LONDON — North Laurel got a much-needed win during Thursday’s 49th District matchup against Oneida Baptist.
The Jaguars entered the game winless at 0-5 but picked up win No. 1 behind the play of Jordan Rawlings, who connected with nine 3-pointers while scoring a career-high 27 points during North Laurel’s 87-41 win.
Rawlings’ nine 3-pointers rank second-all time in 13th Region history with former North Laurel Jaguar Clay Sizemore, who also hit nine 3-pointers, trailing only former Middlesboro star Stuart Miller’s 12 he hit against Clayton County way back on February 13, 2003.
The 87-point output turned out to be the Jaguars’ most in a game this season.
Reece Davidson added 22 points while Brody Brock hit three 3-pointers, and scored 12 points. Brock surpassed the 1,000-point club just last week. Joe Smith connected with two 3-pointers, finishing with 10 points.
“We shared the ball extremely well tonight,” North Laurel coach Nate Valentine said. “These guys are working extremely hard and I’m happy they got to reap some of the rewards tonight. We just have to keep working and improving each day.”
North Laurel’s defensive play, limited Mountaineers’ leading scorer, Canaan Tyree, to 17 points while Skyler Roberts and Jason Erhunmwynse each added 10 points apiece.
Rawlings hit four 3-pointers and scored 12 points in the first quarter while Davidson added 13 points to help North Laurel build a 29-14 lead.
Rawlings added two more 3-pointers in the second quarter while Smith scored eight points to help the Jaguars’ advantage grow to 49-22 at halftime.
Brock added three 3-pointers in the third quarter while Rawlings knocked down another to give North Laurel a 74-37 lead with eight minutes remaining.
Rawlings put the finishing touches on his 27-point campaign with two more 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
