PICKENS—The Pickens High School girls basketball team could earn a share of the Western AAA title last Tuesday if they could somehow defeat Daniel, avenging a 15-point loss the Blue Flame suffered on the Lions home court earlier this season.

Trailing 29-17 at halftime, Pickens did not seem to be up to the challenge. But the Blue Flame fought back, outscoring the Lions in each of the final two quarters. Pickens’ comeback still was not enough as Daniel won 53-49.

Daniel’s Sherece Smith led all scorers with 19 –points. Allison Droddy added 10 for the Lions.

Kara Morgan led Pickens with 14 points. The Lions’ aggressive defense kept Morgan at the foul line for most of the night, where she connected on 10 of 12 attempts.

Chezney McJunkin added 12 points. Other Blue Flame scoring were Anna Hunter 7, Sunny Roach 6, Amanda Hayes 4, Caitlyn Wyatt 4 and Kelsey Robinson 2.

Both teams played Tuesday night in the first round of the state AAA playoffs. Results of those games were not available at press time.

Daniel played the winner of Monday night’s game between Greenville and Wade Hampton, since the two teams tied for four place in Region 2-AAA.

Pickens hosted Eastside Tueday night.

Second-round games in the AAA girls state championship tournament are set for Friday night.

The Daniel boys team finished their Western AAA season 10-0 and will host the fourth place team from Region 2-AAA Wednesday night.

The Easley boys basketball team won Region 1-AAAA with a 9-1 mark, and will host Mauldin in the first round of the state playoffs 7 p.m. Wednesday.