This season, the Laurel Knighthawks have picked up right where they left off last year. According to TSJW Network, they are currently the only team in the conference with a winning record (11-4). The Knighthawks have proven that they can come back from a deep hole. We saw this when they played the Jackson Victors. Laurel led that game for one second, the only second that mattered, winning 59-60. The Knighthawks are undefeated in conference play, which means they are the number 1 seed in the MSAHA. However, Laurel will be tested on December 18, as they face the number 2 seed PCA Paladins.
The last time the Laurel Knighthawks played PCA was the 2021 MSAHA Finals. The game ended with a score of 57-53 going the Knighthawks way. There is an added edge for PCA, because last season the Paladins were the heavy favorites to win the state championship. Laurel and PCA are the clear early favorites, and the 18th could be a sneak peak of this year’s state championship game. In short, this game means more than just bragging rights; it will show who will most likely end up on top.
On the other hand, the regular season can be deceiving. The Knighthawks dropped both games against the Jackson Victors in the regular season last year. When they met in the tournament, Laurel came out on top 62-59. The Knighthawks lost both regular season matchups with PCA as well. Laurel came into that tournament as the #3 seed and defeated both the #1 (PCA) and #2 (Jackson) seeds.
Laurel is coming off a sloppy loss and then a blowout win. The Knighthawks lost to Wayne Academy 52-50. That game wasn’t a well executed game by the Knighthawks. The score also does not reflect how close the game actually was. Silas Ensign hit a buzzer-beater three to end the game. It was definitely a contest that Laurel should have won, but bad passing and unlucky bounces on the rim kept the Knighthawks out of the win column.
The blowout win was against the Temple Christian Eagles. It was a very good developmental game, with the normal Laurel starters playing a fraction of the usual amount of time. The Knighthawks bench played well. Laurel did this by exploiting the down low presence of Brayden Dry and Skylar Haden. Aaron Smith also stepped up in a big way, making his first varsity start. The “team ball” type of play that Coach Cliff has preached since preseason resulted in a 55-41 win.
The Laurel Knighthawks have a well deserved break before their next game. In this time, Laurel has to get their heads right. PCA is not going to be a push over. The Knighthawks have a great chance to make a big statement because the whole conference will be paying attention to the game on December 18. If Laurel can win the down low game, rebound well on both ends of the floor, and get good shooting from the outside, the Knighthawks have a great chance at a win.
