MANCHESTER — North Laurel and Clay County hooked up in another 49th District thriller with many lead changes and clutch shots throughout the contest.
The Jaguars battled back from a 34-23 deficit and led late in the fourth quarter before a key 3-pointer by Landon Dezarn tied the game at 57 apiece while sending it into overtime.
The Tigers took over from there, recording a 70-63 win as Dezarn and Aiden Wagers scored five points apiece in the extra period.
“We are obviously disappointed in the final result,” North Laurel coach Nate Valentine said. “That is the third game in a row we have had the lead late and gave up a shot in the last 10 seconds of the game. We must find a way go make a winning play late in the game. I really feel for our players — we have been in a great position to win and haven’t come up with a way to win. I still believe we have a really good basketball team and we will keep fighting to get things corrected.”
Dezarn led Clay County with 20 points while Wagers had 17 points and Grayson Hooker finished with five 3-pointers and 15 points. The win improved the Tigers to 9-4, and 1-0 against district opponents. The loss dropped the Jaguars to 8-5, and 2-1 against district foes.
Kole Jervis led North Laurel with 24 points, 14 of those came in the third quarter. Corey Cunnagin, and Reece Davidson finished with 11 points apiece.
Clay County led 22-11 at the end of the first quarter, and 34-23 at halftime before the Jaguars cut their deficit to two points (46-44) entering the fourth quarter.
