MANCHESTER — When it gets to postseason time, North Laurel junior Brooke Nichelson takes her game to another level.
After turning in one of the best postseasons in Lady Jaguars history last year, Nichelson picked up where she left off, scoring a game-high 24 points while leading North Laurel to its seventh consecutive 49th District championship on Thursday with a hardfought, 36-24, win over Jackson County.
That’s right, Nichelson scored the same amount of points as the Lady Generals.
The 12-point victory also ran the Lady Jaguars’ win streak to an astounding 50 games against 49th District competition.
“To go from no district championships in 25 years to now going seven straight is a celebration of just how far we have come as a program,” North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan said. “Hats off to Jackson County they always give such a great effort. This team is special in so many ways but the most significant is that they do not care who gets the credit. Now it’s time what we have worked so hard for all year in the region tournament.”
It wasn’t easy, though.
North Laurel (26-5) struggled offensively in the first half due to an impressive defensive effort by the Lady Generals.
Jackson County (19-11) held a 13-7 lead entering the second quarter while both teams only managed to score three points apiece in the second quarter, allowing the Lady Generals to take a 16-10 lead into the locker room at halftime.
That’s when Nichelson began to take over.
She scored six of the Lady Jaguars 10 points in the third quarter, but North Laurel still trailed 22-20 with eight minutes remaining.
Nichelson showed why she’s considered one of the top players in the state by delivering the knockout blow to Jackson County in the fourth quarter.
She scored 13 points in the final eight minutes while the Lady Jaguars hit 9-of-13 free throw attempts to pull off the come from behind win.
Jaelyn Black added five points for North Laurel while Chloe McKnight scored four points, and Mariella Claybrook finished with three points.
Abby Gilbert led Jackson County with 11 points while Jenna Creech scored eight points. Lauryn Sizemore finished with three points while Maddie Curry added two points.
