CORBIN — North Laurel’s quest for a fourth consecutive 13th Region championship started off on the right foot during Tuesday’s first round action with a 66-14 win over Barbourville.
The Lady Jaguars (23-6) have now won 10 consecutive 13th Region Tournament games while the Lady Tigers finishes the season with a 11-15 record.
“I loved our aggressiveness from the opening tip,” North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan said. “To put up 24 in the first quarter and 45 in the half, that’s the pace we want. Shooting 19 of 33 from the field for 57 percent in a tournament setting shows we were locked in and taking the right shots coming off of our defense.
“This time of year is about standards,” he added. “The scoreboard said 45-10 at the half, but what I was proud of was our approach and the energy, the togetherness, and the focus. We never got our half court offense going, but we will work on that the next few days. Survive and advance, and now we get ready for the next one.”
Eddie Mahan’s squad raced out to a 24-8 lead in the quarter, and outscored Barbourville, 21-2, in the second quarter to take a 45-10 edge into the locker room at halftime.
North Laurel’s lead grew to 54-12 in the third quarter after outscoring the Lady Tigers, 9-2.
The Lady Jaguars only allowed six points during the final three quarters.
Mahan’s squad shot 26-of-55 from the floor, including 7-of-21 from 3-point range. They also forced 27 points and limited Barbourville to 7-of-31 shooting, including 0-for-10 from 3-point range. They also forced the Lady Tigers into 38 turnovers.
Eighth grader Laylee Phillips scored 14 points for North Laurel’s while Mariella Claybrook finished with 11 points, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. Haley Combs tallied 10 points, six assists, and 11 steals.
Breanna Engle led the Lady Tigers with 10 points.
