BASKETBALL: West Laurens girls crushed by Cross Creek in region semis

West Laurens’ girls came prepared for a physical, defensive game as they took on top seed Cross Creek in Thursday’s 4-AAA semifinal, and that it was. 

The Lady Raiders were able to dig in to keep the slow-scoring battle from getting completely out of hand until late, but a lopsided fourth quarter helped the Razorbacks bust it open to win 50-16 and advance. West’s deficit averaged double digits for most of the night, but was only 20 before Cross Creek dominated the fourth 22-2.

The Razorbacks will oppose Baldwin in Friday’s first of two finals, both matching Creek and the Braves as the region’s top two seeds.

The Lady Raiders will play Hephzibah for third Friday at 4 p.m. in Milledgeville, just before Harlem and the Rebels play for the boys consolation at 5:30. The set of title games will start at 7.

“Hopefully we’ll get back on track vs. Hephzibah,” head coach Tyler Rogers said, passing along a bit of unfortunate news that guard Maddie Ridgway has been ruled out for the season with an ankle injury suffered earlier this week. “The girls are playing hard, and that’s all we can ask for.”