A slow start didn’t keep North Laurel from almost pulling off a huge win during Saturday’s MLK Jr. Classic.
The Lady Jaguars spotted Notre Dame leads of 11, and eight points at the end of the first and second quarters, respectively before fighting back to take the lead in the second half.
North Laurel couldn’t hold on though, dropping a slim 56-54 decision to the Pandas.
“Today is one of the games that will make us better,” North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan said. “ The length of Notre Dame bothered us early on and we were not mentally ready in the first quarter. The game plan was poorly executed, so I have to do better getting them ready and we seemed tight on offense. Brooke Nichelson being in foul trouble once again was a factor. She played a total of nine minutes, and she is too much of a factor on both ends for that to happen so much.
“This makes about the fifth game we have played poorly early on to eventually start playing in the third quarter,” he added. “Three of those games though, we worked so hard that physically and mentally we are exhausted by the end when we need to execute. We had multiple unforced turnovers tonight especially at the end, that we can’t overcome and that cost us today.”
Emily Sizemore led North Laurel (11-4) with 19 points while Bella Sizemore added 15 points, and Chloe McKnight scored 14 points.
“Chloe and Emily both had terrific games and you expect that from two of the best players around, but the two I was most impressed with was Bella Sizemore, who stepped up at key times in the game and Mariella Claybrook, who changes the game in so many ways with her length and athleticism,” Mahan said.
The Lady Jaguars are scheduled to be back in action Tuesday on the road against Jackson County. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. start.
“I don’t believe many teams around our area plays the schedule we play, and I count on it to make us better,” Mahan said. “That’s what I am counting on again this year.”
