CORBIN — North Laurel senior Kole Jervis came up clutch again when his Jaguars needed him most.
With his team clinging to a 49-47 lead with under 10 seconds remaining in overtime, Jervis knocked down two free throws and followed it up by stealing the inbounds pass and scoring on a layup to wrap up a 53-47 win over defending 13th Region champion Harlan County in semifinal action of the 13th Region Boys’ Tournament.
“I am so proud of our guys today,” North Laurel coach Nate Valentine said. “I knew if they stuck together they could survive today. We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well early but our defense kept us in it early. It’s been different guys for us every game for us in the postseason. They are a very unselfish group that cares about winning. We are excited to be back in the region finals on Monday night.”
After a one-year hiatus, the Jaguars (21-10) have earned a trip back to the 13th Region title game on Monday.
Sophomore Reece Davidson turned in a huge effort, scoring 23 points while finishing with three assists, two rebounds, two blocks and a steal while Jervis finished with 14 points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals. Cooper Elza scored 11 points and dished out three assists, and two steals. RJ Noble scored five points while tallying nine rebounds and two assists.
North Laurel shot 15-of-47 for the game, including 7-of-16 from 3-point range.
Maddox Huff led the Black Bears with 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Jaycee Carter had 14 points and seven rebounds while Reggie Cottrell finished with nine points, and 12 rebounds. Brody Napier added eight points while Trenton Cole scored four points.
Harlan County shot 18-of-45 from the floor, and 5-of-18 from 3-point range.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first half.
North Laurel took a 13-12 lead into the second quarter after four straight points by Davidson before extending its lead to 21-18 at halftime.
The Jaguars shot 8-of-22 from the floor, and 3-of-8 from 3-point range while only turning the ball over two times.
Elza led North Laurel with eight points in the first half while Davidson added seven points, and RJ Noble had four points.
Harlan County also shot 8-of-22 from the floor, and 2-of-9 from behind the arc.
Carter scored six points while Huff and Cottrell added five points apiece.
Huff began the second half with the hot hand, scoring the Black Bears first six points to give them a 24-23 lead.
Davidson added two free allowing North Laurel to reclaim a 25-24 edge, but a clutch 3-pointer by Carter along with a putback basket, ignited a 10-0 run that saw Harlan County take a 34-25 advantage with 1:34 remaining in the period.
Jervis knocked down a 3-pointer before the end of the quarter, cutting the Jaguars’ deficit to 34-28 entering the fourth quarter.
A basket by Cole to open the fourth quarter pushed Harlan County’s lead to 37-28, but a layup by Davidson triggered a 5-0 run that cut North Laurel’s deficit to 38-33 with 5:31 left in regulation.
Cottrell added a 3-pointer to make the score, 40-23, while Davidson followed with a 3-pointer and two free throws. He also added a dunk to pull the Jaguars to within two points (42-40) with 3:10 left.
Harlan County’s lead grew to 45-42 with 41 seconds remaining before Jervis knocked down a 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining to send the game into overtime at 45 apiece.
Elza hit a 3-pointer with 1:39 left in overtime, giving the Jaguars a 48-45 lead.
Two free throws by Cottrell made the score, 48-47, while a free throw by Davidson gave the Jaguars a 49-47 lead with 25.4 left.
Jervis put the icing on the cake by hitting two free throws while stealing the inbound pass and scoring at the buzzer, giving North Laurel a 53-47 win.
