Lawrence North Girls Basketball took down Noblesville 53-41 to open the 2017 campaign tonight. Katie Davidson finished with 20 points and freshman Jayla Smith chipped in 11 in her high school debut. North Star Print Editor Jared Rigdon takes a look at the three reasons Lawrence North was victorious over Noblesville.

Passionate Effort: There were times last season that LN really didn’t seem into it. Stretches of time where the ball didn’t move, no one spoke and the Wildcats would get behind. That wasn’t the same tonight. Kristian Young hounded the Noblesville backcourt, turning up a handful of steals. Young dove for balls on the floor and even turned up a fourth quarter steal that had coach Chris Giffin amped up. Players hit the boards and Lauren Gunn finished with over five offensive boards to continue offensive possessions. Even the bench got into the swing of things, exploding after Katie Davidson hit a dagger to put the Wildcats up late in the fourth quarter. LN will have to play with a lot of passion this season and have intensity that wasn’t always present last season.

Improved play from Katie Davidson: When Trinity Brady exited the locker room in a t-shirt and sweatpants, there was some concern as to who was going to pick up the offensive effort. Enter Katie Davidson and the LN offense found a new go to perimeter player. Davidson remained calm and collected despite staunchy defense from Noblesville guards. Enroute to 20 points, Davidson held a steady dribble and shot a solid percentage from the floor. Davidson proved she was matured beyond her years, exploding in the fourth quarter including a key three to bury Noblesville. Even when Brady returns, Davidson will be a key aspect of the LN offense.

Solid Defense: While the offense struggled in some facets tonight, the defense picked up the slack. The defense forced steals and pressured the big two stars of Noblesville. As the Millers begin to heat up, Giffin turned to a high pressure zone that kept Noblesville at bay for the remainder of the first half. Emily Kiser could never find her footing in the second half and LN begin to roll. Even without 6’1” Justis Odom, who fouled out early in the fourth quarter, the LN defense kept Noblesville to 41 points and proved that teams are going to have to work to put up points on the Wildcats.