Former North Laurel star Reed Sheppard, center, came back to see this year's team in February. (North Laurel Basketball Photo)
This will be the third time in four years that North Laurel has played in the state tournament. However, it’s a far different atmosphere for coach Nate Valentine going into today’s game against 14th Region champion Breathitt County.
Current NBA player Reed Sheppard led North Laurel to the 2022 and 2023 state tournaments before going to Kentucky for one illustrious freshman season. North Laurel was considered one of the best teams not only in the 13th Region but also in the state when Sheppard played.
This year North Laurel is 22-10 and lost twice to regional rivals Corbin and South Laurel during the season. In the regional tournament, North Laurel beat Corbin 66-41 to open the tourney and beat South Laurel 49-44 in the title game. North Laurel also beat Clay County 73-61 to win the 49th District after losing to Clay also earlier in the season.
“This is our third trip in four years to the state but we are still hoping to get the first win (at state) in boys history,” Valentine said. “We are thrilled to be here. It’s something the boys dream about and something I still dream about as a coach.”
Valentine knows there could be a big crowd for the matchup of “mountain” teams in this morning’s game.
“It’s on the front end of spring break for us but I think the crowd will be really good,” Valentine said. “We went through struggles early on. North Laurel is 0-3 in the state tournament and our goal was to get back to the state tournament and be the team that won the first game. I have heard from a lot of people excited to see the Jaguars back in Rupp Arena.”
Junior Reece Davidson, a 6-8 forward and Sheppard’s cousin, averages 20.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game and has several college offers, including Eastern Kentucky. He shoots 53 percent from the field overall and 42 percent from 3.
Another junior, Jordan Rawlings, scores 10.1 points per game and senior Kole Jervis contributes 8.2 points per game and is a 43 percent shooter.
“Kole is our only senior and is a really good golfer so he joins us late,” Valentine said. “He’s a gutsy kid. He played in the state tournament as a sophomore. He made big shots. He hit a half-court shot to win a game and made a 3 to tie Harlan County and put it into overtime (in the regional semifinals).”
Valentine was not worried about the 11 a.m. start today.
“I think it is good that you can get up and go play and not have to think about it,” Valentin said. “We have played at 1 p.m. twice this year. No excuses.”
