The Lady Spartans built an 18-4 lead after the first quarter and cruised past visiting Shenango in Section 2-AA action.

“The passion and intensity was there,” Laurel coach Jessica Shevitz said. “We like playing at home.

“The entire team is hungry and they’re working well together.”

Ellen Shaffer posted game-high totals of 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Lady Spartans (2-3, 4-8), to go along with three blocks.

“Shaffer’s numbers are pretty impressive,” Shevitz said. “She played a very good game.”

Brooke Dicks and Aleyce Bell added 10 markers each for the winners.

“The girls played four complete quarters,” Shevitz said. “It was just a total team effort.

“We went out and dominated the game from tip to buzzer.”

Victoria Weinschenk led the Lady Wildcats (0-5, 6-7) with eight markers. Amanda Herb paced Shenango with seven rebounds to go with three blocks. Samantha Seaburn snared four boards and shared team-high honors with Herb with three blocks.

“We didn’t get anything going and we didn’t play very well,” Lady Wildcats coach Brian Turk said.

Turk noted that the Shenango girls have raised $300 in support of the family of Shane McQuiston after the death of their son in an automobile accident last week.

“The girls donated all of our 50/50 and concession money from our two home games this week to the McQuiston family. I’m very proud of our Shenango community and the two teams we played, Ellwood City and Beaver Falls, who supported that. We will present the family with a check and a card that was signed by all the girls. This was their idea. I couldn’t be more proud of them. It’s a small community we live in, and when things like this happen, it touches everyone.”