LONDON — The North Laurel Jaguars have built one of the most consistent programs in the 13th Region, and this season added another chapter to that success.
North Laurel enters this week’s UK Healthcare KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 with a 28-7 record after capturing the program’s fourth 13th Region championship in the last five years.
The Jaguars will now turn their attention to Rupp Arena where they are set to face Warren Central in first-round action on Wednesday.
North Laurel’s success has been built around veteran leadership, particularly from senior standouts Reece Davidson and Jordan Rawlings.
Davidson, who is a Mr. Basketball candidate, has paced North Laurel throughout the season, averaging 19.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while Rawlings has contributed 9.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest.
“Our team is led by our two seniors, Reece (Davidson) and Jordan (Rawlings),” North Laurel coach Nate Valentine said. “Both of those guys played in the state tournament with a torn menisus last season. This will be their third trip to Rupp. Aside from being talented, they have provided consistency for our program along the way and the younger guys have learned a ton from them.”
The Jaguars have also received strong contributions from a talented group of underclassmen.
Junior Cooper Elza has averaged 8.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while sophomores Corey Cunagin and Kaiden Allen have emerged as key pieces.
Cunagin is averaging 11.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while Allen is adding 9.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per contest.
“Cooper (Elza) has done a tremendous job leading this team,” Valentine said. “He’s the vocal guy that I lean on heavily to get my message to the team. He’s been the glue that holds everything together when things get tough. He is extremely competitive and tough as nails. Corey (Cunagin) and Kaiden (Allen) are having tremendous sophomore seasons. They play like upper classmen.
“Corey was a warrior in the regional tournament with his defense and rebounding and finishes plays at high rate,” he added. “Kaiden continues to improve as well. He showed up big in the regional tournament and has shown he can play with anyone. He has really embraced the impact he can have on a game on the defensive end the second half of the season. I still believe both of those guys are only scratching the surface of how good they can be.”
North Laurel’s depth has also played a significant role in its championship run.
Juniors RJ Noble, Cam Anderson and Brayden Hampton have provided valuable minutes off the bench throughout the season.
Noble is averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, while Anderson is averaging 1.6 points and 1.4 rebounds and Hampton is contributing 1.2 points per contest.
“RJ (Noble), Cam (Anderson), and Brayden (Hampton) have been tremendous off the bench for us,” Valentine said. “We can play eight guys and each guy adds something different to our team. Those thrwe bring defensive energy and toughness that can spark a run at any time. They have been extremely unselfish all season and stay ready for when they are called on.
“Even the guys that don’t get a ton of minutes have had a huge impact on our success,” he added. “I thought our scout team was a key in us winning the region. They had been running our scout team offense for the last month of the season in preparation for the tournament. They push our first eight guys every day and never back down.”
