MONTICELLO – Host Lawrence County was a big winner in boys’ play Monday in the first day of the 2-day Cougar Thanksgiving Basketball Classic.  In the final game of a long day of basketball, Coach Pat Bridges’ Cougars handled old rival Mendenhall by a score of 60-45.  Earlier in the evening, Wayne County’s boys defeated the Ole Brook Panthers, 58-47. 

     The host Cougars never trailed Mendenhall, which was playing its first game of the season.  LCHS stretched its lead to 20 points in the second half, ultimately winning by 15.  Ten different Cougars got into the scoring column for Lawrence County.  Glenn Russell, Jr. led with 12, and Brandon Daniels had 11.  Daniels scored 9 of his 11 in the first five minutes of the game.  The Cougars sizzled from the free throw line, hitting 24 of 30 attempts. 

     Anthony Simmons almost single-handedly kept Mendenhall in the game.  He scored 22 of the Tigers’ 45 points. 

     “I liked our effort,” said Bridges, whose Cougars improved to 6-1 on the season.  “We’ve still got a long way to go on our half-court offense, and we must cut down on our turnovers, but we’ve generally been pretty fortunate.  It’s been a good start to our season.”

Wayne 58, Brook 47

     Brookhaven’s tough night started with the absence of head coach Preston Wilson, who is battling the flu bug.  Still, the Panthers gave it a competitive, hard fight, against perennial 5A powerhouse Wayne County. 

     Brookhaven’s Khalil Newton and Wayne County’s Derrick Thompson shared scoring honors, with 20 points each.  Don Lewis added 13 points for the War Eagles, who improved to 5-0.  Wayne County is coached by Donald Norman.

     The War Eagles owned a 35-26 halftime lead. 

     Brookhaven fell to 4-3.  The Panthers and host Lawrence County will close out the tournament with an 8:30 game tonight.  Brookhaven handled the Cougars, at BHS, last Saturday night, winning 74-53 in the BHS Invitational.