LEXINGTON — North Laurel capped off regular season play in fine fashion on Friday, defeating one of the top teams in the 11th Region, Henry Clay, 60-45.
The Lady Jaguars ran their win streak to six games, and improved to a 13th Region-best 24-5 overall.
“We did a good job tonight of going on the road and playing winning basketball,” North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan said. “We were focused and had a complete team effort on both sides of the ball tonight.”
Junior Brooke Nichelson showed why she’s considered one of the best players in the 13th Region by turning in a 27-point scoring effort while hitting two 3-pointers. Chloe McKnight added 12 points while Jaelyn Black and Haley Combs each scored eight points apiece Mariella Clay took turned in a five-point scoring effort.
The Lady Jaguars shot 18-of-42 from the floor, and 18-of-25 from the free-throw line.
“Brooke had a terrific game and set the tone for us — 27 points, nine rebounds, five blocks and three steals, shows just how locked in she was tonight,” he added. “Henry Clay was very physical with Chloe McKnight and double and triple teamed her but not only did she fight through and continue to score but she did a great job facilitating, too. It’s what opened up Jaelyn Black and Gracie McKnight so much and got them going. Haley Combs was extremely efficient with nine points on 3-for-4 shooting and six assists. She is great point guard for our team and her unselfishness alway shows. Mariella Claybrook didn’t score as much as she did last night but still showed why she has D1 offers as just a freshman. We didn’t let up tonight and I am proud of that. Henry Clay is a very talented team and made a good run in the fourth to cut the lead but we were always able to counter to get the win.”
McKnight and Combs added five points apiece in the first quarter, allowing North Laurel to take a 17-11 lead into the second quarter.
Nichelson got hot and scored 10 points in the second frame while pushing the Lady Jaguars’ advantage to 29-17 at halftime.
North Laurel put the game way in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Blue Devils, 20-12, as Nichelson added eight more points and Black chipped in five points.
