LA girls, Clinton boys both come up short

The Laurens Academy girls and Clinton boys both saw their hopes of state basketball championship glory come to an end Saturday.

Laurens Academy, in the SCISA Class A Championship Game at the Sumter Civic Center, was on the receiving end of a 17-7 run by Dorchester Academy in the second half that helped spark the Raiders to a 52-45 victory over the Crusaders. It was the first appearance in the SCISA final for the LA girls since 2008.

Taylor Campbell and Ruthie Moore accounted for 43 of LA’s 45 points and were named to the all-tournament team. Campbell had 25 points and Moore scored 18. LA finished with a record of 26-4.

Clinton’s boys, playing in the SCHSL Class 3A Upper State final at Greenville’s Bon Secours Wellness Arena, saw its hopes of a first-ever state championship game appearance end with a 71-43 loss to Southside. Clinton’s final record is 21-4.