EASLEY — The Easley Green Wave picked up a pair of home wins last week to push their conference record above .500.
The Wave entered the week at 9-5 overall and with a 1-2 record in Region I-AAAA play, but exited the week only a game behind second-place Wren in the conference standings.
First up on the slate last week was a Tuesday visit from the Byrnes Rebels.
Easley outscored Byrnes in the first, second and fourth quarters to gain its 10th win of the season by an 88-64 final.
Easley’s trio of guards led the way in scoring. Tim Pickel was high man with 29 points, while Troy McGowens chipped in 21, Spencer Collins had 16 points and Alex Preston added seven. Trevin Franklin and McKenzie Blandin had a good night on the boards for the Wave.
Marquis Simms led Byrnes with 21 points, while Mike Miller and Shai Williams each had 11.
Friday night’s game with the visiting Laurens Raiders gave Easley an opportunity to avenge a 51-47 road loss from earlier in the season.
The Green Wave did just that, turning a tight game into a 62-50 win.
Laurens came to play, with the game staying tight throughout.
Easley held a slim 15-14 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Easley coach Grant Stallard switched to a man-to-man defense in quarter two, and the Wave jumped to a 29-20 halftime lead.
The Raiders pounded the boards all night but the Easley trio of Franklin, Blandin and Jake Foster held the team from Laurens at bay.
Collins rebounded from an off night on Tuesday to lead the Wave with 22 points. Pickel supported the scoring with 12 points, including a pair of three-point baskets. McGowens continued to amaze with his explosive speed to the basket, chipping in 10 points, including two coast-to-coast layups.
Luquan Choice led the Raiders in scoring with 19 points.