Easley is 8-2 against Pickens since November of 2018, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Easley Green Wave will head out on the road to square off against the Pickens Blue Flame at 6:00 p.m. Both teams come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Last Tuesday, Easley was able to grind out a solid victory over Greenville, taking the game 39-26. The victory was just what Easley needed coming off of a 52-28 defeat in their prior match.
Easley's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Olivia Gramblin led the charge by scoring 15 points along with two steals. Gramblin continues to roll, besting her previous point total in each of the last three games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Kimbel Leach, who scored two points along with six rebounds and five assists.
Meanwhile, Pickens faced Greenwood in a battle between two of the state's top teams. Pickens had just enough and edged Greenwood out 38-36. The victory made it back-to-back wins for Pickens.
Ava Owens and Maggie Chambers were among the main playmakers for Pickens as the former scored 13 points along with six steals and the latter dropped a double-double on 15 points and 17 rebounds. Owens is absolutely dominating the steal category: she's posted at least two every time she's taken the court this season. Sadie Claire mckinney was another key contributor, scoring seven points along with eight rebounds.
Easley's victory bumped their record up to 7-10. As for Pickens, they pushed their record up to 14-2 with that victory, which was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season.
Easley won a contest that couldn't have been any closer in their previous matchup back in February of 2023, slipping by Pickens 39-38. Will Easley repeat their success, or does Pickens have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
