Jags throttle Tigers for 49th title

North Laurel wanted revenge following last year’s embarrassing loss to Clay County in the 49th District finals.  They got it Thursday night as they whipped the Tigers 73-61 at Jackson County to advance to the region tournament as district champions.

Coach Nate Valentine’s Jaguars shot a blistering 61% and dominated the entire game from start to finish.

Clay only trailed 33-30 at the half as the Jags came out on fire to begin the third period.

Kole Jervis opened the quarter with a three-pointer, but Clay countered on a bucket by Adon Grubb as he was fouled.  Grubb missed the free throw to leave the score at 36-30; the Tigers would never get any closer than that for the remainder of the game.

North’s Jordan Rawlings banged home two three-pointers, and Ryan Davidson added another over their next three possessions to go up 45-34.  Clay couldn’t muster a field goal as Grubb only added two free throws.

Landon Dezarn added a three-pointer to cut the lead to 45-37.  North roared back with six straight points on buckets by Davidson, Cooper Elza, and Jordan Rawlings.

Clay showed signs of life as Grubb scored three points, Ethan Jackson one, and Aiden Wagers two from 3:21 to 2:20 to cut the lead to 51-45.  A double-technical on Ryan Davidson and Aiden Wagers at 1:31 swayed the momentum back to North.

Elza added an and-one bucket to close out the third 54-45, as the Tigers didn’t score over the last 1:31.

Two Grubb free throws cut the lead to 56-47, and the Tigers never had it below double-digits for the remainder of the game.

North’s hot shooting continued throughout the game, and they won their sixth 49th district title in the last eight years.

Davidson led the Jaguars with 23 points, Kole Jervis 14, Cooper Elza 11, Jordan Rawlings 11, R.J. Noble five, and Corey Cunagin four.

Grubb led the Tigers with 14, Jerrod Roark with 13, Logan Dezarn with 12, Aiden Wagers with 12, and Ethan Jackson with seven.

The 13th region tournament draw will be held Saturday morning at The Arena in Corbin.  We will have the results posted at themanchesterenterprise.com