By Denis House
Sports Editor
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —
MIDDLESBORO—Samantha Proffitt led all scorers with 25 points as the North Laurel Lady Jaguars downed Middlesboro Tuesday evening, 71-63.
Proffitt was just one of three Lady Jags in double figures, as Kayla Bruner and Ashley Woolum both chipped in with 13.
Even though his team got the win, coach Eddie Mahan would liked to have seen a few things different.
“I was disappointed with both how we started the game and how we finished it,” Mahan said. “We played well in between but many times looked like we were underestimating our opponent.”
North Laurel led after one 17-13, then pushed the lead to 38-26 at the half. A 13-10 third quarter and it looked like the Lady Jaguars would run away with things, leading 51-36 heading into the fourth quarter.
Then Middlesboro tried to get back into the game behind the play of Baily Hensley, who finished with 17 points, Ashley Mason, who had 16, and Rayann Moyers, who added 14. In the quarter, Middlesboro (6-20) outscored North Laurel (7-22), 27-20, to close the final gap to eight, 71-63.
“Middlesboro is a hard working team that never gave up,” Mahan said. “They are well-coached and it shows in how they play.”
For the game, North Laurel shot 50 percent from the field, hitting 26-of-52. Middlesboro made 19-of-51 for 37 percent.
Mahan said picking up this win is key for the upcoming district tournament.
“We are learning lessons in every game that will help us in tournament play,” Mahan said. “I wish we had one more week of games but I’m confident games like tonight are what we need before tournament play. We were able to try different offensive and defensive ideas with different line-ups and tested how well they worked.”
North travels to Danville tonight to finish its regular season, then will face Oneida Baptist Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the 49th District Tournament at North Laurel.
North Laurel 71, Middlesboro 63
North Laurel 17 21 13 20—71
Middlesboro 13 13 10 27—63
NORTH LAUREL (71)—Wyatt 6, Bruner 13, Boggs 6, Woolum 13, Gay 2, Proffitt 25, Ellington 4, Carpenter 2.
MIDDLESBORO (63)—B. Hensley 17, Biscardi 1, Moyers 14, Mason 16, K. Hensley 4, Prater 5, Pannocchia 6.
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