Laurens’ boys fall at Wade Hampton, girls win

The Laurens Raiders boys’ basketball team played in a game Tuesday that had all the intensity of a state tournament game. Thankfully, for the Raiders, it wasn’t.

But it was still disappointing all the same as the Raiders fought back from down 13 points in the second half to tie the game in the fourth quarter, only to eventually fall 67-59 at Wade Hampton.

Laurens pounded away from the 3-point line against the Generals, hitting 12-of-29 shot attempts. Christian Anderson hit five 3-pointers and scored 20 points for Laurens, while Dee Foster had four 3-pointers and 16 points.

But Wade Hampton made up for the long-range shooting by hitting 20 free throws. It also used an 18-7 run to end the first half, grabbing a 34-24 lead at the break, and never trailed the rest of the night.

Laurens’ girls, meanwhile, broke through for their second region victory of the season when they rallied past Wade Hampton, 54-44. Qua Fortson had 23 points in the victory, 16 of which came in the fourth quarter, as the Raiders outscored the Generals 24-7 in the final eight minutes to grab the victory.

Both teams play Woodmont Friday.

LA: The Laurens Academy girls’ basketball team rolled through Cambridge Academy Tuesday, 52-14, winning their 20th game on the season.

Ruthie Moore had 18 points, Jennifer Wu added 11, and Blair Quarles had 10 to boost the Crusaders at home.

PC: Salina Virola had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds for Presbyterian, while teammate Kacie Hall had 12 points, but the Blue Hose were held to 20 points in the second half as they lost to UNC Asheville, 52-43, at the Templeton Center.

Trinity Johnson had 11 points off the bench for PC, which shot 2-for-16 from 3-point range and turned the ball over 18 times.

PC is now 4-15 overall, 2-6 in the Big South.