LONDON — Despite seeing his team get off to a slow start to the season while playing one of the toughest skates in the 13th Region, coach Nate Valentine never hit the panic button.
He continued to say his team was improving while liking what he was seeing out of his young team, who graduated its top two leading scorers from last season.
The patience is paying off.
Case in point — the Jaguars’ 73-69 victory over Clay County.
North Laurel (5-9) jumped out to a 7-0 lead, withstood the Tigers’ best punches, eventually recording its eighth consecutive win over Clay County.
The loss dropped Clay County to 8-6 after the Tigers got off to a 7-2 start to begin the season.
Senior Brody Brock took charge, leading North Laurel with 26 points, which included scoring 12 points in the third quarter while finishing with three 3-pointers.
Kole Jervis was clutch at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, connecting on all six of his shot attempts. He added 18 points while Reece Davidson finished with 14 points. Jordan Rawlings also scored in double figures with 10 points while hitting three 3-pointers.
Hayden Harris turned in a 17-point scoring effort for Clay County while Adon Grubb added 13 points, and Tate Rice finished with 10 points.
