GATLINBURG, TENN. — So far, so good for Nate Valentine’s North Laurel Jaguars.
The Jaguars improved to 6-1 while advancing to semifinal action of the Smoky Mountain Classic with a 68-48 win over Alabama’s Brooks High School.
“We got off to a slow start but I loved how our guys responded,” Valentine said. “We moved the ball really well and got in a good flow in the second quarter. We shot the ball really well because we made the extra pass and took great shots. Defensively, we did a really good job guarding their shooter after the initial start. We’ll have a quick turnaround against a really good opponent tomorrow.”
North Laurel was led in scoring by Reece Davidson’s 23-point scoring effort while Jordan Rawlings finished with 14 points while hitting four 3-pointers. Cam Anderson, Joe Smith, and Kole Jervis finished with six points apiece.
Davidson’s nine first-quarter points kept the Jaguars within reach as they trailed 18-12 at the end of the first quarter.
North Laurel hit seven 3-pointers in the second quarter while taking a 37-24 advantage at halftime.
Rawlings hit three 3-pointers during the period while Anderson and Jervis hit two 3-pointers apiece.
Davidson added nine points in the third quarter, pushing the Jaguars’ lead to 56-32 entering the fourth quarter.
