LA defense leads Crusaders into 2nd round
LA’s Payton Breen (24) scored 11 points in an opening-round win over Holy Trinity in SCISA Class A playoffs Friday in Lexington.
Laurens Academy advanced to the SCISA Class A girls basketball quarterfinals Friday in Lexington with a 36-13 win over Holy Trinity of Beaufort.
Olivia Huck led LA (17-10) and tied Holy Trinity’s total on her own with 13 points, and Payton Breen added 11.
But the story of the game was the Crusaders’ defense. LA held Holy Trinity scoreless for the entirety of the first half and led 21-0 after two quarters. The Lions, who were playing without their stating point guard, were 0-for-23 from the field in the first half.
“Our team played excellent defense in 3/4 court and didn’t give them an inch,” said LA head coach Jason Marlett. “Our effort and communication were excellent in the first half defensively.”
Eight LA players scored and all 15 on the roster saw playoff action.
Lilly Cooler led Holy Trinity with 7 points.
The No. 2-seeded Crusaders will face No. 1 Patrick Henry Academy (17-1) Monday at Ben Lippen School in Columbia.
The LA boys are to open the SCISA Class A playoffs today (Saturday) against Conway Christian at 1:30 p.m. at the Sumter Civic Center.
