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<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LONDON \u2014 Two of the top teams in the state squared off during the Roy Bowling Classic on Saturday with No. 3 North Laurel outlasting No. 8 Simon Kenton, 42-39.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three-point victory improved the Lady Jaguars to a school-best 13-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMost important win of the season so far,\u201d North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan said. \u201cNot because of how good they are, even though they are deserving of the state accolades, but because they were so well prepared and tough. That was the first time this season my team was figuratively punched in the mouth as Simon Kenton came out swinging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou could tell that we wasn\u2019t used to being down early and we played tight the entire quarter,\u201d he added. \u201cIn the second quarter, we used our defense to make a huge run but still seemed to not be able to get any half court offense going because of their physicality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Murray State signee Brooke Nichelson took over in the second half after seeing the Lady Jaguars trail 24-19 entering the third quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She hit three 3-pointers to open the second half and scored nine points in the third quarter as North Laurel took a 33-30 advantage into the final period of play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat I thought was the true turning point was the third quarter,\u201d Mahan said. \u201cThe team overall stepped up to match the physicality and Brooke Nichelson proved once again that no matter who we play she is the best player on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nichelson added six more points in the fourth quarter while finishing with a game-high 21 points while helping North Laurel secure the three-point win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haley Combs added nine points while Bella Sizemore finished with six points. Emma Carl had four points, and Mariella Claybrook chipped in two points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n