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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With his team\u2019s focus on playing defense during Thursday\u2019s matchup against Leslie County, coach Eddie Mahan admitted he was pleased with the end result \u2014 a hard fought 64-58 win over Leslie County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The six-point victory allowed the Lady Jaguars (8-3) to get back to their winning ways heading into Friday\u2019s 49th District matchup against rival Clay County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDefense was our focus tonight, and we did decent for the majority of the game,\u201d Mahan said. \u201cAll it took though was a few errors and Leslie would take advantage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the first quarter, our defense would be solid, but we wouldn\u2019t finish the play off with a rebound,\u201d he said. \u201cRebounding was what kept them in the game and if you let a team like Leslie and a player like Courtney Hoskins hang around then you can find yourself in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hoskins turned in a game-high 32 points while hitting four 3-pointers for the Lady Eagles but North Laurel had an answer in Chloe McKnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McKnight led the Lady Jaguars with 20 points while also turning in a solid effort rebounding the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChloe McKnight set up our offense in the first half with 13 points and was able to get their post player in foul trouble,\u201d Mahan said. \u201cChloe has improved and matured so much this season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Jaguars led 18-12, and 38-26, at the end of the first, and second quarters, before holding off Leslie County\u2019s late rally in the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n