CORBIN — South Laurel moved one step closer in capturing its first 13th Region championship since 2016 thanks to a 66-56 win over 51st District champion Pineville during Saturday’s 13th Region Tournament semifinal.
The Cardinals will now face-off against crosstown rival North Laurel during Monday’s 13th Region title game. They defeated the Jaguars twice this season, 49-41, and 53-38.
“Proud of our guys and the fight we showed,” South Laurel coach Jeff Davis said. “Really battled against a very good team that can put you in a bunch of bad match ups.
“Glad for our guys that they get another chance to play,” he added. “Huge challenge ahead and we will have to be better in all aspects.”
South Laurel took a slim 26-23 advantage into the locker room at halftime against the Mountain Lions, but pulled away behind the play of Jordan Mabe, Josh Steele, Max Fullmer, and Colton Rawlings.
Mabe turned in a 22-point, 11-rebound, two-block effort while Steele had 18 points and seven rebounds. Fullmer finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Rawlings scored nine points while tallying his 1,000th career point during the process.
Sawyer Thompson finished with 25 points, five rebounds and four steals while Ashton Moser had 14 points, five rebounds, five blocks and four steals. Kaiden Robbins totaled 11 points and five rebounds.
Both teams turned in solid defensive efforts in the first half.
The Cardinals did just enough to take a 14-10 lead into the third quarter and a 26-23 lead into halftime.
South Laurel shot 10-of-28 from the floor in the first half while going 2-of-7 behind the arc. The Cardinals out-rebounded Pineville, 20-8.
Mabe had 10 points, and eight rebounds while Steele added nine points and four rebounds.
The Mountain Lions were limited to 8-of-21 shooting and 1-of-4 from 3-point territory.
Moser had 11 points, three blocks and three steals. Sawyer Thompson added six points and two steals.
Four points from a Mabe and a basket from Steele pushed South Laurel’s lead to 34-27 with 3:50 remaining in the third quarter.
A 3-pointer by Rawlings increased the Cardinals’ cushion to 39-29 with 2:01 remaining in the period.
Another basket by Mabe and an old fashioned 3-point play by Fullmer pushed South Laurel’s advantage to 44-31 entering the fourth quarter.
