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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LONDON \u2014 Round two between North Laurel and 16th Region champion Ashland Blazer is set to tip off on Wednesday at 11 a.m. during the first round of the Clark\u2019s Pump-N-Shop Girls\u2019 Basketball Sweet 16. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Jaguars enter the matchup with an impressive 31-2 record and are riding a 12-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Kittens boast a 21-10 record and have also found momentum with a four-game win streak, highlighted by a 72-42 victory over 16th Region Tournament favorite Russell in the title game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This marks North Laurel’s fourth trip to Rupp Arena as regional champions, and coach Eddie Mahan believes that the unwavering confidence of his players is what seperates this year’s squad from previous North Laurel teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s one thing to believe you can compete with any team in the state, but it’s another to genuinely believe you should come out on top,\u201d he said. \u201cThis team approaches every game with the mindset that they’re the superior team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat confidence may have led to a couple of losses during the regular season, as they underestimated opponents,\u201d he added. \u201cHowever, it’s also the reason they’ve secured victories against some of the state’s top-ranked teams at the time of play.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mahan likes the way his team is playing heading into the state tournament. The Lady Jaguars win 18 in a row to begin the season, followed by losing two of three games, before righting the ship and winning their last 12 games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI believe we hit a period where we let up and much of that was some over overconfidence,\u201d he said. \u201cHowever, I think this team has shown they can win in multiple ways. It doesn\u2019t matter if we need to win with a high speed game or if we have to grind it out in a defensive battle this team has proven they can get the job done.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Laurel and Ashland aren\u2019t strangers, they last met on Dec. 30, 2024 with North Laurel coming off a nine-day layoff while defeating Ashland, 67-40.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy biggest concern is that we beat them the way we did,\u201d Mahan said. \u201cThey did not have two of their better players when we played them earlier and both are difference makers. If we overlook Ashland this could be a short trip to state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brooke Nichelson led the way with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the first meeting while Haley Combs had nine points, Mariella Claybrook, Bella Mahan, and Emma Carl adding eight points apiece. Bella Sizemore finished with seven points while Bella Lewis finished with three points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are currently working hard to get our game plan together and as we do I think executing in the half court will be important,\u201d Mahan said. \u201cEach possession seems to count a little more at a state tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kenleigh Woods leads the Kittens with a 15.4 scoring average while Gabby Karly, who didn\u2019t play in the first meeting, is averaging 11.4 points per game. Brookelyn Duckwyler is scoring 10.1 points per game while Emilee Neese is averaging 9.4 points per game and Aryanna Gulley is tossing in 9.2 points per game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mahan knows his team will have its hands full Wednesday, but also realizes the potential his team has as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n