New Brighton Lions (New Brighton, PA) backers were in high spirits Thursday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the visiting Laurel Spartan (New Castle, PA), 44-34 in a non-league bout.

With the win, New Brighton upgrades its record to 3-5 on the season. The Lions travel to Riverside (Ellwood City, PA) to clash with the Panthers in a WPIAL 3A 1 bout on Wednesday, January 3. The Panthers go into the bout with a record of 2-6.

Next up, the Spartan clash with the Riverside Panthers (Ellwood City, PA) in a non-league bout, on Thursday, December 28. Laurel will attempt to upgrade on its 1-4 season record. The Panthers go into the bout with a 2-6 record after their 79-47 non-league loss to Union Area (New Castle, PA).