ORLANDO, Fla. — North Laurel leaned on its defensive play to earn a 52–39 win over Edgewater, Fla., on Monday during the Florida Prospects Classic, improving to 8–1 on the season.
The Lady Jaguars faced a tough test against an Edgewater team that entered the contest 10–2 and ranked No. 7 in Florida.
Despite limited practice time leading into the tournament, North Laurel controlled the game with defensive pressure.
Laylee Phillips led North Laurel with 13 points, while Bella Lewis added 11. Haley Combs finished with eight points, Paisley Kilburn scored seven, and Mariella Claybrook chipped in six. Bella Mahan added four points, and Paisley Robinson rounded out the scoring with three.
North Laurel’s defense proved to be the difference, especially when shots weren’t falling consistently.
Claybrook anchored the paint with 11 rebounds and seven blocks while Combs came up with six steals and four rebounds. Lewis added four steals and four rebounds, and Mahan finished with three steals and five rebounds.
North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan said the team’s recent layoff was noticeable at times, but he was pleased with how his players responded.
“We haven’t practiced in eight days, and that’s on me,” he said. “I felt it was important to give our kids time with their families leading into Christmas, and once we got down here our emphasis shifted toward team bonding and shared experiences off the floor. You could see the effects of that at times today, especially in our timing and rhythm, but overall I was pleased with how we performed and how we competed.
“The area where the layoff showed the most was our shooting,” Mahan added. “We missed some looks that we normally knock down, and that’s to be expected after time away from the gym. What I was proud of is that when the shots weren’t falling, we didn’t panic or lose our identity. Defense is what we’re built on, and that’s exactly what we leaned on today to get us through stretches where the offense wasn’t as sharp as usual.”
Mahan also credited Combs for setting the tone early.
“We had multiple players step up and contribute in meaningful ways, but I thought Haley Combs really set the tone early,” Mahan said. “Her aggressiveness, energy, and willingness to attack gave us a spark and helped establish the level of play we needed. That kind of effort is contagious, and it showed throughout the group as the game went on.”
