LEXINGTON — Two of the hottest teams in the state will face-off against each other when 13th Region champion North Laurel (29-5) faces off against 11th Region champion Franklin County (29-6).
The Lady Jaguars (.68455 RPI Rating) enter Wednesday’s contest against the Lady Flyers (.65891) with an 11-game win streak while Franklin County has reeled off 16 consecutive wins.
North Laurel will be making its third trip to the Sweet 16, and has made it to the quarterfinals in 2019, and 2023.
Despite his team’s success, North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan acknowledged his team has its hands full.
“Franklin County is well-coached and very talented team,” he said. “They are also one team who well not be intimidated by our bigger lineup we can put in. If anything, they are one of the teams in the state that is bigger than us. They can win with pace and a uptempo style or be very deliberate on offense. They have as much versatility and depth as any team we have played this season.
“Coach (Joey) Thacker is a veteran coach who knows how to win and will have his team prepared,” he added. “What makes them so hard to prepare for is the numerous defenses they can run and the versatility on offense they have. It’s a lot to prepare for in a short amount of time and the whirlwind that happens after winning a region. They have had a great season. That great season has been even better as of late as they are in a 16 game winning streak.”
Mahan said the keys to success are simple for his team — play to their strengths, and take advantage of their outside shooting.
“As for us, we just have to stick to the strengths of our team,” he said. “We have to utilize our outside shooting with the multiple zones and junk defenses they might throw at us.”
Mahan also acknowledged that even though his team has played at Rupp Arena the past few years, it doesn’t automatically make his players relax.
“Nothing is like playing at Rupp Arena at the state tournament,” he said. “I have coached 25 years at both the college and high school levels and I am still in awe when we go to Rupp Arena to play.”
Franklin County is a balanced team with seven players averaging over six points per game.
Leia Hogan leads the Lady Flyers with a 11.2 scoring average while Juliana Frazee is pulling down 6.5 rebounds per game.
“One matchup up to keep and eye on is the matchup of two of the best posts in the state with Chloe McKnight and Franklin County’s Julianna Frazee,” Mahan said. “The success of both of our teams might just be decided by who wins that matchup.”
