CORBIN — History has been made.
Eddie Mahan’s North Laurel Lady Jaguars made history Saturday by becoming the first team to achieve a three-peat as 13th Region champions since Clay County claimed four consecutive regional titles from 2009 to 2012.
The Lady Jaguars secured the milestone with a victory over crosstown rival South Laurel, 48-37, in Saturday’s 13th Region Girls’ Tournament title game.
North Laurel also made county history, becoming the first girls’ basketball team from Laurel County to accomplish a three-peat as regional champions since the Laurel County High School Lady Cardinals won four straight 12th Region titles from 1982 to 1985.
Senior Brooke Nichelson captured her second straight 13th Region Most Valuable Player award after totaling 81 points and 23 rebounds, which included her 29-point, seven-rebound effort in the title game.
Bella Sizemore added 11 points while hitting 3-of-5 shot attempts from 3-point range. Haley Combs added six points while Abby Hubbard finished with two points.
“I’m thrilled with my team’s performance,” Mahan said. “After our regular season matchup, we knew we needed to make some tweaks. My coaching staff delivered exceptional game prep, and it paid off. Brooke Nichelson is a once-in-a-generation player, who rose to the occasion.
“Our program’s foundation is built on tradition and culture, dating back to our esteemed Laurel County championships,” he added. “We take immense pride in upholding this legacy. To consistently achieve greatness, even as players graduate, we focus on building a strong culture.”
North Laurel shot 19-of-40 from the floor, and 6-of-16 from 3-point range. The Lady Jaguars out-rebounded the Lady Cardinals, 21-16.
South Laurel was led in scoring by Macie Messer and Aubrey Bundy, who scored nine points apiece. Jamie Buenaventura added eight points while Shelby Smith finished with four points.
The Lady Cardinals finished the game hitting 13-of-34 from the floor, and 7-of-16 from 3-point range.
“Tough loss,” South Laurel coach Tod Windlan said. “We didn’t execute the game plan on the defensive side of the court. Nichelson played well and we got down in a hole early and cannot do that against quality teams. We never gave up and fought to the bitter end.
“Proud of my team and the season we had,” he added. “I told them this loss doesn’t define our season. But we need to remember this feeling and feel it everyday in the weight and off season and every practice. If they do that, we will be back and competing for a 13th Region championship.
Our South community has been great to the girls and coaching staff. Would like to thank the administration at South for giving me this wonderful opportunity and as always Go Cards.”
Nichelson caught fire in the first quarter, opening the game with a 3-pointer while scoring North Laurel’s first 12 points.
By the time the first quarter ended, the Lady Jaguars held a 16-7 advantage.
North Laurel continued to increase its lead in the second quarter as Nicholson added four more points, totaling 16 in the first half.
The Lady Jaguars took a 23-12 advantage into the locker room at halftime as Sizemore added three points while Abby Hubbard and Haley Combs added two points apiece.
North Laurel shot 10-of-22 from the floor in the first half, including a 3-of-8 effort from 3-point range. The Lady Jaguars also out-rebounded South Laurel, 13-9, while forcing the Lady Cardinals into six turnovers.
South Laurel struggled from the floor, hitting only 4-of-18 from the floor while hitting 3-of-9 shots from behind the arc.
Maci Messer led the Lady Cardinals with six points while Bundy and Buenaventura scored three points apiece.
North Laurel put the game out of reach in the third quarter as Nichelson added eight more points while Sizemore scored five points to help the Lady Jaguars take a commanding, 40-17, advantage entering the fourth quarter.
North Laurel outscored the Lady Cardinals, 17-5, during the period while limiting South Laurel to two field goals.
The Lady Jaguars built a 45-22 lead midway through the fourth quarter before the Lady Cardinals made one final rally, using a 15-0 run to cut their deficit to 45-37.
But Nichelson put the game out of reach, scoring four consecutive points to give the Lady Jaguars a 48-37 win.
