By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The LaGrange Grangers used a stingy defensive effort to secure a much-needed region win.

Facing the visiting Central-Carroll Lions on Saturday, LaGrange came away with a 53-39 victory to snap a four-game slide.

The Grangers (11-9 overall) improved to 3-4 in Region 5-AAAA.

“We did a good job defensively,” LaGrange head coach Mark Veal said. “We played well. We stuck with the game plan.”

Senior Jordan Ogletree led the offensive effort with 21 points, and Earley Sanders scored 11 points.

“We were patient on offense,” Veal said. “We didn’t shoot particularly well, but we were patient and had good looks.”

As for Ogletree, Veal said “we adjusted some things and put him in a better position to score. That helped.”

With Ogletree scoring seven points, the Grangers had a 12-9 lead after the first quarter, and they were ahead 26-17 at the half.

The Lions found a little more offensive success in the third quarter with 13 points, and the Grangers’ lead was down to 36-30 as the final quarter began.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Grangers, though, who outscored the Lions 17-9 to win going away.

OF NOTE: For more photos, check out Facebook.com/LDNSports