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2020 4A State Final: Lawrence North v Northwestern

By Randy Beckett
Updated: March 1, 2020

The #1 Northwestern Tigers (29-0) were two-time defending 3A champions and had not lost a game in over a calendar year that spanned 35 contests. #8 Lawrence North Wildcats won their first 19 contest of year before losing four games in January and limping into the tourney with a 3-game losing streak. Northwestern were led during the season by Miss Basketball candidates Madison Layden (25.6PPG) and Kendall Bostic (20.5PP). Lawrence North paced in scoring by junior Jayla Smith (13PPG) during the season.

Lawrence North used 3 first quarter triples to run out to a 17-9 lead, after shooting 58% from the field in the opening frame. The lead would grow to 13 points with 2:21 left in the first half. The half would close out with the Wildcats holding a 31-22 lead. Lawrence North held a 10-0 scoring advantage off turnovers in the half. The Wildcats also shot 54% in the half. Jayla Smith scored near her season average with 12 points in the half, while Kendall Bostic led the Tigers into the break with 10 points and 6 rebounds.

Northwestern would make a run to start the second half and would tie the game at 35. LN would finish the quarter strong and take a 43-39 lead into the final 8 minutes of play. Early in the fourth the Wildcats would use back-back threes to push the lead back to 10 before Northwestern would come storming back once again. On multiple occasion the Tigers pulled within a possession as the Wildcats struggled to hit free throws, 5-12, to close out the game late. The last was trailing 58-56 with 7 seconds remaining and inbounding the ball under their basket. Layden inbounded the ball and stepped back on the floor and received the ball on the block but was unable to connect on the shot in the paint. The Wildcats hit one of two free throws and came away with a 59-56 state championship win, a year after being runner-up. Lawrence North shot 51.2% for the game, including 10-20 from three point range, while Northwestern shot 52.4% but connected on only 1-7 three point attempts. The Wildcats also dished out 15 assists, 11 by senior PG Kristian Young, while only committing 3 turnovers. Lawrence North was led by Jayla Smith with 22 points, while Northwestern was paced by their duo of Madison Layden 25 points and Kendall Bostic 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Lawrence North (59): Smith (22), Davidson (10), Ervin (9), Young (7), Gunn (6), Graves (3), Hughes (2)

Northwestern (56): Laydan (25), Bostic (20), Heaver (4), Merrell (3), Boyer (2), Mk.Layden (2)