CORBIN — Moments after a 27-point loss to Harlan County in last year’s 13th Region Tournament finals, North Laurel coach Eddie Mahan found a silver lining in the pain, noting the defeat could serve as a learning experience to propel his team for a return trip in 2019.

Mahan proved to be a prophet in retrospect, recalling the moment after the Lady Jaguars finished off a 73-33 rout of Harlan County in a rematch Monday at The Arena in the 13th Region finals.

“I think we had to go through last year,” Mahan said. “You want it and you pray for it, but at some point you have to go through the heartbreak and get blown out like last year to get us to this year.”

The Lady Jaguars were on other side of the blowout this time, shooting a blazing 65 percent (30 of 46) in winning their first 13th Region title and earning a trip to next week’s state tournament at Rupp Arena. All five starters reached double figures, led by senior center Raegan Hubbard and junior guard Gracie Jervis with 17 points each. Emily Sizemore scored 14. Hailee Valentine and Isabel Gray added 11 each.

“We’ve had some games like that this year because they really don’t care who scores,” Mahan said. “They came out and were aggressive and knew what was on the line. They played with the aggression we saw from Harlan County last year.”

“North just played a great game. There was no stopping them,” Harlan County coach Debbie Green said. “I saw a lot of that in ourselves last year. We were going to get it no matter who was in front of us. They had a lot to prove because they had been trying for a long time. They had some young kids who played very mature for their age. If anyone goes besides us, I’m glad it’s them.”

Senior guards Reanna Middleton and K.K. Johnson scored nine each to lead the 23-7 Lady Bears. Johnson, Middleton, Phebe McHargue and Breann Turner played in four straight regional championship games, including last year’s championship run.

“It will be hard tor replace these seniors. They had a great run in the district and region and they have showed these young girls what you can accomplish with hard work,” Green said. “These girls have been a big part of this program for four years. I know Blair (Green) will tell you they would not have won the region championship last year without these girls. We all know how valuable they have been. Our young girls have a good opportunity to go to work and get back here next year.”

Turner’s jumper gave Harlan County an early lead before North reeled off seven unanswered points. The Lady Jaguars’ pressure on the ball left Harlan County with few open looks.

The Lady Bears fought back to within one as Johnson converted a three-point play and Middleton hit a 3-pointer Jervis and Hubbard scored for North as the Lady Jaguars built an 18-10 lead.

North Laurel outscored HCHS 17-7 in the second quarter to build its advantage to 35-17 at the break. Sizemore led the Lady Jaguars with three baskets, while Jervis and Gray each hit 3-pointers.

Jervis opened the third quarter with seven straight points as North quickly took control. Valentine reeled off five straight points after a basket by Middleton as the North lead grew to 28 points. Harlan County fought back late in the quarter as Jacey Lewis hit a 3-pointer and McHargue added two baskets in a 9-4 run.

Middleton’s layup to open the third quarter cut the deficit to 21, but the Lady Bears had nothing left after that as North reeled off 15 unanswered points and outscored HCHS 22-3 to end the game.

“Our kids got down and they got deflated,” Green said. “We’ve had that problem a few times this year.”

North Laurel will play the Region 2 winner on March 14 at Rupp Arena in the first round of the state tournament.

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North Laurel 73, Harlan County 33

NORTH LAUREL (30-6)

Gracie Jervis 7-8 0-0 18, Hailee Valentine 5-7 1-1 11, Isabel Gray 3-3 3-4 11, Emily Sizemore 7-13 0-0 14, Raegan Hubbard 7-10 3-3 17, Courtney Carroll 0-3 0-0 0, Meg Anderson 0-1 0-0 0, Katie Bruner 0-0 0-0 0, Tyra Fields 1-1 0-0 3, Kinsley Blair 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 30-46 7-8 73.

HARLAN COUNTY (23-7)

Phebe McHargue 2-12 0-0 4, K.K. Johnson 3-4 2-3 9, Reanna Middleton 4-12 0-0 9, Morgan Blakley 0-4 2-2 2, Breann Turner 3-8 0-0 6, Hannah Wood 0-1 0-0 0, Jacey Lewis 1-3 0-0 3, Kassy Owens 0-1 0-2 0, Kelly Beth Hoskins 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 13-46 4-7 33.

North Laurel 18 17 16 22 — 73

Harlan County 10 7 11 5 — 33

3-point goals: North Laurel 6-10 (Jervis 3-4, Gray 2-2, Fields 1-1, Carroll 0-3), Harlan County 3-19 (Johnson 1-1, Lewis 1-2, Middleton 1-5, Blakley 0-1, Wood 0-1, Owens 0-1, Hoskins 0-1, McHargue 0-7). Rebounds: North Laurel 23 (Hubbard 7, Gray 5, Sizemore 4, Valentine 2, Jervis 2, Anderson 2, Blair 1), Harlan County 19 (Turner 9, McHargue 3, Blakley 3, Middleton 1, Turner 1, Wood 1, Owens 1). Turnovers: North Laurel 10, Harlan County 16. Assists: North Laurel 16 (Jervis 5, Valentine 4, Sizemore 3, Gray 2, Hubbard 1, Carroll 1), Harlan County 9 (Johnson 4, Turner 3, McHargue 1, Lewis 1). Fouled out: None.