LONDON — A 28-point, 17-rebound effort from senior Brooke Nichelson helped North Laurel secure a 51-44 win over Ryle.
The Lady Jaguars (24-2) led throughout the contest but couldn’t shake off the Lady Raiders (7-21).
“Senior day is always an emotional time for a team,” North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan said. “I have three very special seniors this year and all bring something unique to our team and the success of our program over the years. It was great to get the win.
“It’s not often when my team feels undersized but we for sure did today with the 6’6 Jayden McClain,” he added. “She is such a talented young player and deserving of her early national attention. Mariella Claybrook only had 10 points and 12 rebounds but against such a unique player as McClain she did really well.
“Even with the win you can see so many things we need to continue to work on but on a special day like senior day we are just going to enjoy the win and celebrate three terrific young ladies,” mahan continued. “Brooke Nichelson had another game that only she can. She scored 28 points and pulled down 17 rebounds.”
Nichelson scored 10 points in the first quarter while Mariella Claybrook added four points to help North Laurel take a 19-14 lead into the second quarter.
Two 3-pointers by Nichelson and a long range bomb from Bella Mahan gave the Lady Jaguars a 30-23 cushion at halftime.
Four points by Claybrook and a 3-pointer by Haley Combs made the score, 39-31, in North Laurel’s favor with eight minutes left.
Ryle cut its deficit to 47-44 with 36.9 seconds remaining in the game before the Lady Jaguars closed things out with four unanswered points.
Claybrook added 10 points while Combs and Sizemore scored five points apiece. Mahan finished with three points.
