Future looks bright for Laurens Academy girls basketball

By Dennis Brunson

           hssr.com Associate Editor

           Laurens – The future certainly looks bright for the Laurens Academy girls basketball team.

           The Crusaders, who played for the SCISA AA state championship in their first season in the classification, will return all three players who were selected to the All-Region 4-AA team. That includes a Player of the Year who has five years of eligibility remaining.

           Seventh-grader Braylee Burke was selected as the Region Player of the Year. She averaged 11.5 points per game and connected on 60 3-point shots during Laurens’ 18-8 season.

Joining Burke on the All-Region team were junior Madisyn Graham and freshman Mackenzie Runyans. Graham, the team captain who head coach Jason Marlett calls a versatile defensive player, averaged 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 points. Runyan, who Marlett describes as an excellent defensive guard, averaged 5.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.0 steals

All three played for the North squad in the AA girls SCISA North-South All-Star Game.

Marlett said his inexperienced squad exceeded his expectations.

“After losing 90 percent of our scoring and eight players off of last year’s team, I was very proud of how our players worked hard to improve and compete all season long,” Marlett said. “We have a young team who adjusted to varsity basketball well and improved their defense each week. 

“They have grown up together at Laurens Academy and are multisport athletes. With come-from-behind wins in the state quarterfinals and semifinals, they showed their will to compete. We were able to secure our third region championship in a row and first in Class 2A. We have an outstanding group of ladies who are fun to coach, and I am excited to see how they grow and develop into the future.”

The Crusaders opened the state tournament with a 49-43 triumph over Charleston Collegiate in the quarterfinals. That was followed by a 44-43 victory over Dorchester Academy in the semifinals.

Laurens lost to Cross Schools, the defending Class A state champion, 45-29 in the championship game. Sadie Bruyere led the Crusaders with 10 points. Burke finished with nine, all on 3s, Abby Howard had four, Graham three,  Runyans two and Caroline Robinson one.

           Bruyere and Howard wee selected to the All-Tournament team.

           VAUGHAN, BURKE PLAY IN NORTH-SOUTH BOYS GAME

           Braydon Burke and Garrison Vaughan were selected to play for the North squad in the AA boys North-South Game. Burke and Vaughan are both juniors.

           The Crusaders went 7-18 on the season. The seniors on the roster were Garrett Murphy and Tristan Bates.