Dillon’s Lady Wildcats hosted Latta’s Lady Vikings on Tuesday night for a 53-49 win in girls varsity basketball action.

The Vikings, the defending Class A state champs, took a 12-6 lead over Dillon, the Class 2A lower state runner-up, in the first quarter of action on Tuesday night. But the Wildcats fought for a 15-13 second quarter to trail 25-21 at the half. Dillon edged the Vikings 12-11 in the third to close the gap to 36-33, and pulled ahead 19-12 in the fourth quarter for the 53-49 victory.

Dillon’s Khamele Manning and Latta’s TaKeria Legette each scored a game-high 17 points to lead their teams.

Kendra McLeod added 12 points for Dillon; Tejah Breeden, 9; Adriana McCollum, 6; Da’Kerhia Samuel, 6; and Shar’Asia Samuel, 3.

Maya Wright added 15 points for the Vikings, with Mallory Townsend earning 12 and Riana Green scoring five.

Dillon improved to 11-1 with the win while Latta slipped to 4-3 on the season.

In the latest South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association Polls, the Lady Wildcats were ranked second in the state in Class 2A behind Mullins. Bishop England, Abbeville, and Columbia rounded out the top five.

In Class A, Latta was ranked third in the state polls, with St. Joseph’s in first and Carvers Bay in second. Christ Church was ranked fourth, and Hemingway was in fifth place. Latta will face both Carvers Bay and Hemingway in upcoming Region 8 action.

Dillon and Latta will face off again this Friday night in Latta at 6:00 p.m.

Next Tuesday, January 13, Dillon will be at Aynor, while Latta will be on the road to face their local and regional rivals, the Lake View Wild Gators. Game times are set for 6:00 p.m., so make plans to attend to support our local teams!

Photos by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click the images below to view at full size!