CORBIN — North Laurel senior Brooke Nichelson torched the nets for a game-high 36 points to lead the No. 8 Lady Jaguars to a 67-50 win over Corbin on Thursday.
The 17-point victory improved North Laurel to 23-2 on the season.
“Corbin is a good team and has one of the best players in the Region in Kylie Clem,” Mahan said. “We came out and got our lead early up 18-4 but then let up defensively and rebounding. I have a tremendous amount of talent on this team but we have to learn to handle being up. We have three top 10 wins and four top 12 wins but anytime we are up against any team, we tend to let up.
“Brooke Nichelson showed just how special she is with another 36 points and 13 rebound performance,” he added. “Mariella Claybrook and Bella Sizemore also had tremendous nights. Mariella had 13 points and 10 rebounds while Bella Sizemore had 15 points off of 5-for 10 shooting from 3.
“We have been battling illness for the last 2 weeks,” Mahan continued. “Hopefully, we can get fully healthy before tournament time.”
Nichelson started her dominance in the first quarter, scoring 12 points while hitting three of her five 3-pointers during the period, helping North Laurel (23-2) jump out to a 19-8 lead.
She added seven points in the second quarter while Bella Sizemore hit two 3-pointers to make the score, 34-23, in the Lady Jaguars’ favor at halftime.
Sizemore added two more 3-pointers in the third quarter while Mariella Claybrook scored seven points, allowing North Laurel to take a 49-37 edge with eight minutes remaining.
Nichelson took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 points as the Lady Jaguars cruised to a 17-point win.
Sizemore finished with five 3-pointers and 15 points while Claybrook finished with 13 points.
Kylie Clem led Corbin (16-8) with 24 points while Raegan Walker added 14 points.
