The Laurel High girls basketball team learned it could generate some big-time offense last night.

The Lady Spartans figured out some other things, too, in their 73-30 win over Aliquippa at the Cornell Tournament.

“We needed this after a month of practice and needing to get out and play in an actual game,” Laurel coach Jessica Shevitz said. “We don’t have seniors and we needed some leaders to step up and I think that vacancy has definitely been filled. They played so well. Continuity, leadership and all those things I was worried we didn’t have showed up. If they can maintain that through any adversity, this season could be a lot of fun.

“It wasn’t that we won that big that I am happy about. It’s the little details. The passes were crisp. They were so unselfish. They moved the ball,” she continued. “Our defense was good. We didn’t get in any foul trouble. My entire roster played and contributed. Ellen Shaffer was out with an injury and other people stepped up.”

Laurel meets Cornell, a 53-23 winner over South Allegheny, at 8 p.m. in today’s championship game.

The Lady Spartans posted a 13-5 lead after the first quarter. They erupted for 26 points in the second quarter to grab a commanding 39-16 halftime lead. Laurel increased its advantage to 56-27 after three quarters.

Jessica Conrad led all scorers with 20 points for the Lady Spartans, who forced 41 turnovers. Brooke Dicks added 10 points and 10 assists in the win. Rachael Baker had nine points, while Stephanie Telesz posted eight points and Kristan Fedrizzi had seven.

“Jessica Conrad played an unbelievable game,” Shevitz said.