MEADVILLE – After hanging with Class 5A powerhouse NatchezTuesday night, the Franklin County Bulldogs knew they could playwith just about anyone they encountered.

Friday night the Dawgs proved that point by bombing Division6-3A rival Hazlehurst 64-38. In the girls contest, the Lady Indiansparalyzed Franklin County 67-31.

The Dawgs (7-6, 2-0) blasted the Indians (5-9, 1-1) with anearly 18-4 deficit after one period of action, off the hot hand ofsenior power forward Grant Rogers.

In the second frame the Dawgs went to their combo guard tandemof Demetrice Weathersby and Kedric Covington for quick, numeroussteals and assists, they led 35-11 halftime lead.

Franklin County senior guard/forward Logan Jones kept the Dawgshumming in the second half with crowd-pleasing dunks and acrobaticshooting.

In the fourth quarter Bulldog head coach Chris Jordan subbed inhis reserves to savor the 64-38 smashing.

“We played real well tonight,” Coach Jordan. “Seventeenfast-break turnovers hurt us. “

The Dawgs were led by Rogers with 17 points, 13 boards, foursteals, three assists, and two blocks.

Jones chipped in with 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists.Covington finished with 11 points, five assists, three steals, andtwo rebounds.

Bulldog senior center Darrell Brown had 10 boards on fourpoints. Weathersby added six assists, five points, five rebounds,and three steals.

For the Indians 6-4, center Gary Antrell lead the way with 12points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. Gary finished with ninepoints, five rebounds, and four assists.

In the girls contest, Hazlehurst adjusted theirDivision 6-3A record to 2-0 under to powerful shooting from seniorforward Lotoya Denham.

Denham scored six of her game high 23 points in the firstquarter, as the Lady Indians led 14-12.

In the second quarter, the Lady Indians began to pull away asDenham overwhelmed the Lady Dawgs with mutiple rebounds andput-backs.

Trailing 38-20 going into the third quarter the Lady Dawgslooked their senior standout Carletta Brown for an answer. Browndid what she could, providing numerous steals and layups. The Dawgstrailed 43-28 after three.

In the final frame the Indians upped the tempo with several longrange bombs, to secure their 67-31 win.

“We’re happy to win,” said first-year Lady Indians coach FredaCraft. “This was a good game for us.”

Leading the Lady Indians was Denham with 23 points, ninerebounds, and four steals. Lady Indian forward Naketa Colemanchipped in with 18 points on three rebounds.

The Lady Dawgs were led by Brown with 17 points, four steals,four assists, and four rebounds. Sophomore center Kim Smith hadfive points on seven rebounds.

In the junior varsity boys game the Bulldogsoverpowered the visiting Indians 40-30.

Franklin County guard Bobby Henderson led the attack with 14points, four assists, and three steals. Sophomore center AnthontyWilcher chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds, six blocks, and threesteals.

Franklin County resumes play after the Hoildays in the annualLawrence County Round-Robin Tournament on Jan. 4.

GIRLS

Hazlehurst 67, Franklin County 31

Hazlehurst (67) Lotoya Denham 23, Coleman 18, Collins11, Richardson 7, Sandifer 6, Hope 2.

Franklin County (31) Carletta Brown 17, Smith 5, Brooks3, Gant 3, Gills 3.

Total fouls: Hazlehurst 10. Franklin County17.

Free Throws M-A: Hazlehurst 12-22. FranklinCounty

1-5.

3-point goals: Brooks, Brown, Collins, Gant,Gills.

Hazlehurst 14 14 5 24 – 67

Franklin Co. 12 8 8 3 – 31

BOYS

Franklin County 64, Hazlehurst 38

Franklin County (64) Grant Rogers 17, Jones 16,Covington 11, Wilcher 6, Weathersby 5, Brown 4, Green 3, Henderson2.

Hazlehurst (38) Gary Antrell 12, Gary 9, Mason 4, Smith4, Jefferson 3, Banks 2, Coleman 2.

Total fouls: Franklin Co. 11, Hazlehurst 6.

Free Throws M-A: Franklin Co. 1-3. Hazlehurst4-12.

3-point goals: Covington, Gary, Green, Jefferson, Jones,Weathersby.

Hazlehurst 4 7 17 10 – 38

Franklin Co. 18 17 15 14 – 64