HINDMAN — Eddie Mahan’s North Laurel Lady Jaguars will advance to their second consecutive WYMT Classic Girls’ championship game Saturday night after outlasting 13th Region foe Knox Central, 50-40, Saturday morning.
The Lady Jaguars did just enough to get the chance to face-off against defending WYMT Mountain Classic champion Corbin for the second year in a row. The Lady Redhounds defeated Jackson County earlier this morning, 74-47.
Brooke Nichelson led the Lady Jaguars (4-0) with 13 points while Chloe McKnight added 12 points, and Mariella Claybrook finished with 10 points.
Knox Central (3-1), who was without leading scorer, and leading rebounder, Halle Collins, was led in scoring by Zoey Hamilton, who finished with 11 points. Teammate Hannah Melton added 10 points in the loss.
Both teams struggled from the free-throw line during the contest with North Laurel connecting on 10-of-19 free throw attempts while the Lady Panthers were 7-of-22.
Nichelson scored four points in the first quarter, helping the Lady Jaguars secure an early 10-5 lead. Haley Combs added all four of her points in the second quarter while Gracie McKnight hit a 3-pointer to help push North Laurel’s lead to 24-16.
The Lady Jaguars’ lead grew to 40-28 heading into the fourth quarter after Nichelson added five more points while Gracie McKnight hit another 3-pointer during the third quarter.
Knox Central attempted to rally in the fourth quarter as Melton and Kelsie Smith each scored four points apiece while Timberly Frederick hit a 3-pointer helping the Lady Panthers outscore North Laurel, 12-10, during the final eight minutes.
