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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LONDON \u2014 North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan sensed early on that his Lady Jaguars were a special team heading into the 2024-25 season. Coming off a remarkable campaign during the 2023-24 season that saw them secure their seventh consecutive 49th District title and a second straight 13th Region championship, expectations were high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The roster he returned was loaded with talent, including star player Brooke Nichelson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when his team cut down the nets at The Corbin Arena for the third consecutive year on Monday, Mahan felt it was the culmination of their hard work and determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI knew from the beginning of last summer that this team was special,\u201d he admitted. \u201cWe had all of the pieces to be able to make a run at a region and possibly even a state championship, but l also knew chemistry on and off the floor was something this team would have to work at.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Laurel lived up to its preseason hype by winning its first 18 games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSustaining a long winning streak is challenging, especially when facing tough opponents,\u201d Mahan said. \u201cThere were multiple games where a single off night or lack of focus could have easily resulted in a loss. It’s essential to remember that our team consists of 14 to 18-year-old students who have a lot on their plates. They’re not immune to having off days or letting their focus slip, which is completely understandable given their age and responsibilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs the season progressed, I knew we had potential, but it wasn’t until a few games into December that I realized just how dominant our defense could be,\u201d he added. \u201cThat’s when it became apparent we had a legitimate shot at another region championship and possibly more. Key players like Brooke Nichelson and Mariella Claybrook had taken their games to the next level, and the return of Bella Sizemore added a significant boost. With those pieces falling into place, it became clear that we had a truly exceptional team on our hands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mahan was quick to point out the keys to his team\u2019s success this season is having all pieces in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey’ve got the speed and athleticism on both offense and defense, and we’ve got a full roster with depth at every position,\u201d he said. \u201cInitially, I had two concerns: our youth and leadership. But as the season progressed, those worries dissipated. Our young players stepped up, and natural leaders started to emerge, rounding out our team’s dynamic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the success this season, came the rewards \u2014 North Laurel was ranked as high as No. 3 in the state and currently sits at No. 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing highly ranked in the state is always a great feeling, knowing that our team’s hard work is being recognized,\u201d Mahan said. \u201cHowever, I’ve noticed that it can be tougher to get that respect in certain parts of our state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, though, it’s not about regular-season rankings \u2014 it’s about what we achieve in the postseason,\u201d he added. \u201cPeople won’t remember where we were ranked a few years ago, but they’ll always remember who took home those district and region titles. That’s what we’re striving for, and our ultimate goal is to bring a state championship back to Laurel County. We hope maybe even this season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mahan has now won four regional titles at North Laurel \u2014 2019, \u201823, \u201824, and now \u201825. Is this year\u2019s team the best yet? <\/p>\n\n\n\n