Ernie Burkes scored 31 points, including 14 in the third quarter, in Neshannock’s Section 2-AA decision over visiting Laurel.

“Ernie’s such an athletic kid,” Neshannock coach John Corey said. “That’s what we should expect from him on a nightly basis.”

The win served as a bounce back game for the Lancers (5-2, 11-2) after an 81-46 loss to Beaver Falls.

“We didn’t play really well for the second straight game,” Corey said. “We pulled it together at halftime and had a good fourth.”

Neshannock’s Matt McKinney was second on the team in scoring, bucketing 15 points. Tyler Haswell had a team-high 12 rebounds to go along with 12 points.

It was a spoiled homecoming for Laurel coach Ken Locke. The first-year coach of the Spartans, who spent 11 years as an assistant coach for the Lancers, saw his team shoot just 4 of 27 in the second half.

“We couldn’t put the ball in the hoop,” Spartans coach Ken Locke said.

Locke said it was a bit odd being on the visiting end at his former home court.

“It was different going in the other locker room and being on the other side. I’m happy for their guys. They’re a great group of kids at Neshannock. Hopefully, they’ll make a run in the playoffs.”

Jacob Wilson had a team-high 14 points for the Spartans (0-7, 4-11). Josh Dando and Josh Finley were next with 12 each.

The Lancers were without Marcus Giangiuli for the game. The guard will miss the rest of the season with a broken bone in his knee.

“Losing a player like Marcus is tough. He works hard and is a very unselfish kid. His effort saves us a lot of times,” Corey said. “We all have to pick it up without him.”