LAUREL — Both Laurel teams put up a fight Friday, but league-leading Hardin managed to come out with two road wins.
Laurel's girls trailed just 46-43 after three quarters and were within four with just 2:40 left to play, but Hardin made free throws down the stretch to pull away for a 64-52 win. Hardin's Marie Five led all scored with 25 points while Nevaeh Alden added 11. Sammi Spitzer led the Locomotives with 22. Maeson Cotter scored 13.
The win moves Hardin to 13-1 overall and 5-1 in the Southeast A conference, while Laurel drops to 8-4, 1-2.
Laurel's boys, meanwhile, had the undefeated Bulldogs on the ropes, up 33-28 at halftime after Danner Purkett hit a 3 from near the half-court line. Hardin responded in the third, winning the quarter 17-7 to take a 45-40 lead into the fourth. The Locomotives were never able to climb closer, as Hardin pulled away for a 71-62 win.
Famous Lefthand led Hardin with 27 points, while Trae Hugs added 14. Colter Bales also scored 27 to lead Laurel in the losing effort.
Hardin's boys move to 14-0 overall, 6-0 in the Southeast A with the win. Laurel falls to 7-5, 0-3.
