Laney tops Cross Creek in Richmond County Christmas tournament championship game

Desha Benjamin scored 20 points and grabbed 12 boards to lead Laney to a 66-52 win over Cross Creek in the much anticipated Richmond County Christmas tournament matchup between two of the area's very best teams.

Playing without starting guard Nya Daniels, center Alana Davis did everything in her power to keep the Lady Razorbacks close after Laney finished the first quarter on a 12-1 run that gave the Lady Wildcats a 23-11 first quarter advantage. Davis scored 19 of her game high 32 points during the second and third quarters, and the deficit narrowed to 7 during the third quarter.

But Laney's depth was too much. Four Lady Wildcats scored in double figures. Aubriana Bonner scored 16, Gemyia Bowman added 12, and Jhessyka Willams chipped in 10.

Benjamin and Davis are two of the area's very best players. Both showed a broad range of skills in Wednesday's game. Benjamin grabbed 12 rebounds to go with her team high 20 points. And Davis did it all, not only tallying 32 points and 20 rebounds, but at times breaking Laney's press and leading the fast break after grabbing a defensive rebound.

As these teams and others like Grovetown, Washington County, and North Augusta enter region play, I look forward to following the area's best girls basketball action.