TYLERTOWN – Lawrence County and Tylertown split  a Division 7-4A basketball doubleheader on Friday night. Tylertown In girls’ action, Vicki Rutland’s Lady Cougars handled Tylertown by a score of 59-42.  After that, the Tylertown boys defeated Lawrence County 52-39.

LCHS 59, Tylertown 42

     In the girls’ game, Lawrence County bolted to a 21-point (27-6) first half lead, only to see Tylertown cut the margin to 10 midway through the third quarter.  After that surge, LCHS pulled away to secure its second straight division win. 

     Brittany McDuffey led Lawrence County with 18 points, and Tiana Dampeer added 12.  Cheltzie Brown had 8 for the Lady Cougars, who improved to 9-7 overall, and 2-0 in Division 7-4A play.

     “Aside from one little lull in the third quarter,” Rutland said, “I thought we had a good night.  It’s good to be 2-0 in the division.  Having a good post-season run is always our goal, and we need a good division seed to put ourselves in position for that.

     “We’ve still got eight tough division games to go.  Tuesday night at South Pike will be a major challenge.”

     The Lady Chiefs, coached by former long-time McComb mentor Carolyn Whitehead, fell to 2-14 and 0-2 with the loss.  Alicia Fortenberry scored 20 points, all in the second half, to lead Tylertown.  Xaviera Ashley, the youthful Lady Chiefs’ only senior, added 14.

Tylertown 52, LCHS 39

     The boys’ game was a dandy and remained tight until midway through the fourth quarter.  In the end, Tylertown pulled away to a comfortable win.  Coach Jeremy Harrell’s Chiefs improved to 12-3 overall, and 2-0 in the division. 

     Xavion Dillon, Tylertown’s 6-foot-7  senior, led the Chiefs with 17 points. Jermarrion McElveen added 14.  The Chiefs’ large front line challenged every Lawrence County shot, blocking many, and forcing a low shooting percentage. 

     “I thought our guys played awfully hard,” said Lawrence County coach Pat Bridges.  “Tylertown has a very good team, and we were in the game until the last few minutes.  Obviously, we need to finish, to play a full 32 minutes.”

     Lawrence County fell to 8-8 with the loss, and 0-2 in the division.

     Brandon Daniels directed the Cougars with 15 points.