The Latta Vikings avenged losses to Dillon early in the week with wins over the Wildcats on Friday night in varsity basketball action, with the Lady Vikings earning a 69-65 win and the boys taking a 71-64 victory over Dillon.

The Lady Vikings were looking to avenge a 53-49 loss in Dillon on Tuesday night, and Latta’s Maya Wright got them off to a good start, scoring on the first play of the game. The Vikings held the lead through most of the first quarter, but Dillon pulled ahead 10-9 in the last three minutes of the quarter, which included 3-pointers from Latta’s TaKeria Legette and from Dillon’s Kendra McLeod.

Dillon held onto the lead through the second quarter, keeping just ahead of the Vikings at 30-28 at the half. The two teams exchanged the lead throughout the third with Latta edging Dillon 16-15 in the quarter to trail 45-44.

The Wildcats pulled ahead 51-44 in the start of the fourth with a drive from McLeod and two free throws from Khamele Manning. But a 2-pointer from Latta and three successful free throws from Wright closed the gap to 51-49. A free throw bumped the Wildcats to 52-49, but Latta’s Legette sank a two-pointer and was fouled, allowing her to sink a free throw to tie the game at 52.

With just over four minutes on the clock and the Wildcats up 54-52, McLeod hit a two-pointer and Legette scored for three to leave the Vikings trailing 56-55. Latta’s Riana Green went up to the free throw line and sank two to put the Vikings ahead, but with three minutes on the clock, Manning scored again for the Wildcats. Latta’s Mallory Townsend was sent to the line next, tying the game at 58 with one successful free throw. Manning again sank a two-pointer, but another foul gave Latta’s Legette the opportunity to keep things tied up at 60.

With two minutes on the clock, Wright sank two and was fouled. Green sank the free throw to put Latta up 63-60. A basket from Dillon put the Wildcats within one point, but a shot from Green, two more free throws from Legette, and a two-pointer from Townsend pushed Latta ahead 69-62. With 15 seconds on the clock, Dillon’s Dria Campbell sank a free throw, and Da’Kerhia Samuel scored on a two pointer, but the Wildcats fell 69-65 at the buzzer.

Latta’s Legette scored a game-high 22 points with eight rebounds and seven assists. Mallory Townsend added 19 points in the win; Riana Green scored 12; Maya Wright, 7; Madelia Johnson, 4; Margaret Desser, 3; and Tamera Campbell, 2.

Dillon was led by Kendra McLeod with a team-high 19 points and Khamele Manning with 16. Tejah Breeden scored 11; Dria Campbell, 8; Adriana McCollum, 8; Cali McRae, 2; and Shimya Sowells, 1.

Latta improved to 5-3 while Dillon slipped to 11-2 overall.

CLICK HERE to view a photo gallery from the varsity girls game, or CLICK HERE to view a video gallery from the game!

In boys varsity action, the Vikings defeated the Wildcats 71-64 after falling 73-65 to the Wildcats on Tuesday.

Dillon scored first, but Latta pulled ahead to lead 18-10 by the end of the first quarter and carried a 41-22 lead into halftime. The Wildcats poured in the points in the second half, outpacing the Vikings 42-30, but weren’t able to close the gap.

Diez Mungro scored 17 points to lead the Vikings in the win, and Jordan Sims added 14 points for Latta.

Latta improved to 4-4 and Dillon fell to 6-6 overall.

The Vikings are set to travel to Lake View tonight to take on the Wild Gators as they open conference play in Region 8-A. On Friday, Latta will be back at home to host Creek Bridge.

The Wildcats will be at Aynor tonight and will be at home to host Mullins on Friday.

Game times are set for 6:00 p.m. so make plans to attend to support our local teams!

CLICK HERE to view a photo gallery from the varsity boys game, or CLICK HERE to view a video gallery from the game!