Hempfield Area Spartans (Greensburg, PA) backers were pleased Thursday as they saw their basketball squad hold off the visiting Pine-Richland Rams (Gibsonia, PA), 48-47 in a league bout.

With the victory, Hempfield Area upgrades its record to 8-9 on the campaign. The Spartans travel to Seneca Valley (Harmony, PA) to play the Raiders in a WPIAL 6A 1 bout on Monday, January 30. The Raiders come into the bout with a record of 4-10. Seneca Valley lost 58-55 in their recent league bout against Butler (Butler, PA)

Next up, the Rams play the Beaver Bobcats (Beaver, PA) in a non-league bout, on Monday, February 13. Pine-Richland will attempt to upgrade on its 8-7 season record.