LONDON — North Laurel opened 49th District play with a strong second-half performance, pulling away for a 74–59 win over Clay County on Friday night.
The victory improved the Jaguars to 9–4 overall and 1–0 in district play while Clay County slipped to 8–5 overall and 0–1 against district competition.
The game was tightly contested throughout the first half.
North Laurel held a 17–13 lead after the first quarter as Corey Cunagin and Reece Davidson scored six points apiece for the Jaguars. Clay County’s Adon Grubb answered with seven points in the quarter, including a three-pointer while Jacob Rogers and Aiden Wagers each connected from beyond the arc.
Clay County battled back in the second quarter, tying the game at 24 apiece and again at 27-all before North Laurel took a slim 31–29 lead into halftime.
Davidson scored five points in the period, including a three-pointer, while Jordan Rawlings and Kaiden Allen also knocked down threes. The Tigers stayed close by hitting four three-pointers in the quarter, with Grubb scoring six points and Wagers adding seven.
North Laurel began to create separation in the third quarter, outscoring Clay County 18–11 to take a 49–40 lead into the fourth quarter.
Allen scored five points in the period, Cam Anderson hit a three-pointer, and Davidson and Cunagin added four points apiece. Clay County’s Wagers and Rogers each scored three points in an effort to keep the Tigers within reach.
The Jaguars put the game away in the fourth quarter.
Cunagin scored nine points in the final eight minutes, Davidson added eight, and Rawlings converted all three of his free throw attempts. Clay County received a late push from Rogers, who hit three 3-pointers and scored 10 points in the quarter, but North Laurel’s lead was too much to overcome.
Davidson led all scorers with 23 points for North Laurel while Cunagin followed with 20. Allen finished with 12 points, and Cooper Elza and Rawlings added eight points apiece. Anderson chipped in three.
Clay County was led by Grubb with 21 points. Wagers finished with 18, and Rogers scored 16 in the loss.
