard is full as well.
North Laurel is coming off a 92-55 win o er Martin County that saw the Lady Jaguars hit a state record 21 3-pointers.
Chloe McKnight is averaging 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Haley Combs is averaging 7.7 points per game along with a 5.7 rebounding average. Mariella Claybrook is a solid defender, who is averaging 5.7 points per game while leading the team with a 9.3 rebounding average.
Gracie McKnight averages 5.3 points per game while Emma Carl (3.3), Jaelyn Black (3.0), Hannah Jackson (3.0), Eden Begley (3.0), Bella Brown (1.5), and Abby Hubbard (1.3) follow.
Nichelson leads the team with 12 made 3-pointers while shooting a red-hot 12-of-21 from 3-point range. Combs is almost perfect shooting behind the arc, knocking down 4-of-5 shot attempts from long range.
North Laurel enters the game with a 74-point scoring average while allowing 46 points per game.
