By Kayleen Cubbal
New Castle News

Laurel hung tough with playoff-bound Neshannock in a 55-47 WPIAL Section 2-AA loss at the Spartans’ court.

Laurel led 20-19 at the half, but got outscored 15-4 in the third quarter and was unable to rebound. The Spartans were 7 for 28 from the field in that quarter, including 0 of 8 from 3-point range.

“We just couldn’t put the ball in the hoop in that third quarter,” first-year Laurel coach Ken Locke said. “And Neshannock did a really good job on us defensively during that stretch.

“But we never stopped battling. I was very proud of that tonight.”

The Lancers finish the section season tied for second place with Riverside at 9-5 (16-5 overall). Beaver Falls (14-0, 19-3) won the league title. Neshannock has a nonleague finale at 7:30 p.m. today at Wilmington.

The Spartans close out at 1-13 and 5-17.

Ernie Burkes led Neshannock with 23 points, while Ethan Moose added 14. It was a career-high for Moose, a freshman.

Jacob Wilson paced Laurel with 14 points and Josh Finley added 11 rebounds.

Despite his team’s record, Locke says he feels encouraged for the future.

“Going in, we didn’t expect to win that many games after last year’s two-win season, but we lost three or four close ones that could have easily been wins,” Locke said. “I had three seniors (Finley, Stephen Avery and James Steele) who played their hearts out, but I also have a really good, young group coming back, so about that I am really encouraged. I think we have a bright future ahead of us.”

(Email: kcubbal@newsonline.com).