LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — It had the setting of a classic trap game. North Laurel played highly-rated George Rogers Clark last Friday and the rematch with South Laurel awaits this Friday. Between the two giants was a little game with Leslie County.

“It’s one of those things. You play really well Friday, an emotional game like that. We came in a little flat,” North Laurel coach Brad Sizemore said. “But you have to give them a little credit. We were down 12 and we come in the third quarter like we are ready to prove something.”

Flat may be an understatement for a North Laurel team that managed just 17 points in the first half against the Eagles. North Laurel scored as much in the third quarter as they had in the first half. That would be enough to propel the Jaguars to a 52-44 win.

“We’re not doing it perfect, but these kids have a lot of heart. I’m proud of them. I’m happy for them. They got another win,” Sizemore said.

Leslie County led by as much as 12 points in the first half. They did it with physical defense, determined rebounding, and timely shooting. Austin Collett scored 12 points in the first half for the Eagles, all on three-pointers.

“We weren’t strong in the lane and they were pushing us all over the place. We weren’t moving the ball quick and we weren’t ready to shoot. And we didn’t guard,” Sizemore said. “We didn’t do a lot of good things in the first half.”

North Laurel trailed 29-17 at halftime and the Eagles had the lead at 14 points with five minutes in the third quarter. That is where the rally started with a three-pointer from Taylor Bowling.

“If we didn’t hit the basket a couple of times that games was probably over,” Sizemore said. “We hit a couple of shots and started switching our defenses and turned our pressure up a little bit.”

The pressure led to turnovers, which led to more offense.

Bowling’s three-pointer started a 15-0 run by North Laurel. He would hit another three-pointer in the rally and a third in the fourth quarter. He scored 12 of his team-high 14 points in the second half.

“He’s capable of busting out like that and we’re going to need him down the stretch,” Sizemore said.

Ryan Shears scored five points on the 15-0 run with a three-point play and a lob from Marcus Carson. It would have been a 19-0 run if Leslie County’s Hobert Asher had not heaved a three-quarter court prayer to beat the third quarter horn. It would be the only Leslie County field goal for over 10 minutes.

“As bad a first half as we had, I thought we had that good of a second half. We turned them over and started hitting some outside shots,” Sizemore said. “They started having a lot of fun.”

By the time the Eagles got a three-pointer from Casey Maggard, there was only 2:26 left to play. Maggard’s shot did cut the lead to 43-40. Free throws from Carson and a baseline drive by Bowling secured the lead.

“We knew they were going to come in ready to go and we gave them a lot of confidence in the first half,” Sizemore said.



North Laurel 52, Leslie County 44

Leslie County 16 13 7 8—44

North Laurel 6 11 17 18—52

LESLIE COUNTY (44)—Bray 6, Collett 15, Asher 5, Napier 6, Maggard 6, Horten 6.

NORTH LAUREL (52)—Carson 11, Shears 6, Allen 12, Eversole 5, Henson 4, Bowling 14.

mhoward@sentinel-echo.com