MONTICELLO – Lawrence County swept North Pike in a Division 7-4Abasketball doubleheader Friday night. In girls’ action, VickiRutland’s Lady Cougars improved to 4-0 in the division with a 54-45win as Tiaria Griffin racked up 30 points. Antonio Batiste went offfor 33 points in the boys’ contest, as the Cougars beat the Jaguars88-79 in a fast-paced affair.

In the girls’ game, the two teams were knotted at 21-21 midwaythrough the second quarter when Lawrence County went on an 18-0 runthat carried into the middle of the third period. That run resultedin a 39-21 LCHS lead. After that, however, North Pike battled backand made a game of it, cutting the Lawrence County lead to 4points, before the Lady Cougars eventually won out.

“I’m happy that we won, and that we’re 4-0,” Coach Rutland said,”but I’m a little aggravated that it got as close as it did. I gavesome starters a quick blow late in the third, and it didn’t workout. I’m mad at myself and that we didn’t play better off thebench. Still a good win, though.”

Tiaria Griffin had 10 rebounds and 5 assists to go with her 30points. After she scored 13 in the first quarter, North Pike coachLance Golmon employed a “diamond-and-one” defense that slowedGriffin down a bit, but she still scored 17 points afterthat.

Mary Margaret McLaurin had 14 points for the Lady Cougars, whoimproved to 15-5 overall.

Kaylan Hughes led North Pike with 15 points, and Precious Jeffersonadded 14. The Lady Jaguars fell to 13-5 overall, and 1-3 in thedivision.

Lawrence 88, North Pike 79

In an incredibly fast-paced first half, the LCHS boys carved out a54-42 lead over Coach Keith Russ’ Jaguars. In the second half, theCougar lead got as large as 16 points, and shrank to as little as4, but Lawrence County never gave that lead up.

Coach Pat Bridges’ club improved to 12-8 overall, and 2-2 inDivision 7-4A play.

Antonio Batiste had 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists to leadLawrence County. Coupled with his 29-point outburst at South Pikeon Tuesday, Batiste enjoyed the best week of his LCHS career.

“It’s been a good week for us,” Coach Bridges said. “T-Tony(Batiste) and David (Haynes) have carried the scoring load, but alot of players have contributed to these two wins. We’ve got atough week ahead of us, but I like the attitude and effort of ourteam.”

David Haynes had 18 points, several of them on thundering,crowd-pleasing slam-dunks, plus 6 rebounds and 4 assists. JuanWilliams continued his hot shooting from 3-point land, scoring 11points.

Devin Abram led North Pike with 21 points. LeMichael Quin had 19and Jeremick Jordan had 17. The Jaguars fell to 8-9 overall and 2-2in the division.