MENDENHALL — The Lawrence County Cougars participated in thePeople’s Bank Showdown (boys only) at the Mendenhall gym Fridaynight.

The Cougars, behind a game-high 25 points from David Clark,smashed the Morton Panthers 72-40; improving their record to 10-1on the season.

In a 9th grade boys game, Mendenhall defeated Lawrence County38-35. Brandon Middlebrook led the Cougars with 14 points.

Host Mendenhall beat Puckett 67-58.

Lawrence County returns to action Dec. 30, hosting the LawrenceCounty Round-Robin Tournament. The Mendenhall girls meet Brookhavenat 3 p.m., followed by the boys game at 4:30. The Lawrence Countygirls play Franklin County at 6, with the Cougars and Bulldogs setto tipoff around 7:30.

Lawrence County 72, Morton 40

The Cougars (10-1) led from start to finish. Their defensivepressure resulted in numerous baskets off of Panther turnovers.Clark, a 6-foot-6 senior, sacked a pair of treys in the opening 8minutes. LCHS led 18-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Cougar guard Ray Collins, who had a game-high 9 assists, fed histeammates throughout the game for easy baskets. Head coach BobbyLee saw his squad entertain a 33-13 lead at the intermission.

The Panthers (6-14), coached by Steve Cannon, outscored theCougars 17-13 in the third. Guard Shay Hodge scored 8 of histeam-high 18 points in the period.

Morton’s Panthers found themselves trailing 46-30 heading intothe final stanza.

Clark also had 14 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists. Collins had3 steals. Craig Tyler had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

LCHS’s defense forced Morton into 21 turnovers, to the Cougars14. Lee’s team outrebounded the Panthers 39-21.

Mendenhall 67, Puckett 58

The Tigers (11-2) got 22 points from Reco Daniels and 14 fromDarrell Johnson. The Wolves were led by Wilbert Lee with 22 points,followed by Jonathan Cameron with 14 and Dontel Ealy with 13.