Mitchell Gibbons launches a 3-pointer. (Photo/Kerri Martin)
WINNSBORO – Richard Winn and Laurens Academy played an aggressive up-tempo game Tuesday night, but the Eagles could not keep the intensity dialed up for a full four quarters as they dropped a nail biter to the Crusaders of Laurens Academy 51-42.
Off the opening the tip the Eagles and Crusaders matched each other’s aggression on the defensive side of the court. Neither team produced consistently on the offensive end as the first quarter ended with the Eagles up 11-9. The second quarter picked up as both teams began to go on a run and break through each other’s defense. The Crusaders closed the half on an 8-2 run to take a 28-21 lead at the break.
The Eagles and Crusaders started the third with a barrage of scoring back and forth that kept the contest close. Two 3-point shots by Mitchell Gibbons and Cameron Cooper helped kick off an 8-0 run to give the Eagles a brief run going into the fourth quarter cutting into the Crusader lead. Laurens countered with an 8-1 run in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 10 points which the Eagles were never able to overcome to fall at home 51-42.
Cooper led the Eagles with 17 points as Gibbons provided 13 points. The Eagles next game is home against Newberry Jan. 16.
Laurens: 9-19-8-15 – 51
RWA: 11-10-12-9 – 42
RWA: Matt Taylor-4, Mitchell Gibbons-13, Cameron Cooper-17, Christian Christanson-8.
