LONDON — Some things never change.
Case in point, Eddie Mahan’s North Laurel Lady Jaguars.
With another roster filled with talented players, led by Murray State signee Brooke Nichelson, the Lady Jaguars are set to defend their 49th and 13th Region championships.
Just how successful has North Laurel been?
Dating back to the 2017-18 season, the Lady Jaguars have compiled an overall record of 193-44 (best in the 13th Region), three region championships, two Elite Eight appearances, six 13th Region title game appearances, seven consecutive 49th District championships, a 90-12 record against 13th Region teams, and a 48-game win streak against 49th District opponents.
That’s impressive.
North Laurel is coming off a 29-6 season that saw them capture its second consecutive 13th Region championship.
Can they make it a three-peat this season?
“Last year was a tremendous season,” Mahan said. “Our team once again came together to accomplish another trip to Rupp Arena. That continued success in the postseason hopefully creates a better prepared team each and every year with that kind of experience.
“However, even with all of the success our team felt we fell short of our potential losing for the first time in the first round of state,” he added. “We are determined to get back and redeem our program from the disappointing performance of last year.”
If his team’s summer play is any indication of things to come, North Laurel could very well be cutting down the nets at The Corbin Arena for the third year in a row.
“This year’s team is a very talented and a very athletic group,” Mahan said. “However, our team will have to adjust to life without Chloe Mcknight this year. Her performance in the post always demanded a double team and we played through her the last few years. This year’s team will be more perimeter oriented and will have to make up for the loss with great defense and ability to penetrate on the offensive side of the ball. We had a very tough summer schedule playing some of the best in the country.
“We know our top end talent is battle tested and ready for the best in the state, but we have a very young but talented group that will need to come along to round out our lineup in order for us to win our third straight region championship,” he added. “With that kind of youth, expect us to have some bumps in the road during December and January. However, I believe that by the end of the season the ceiling for this team might be the highest of any team we have had.”
Two starters are returning in Nichelson and Haley Combs.
Nichelson averaged 18 points per game last season along with 9.9 rebounds per game.
“Brooke is the best athlete I have ever coached including when I coached college,” Mahan said. “Her ability to get to the basket is unreal and that same athletic ability is seen in her defense and rebounding as well.”
Combs returns as one of the top guards in the region. She averaged seven points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season.
“She is a tremendous point guard who can get to the basket, hit the perimeter shot, or create for others,” Mahan said. “Her unselfish play is such a huge asset to our team. I think you will see Haley take a huge step forward this season as our pace of play increases.”
Mahan will also be leaning on players such as 6-2 sophomore Mariella Claybrook, Leslie County transfer Bella Lewis, Mahan’s daughter, Bella Mahan, Emma Carl, Paisley Kilburn, and Abby Hubbard.
Claybrook has established herself as one of the top players in the region. She’s received offers from Northern Kentucky University, Radford University, and Lipscomb University.
“She is one of the most versatile players in the state,” Mahan said. “She can post you up or bring the ball up and run the offense. There is a reason she has so many colleges offers already as just a sophomore.
“Last season, she showed just how much of a team player she is coming off the bench even though she had already received multiple D1 offers,” he added. “Her team first mentality will be in the starting lineup this season and I am sure that will give her the minutes to shine.”
mahan confirmed he has multiple players who will be starting at different times this season. It will be unique as each player is young but talented and can bring something different to the starting lineup.
“Bella Lewis is a very athletic guard who can do it all,” Mahan said. “She is often noticed first with her ability to defend but is a good penetrator and shooter as well. She will be a consistent member of the starting lineup this season
“Bella Mahan is one of the most skilled players,” he added. “She can shoot the three, and handles the ball well for her age. Her basketball IQ will work well as a contributor around our returning players. She be in the starting lineup some this season as a shooting guard and will also play some back up point guard.
“Emma Carl is an unbelievable athlete, who can get to the basket extremely well,” he added. “Her defense is possibly the best on the team. She has the ability to not just be a starter but a standout this season.”
Mahan also likes what Kilburn and Hubbard bring to the table.
“Paisley Kilburn is a very good all-around player,” Mahan said. “ She just needs to get more experience and she will be contributing and competing to start this season. Abby Hubbard is a senior who is a great leader and can contribute in the low post or mid-range area.
“This team has three players who are ready to play anyone in the state, but our overall roster is very young,” he added. “Just how great this team is, may be decided by the maturing of our young players. Even though they are young, the talent level is very high, and we could see a very deep roster by the end of the season.”
Mahan feels his team’s strengths are defensive play combined with a quick and aggressive team on offense.
“We will be leaning on those areas a lot toward the beginning of the season,” he said. “We do not make any excuses in our program. We know our expectations are always extremely high. “However, the youth is a concern for us,” Mahan added. “With young players, confidence is a huge factor, and we tend to not play many teams that allow for that confidence to grow. It will be the toughest minded players that will be able to help this team by the end of the season.
“For this team it will be two main keys to success,” he continued. “The first will be our player development. We know our players and team must be better at the end of the season, than it is going into it. The other is team chemistry and player sacrifice. We must maintain our ultimate goals of success to be team oriented.”
One thing that’s for certain, Mahan’s team will be battle-tested with a challenging slate that includes a rematch with Franklin County, who eliminated the Lady Jaguars last season.
“We always try and make our schedule with the end of the season in mind,” he said. “We once again have some very tough opponents on our schedule. From a rematch of our state tournament game against Franklin County to teams such as Ryle, Southwestern and two games against Ashland every game is one we plan on utilizing to get our team ready for postseason.”
The tough skate will also prepare Mahan’s squad for district play. North Laurel hasn’t lost to a 49th District team since Jan. 5, 2018.
“We never overlook our district,” Mahan said. “Through the years, many of your best teams in the region come from the 49th District. Jackson County still has one of the best players in our area and one that I think has been severely overlooked in Abby Gilbert. We will make sure we are ready for a tough district again this season.
“We have the talent and ability to make another run this year,” he added. “It will just be a matter of putting the pieces together to get ready for the challenges.”
