Laney wins at Westside to stay undefeated

Hawes and Keeling chased each other on both ends Friday.

Keonze Perkins made a pair of baskets and Tahj Tanksley followed with a three pointer to complete a 7-0 run, giving unbeaten Laney a 56-55 lead over Westside with 4:35 remaining in the fourth quarter Friday. Laney never trailed again and the Wildcats earned a 69-64 road win, their second against a region opponent this week.

Laney's fourth quarter run was preceded by Trez Hawes's burst to open the period, which included 2 three pointers on Westside's first two offensive possessions to give the Patriots a 51-45 lead and tons of momentum. Hawes would sink a jump hook in the paint to give the Patriots a 55-49 lead before Perkins and Tanksley led Laney's go-ahead spurt.

Jasper drives by Christian Robinson Friday.

The game between two teams that entered the weekend undefeated was tied after the second and third quarters. Westside had a chance to go ahead late, trailing by 1 with possession of the ball with less than a minute remaining after Elijah Brown took a charge on a Zep Jasper drive to the basket. But Brown was called for a technical foul for standing over Jasper and shouting at him after the play. Jasper nailed both technical free throws and Christian Keeling made another after being fouled on Laney's next possession to make it 68-64.

Jasper and Keeling led Laney with 17 and 16 points respectively. Three Westside players scored in double figures: Hawes (14), Dekwan Lewis (13), and Justin Phillips (11).

Both teams will join the other 8 Richmond County teams in next week's holiday tournament at Glenn Hills. I'll preview the much anticipated three day tournament Sunday.