Pine-Richland Rams (Gibsonia, PA) backers were in high spirits Monday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the visiting Hempfield Area Spartans (Greensburg, PA), 53-39 in a league bout.

With the win, Pine-Richland upgrades its record to 5-2 on the season. The Rams travel to North Allegheny (Wexford, PA) to play the Tigers in a WPIAL 6A 1 bout on Friday, January 6. The Tigers go into the bout with a record of 2-3. North Allegheny lost 53-32 in their recent league bout against Norwin (North Huntingdon, PA)

Next up, the Spartans play the Seneca Valley Raiders (Harmony, PA) in a WPIAL 6A 1 bout, on Thursday, January 5. Hempfield Area will attempt to upgrade on its 6-4 season record. The Raiders go into the bout with a 3-5 record after their 46-44 league loss to Butler (Butler, PA).