MONTICELLO – Lawrence County swept a Division 7-4A basketballdoubleheader from South Pike Friday night in the LCHS gymnasium. Ingirls’ play, Coach Vicki Rutland’s Lady Cougars trailed for most ofthe game, then exploded in the fourth quarter for a 72-54 win. Inboys’ action, Coach Pat Bridges’ Cougars earned a 70-58 win.

Though they ended up with an 18-point win, the heavily-favored LadyCougars had a tough time with Coach Janice Felder’s youthful LadyEagles. South Pike had double-digit leads in the first half, andstill led, 44-43, through 3 quarters. LCHS exploded in the fourth,however, outscoring South Pike 29-10 in the period.

Tiaria Griffin led Lawrence County with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and4 assists. Mary Margaret McLaurin had 16 points, with 12 of themcoming in the decisive fourth quarter. Taylor Brister added 14points.

“We played a very good fourth quarter,” said Rutland, whose teamimproved to 18-7 overall, and 7-1 in the division. “But we didn’tdo much prior to that. South Pike is a very young team, and theydid a great job both times we played. They’re about to become aforce in 4A basketball.”

Akayla Powell led South Pike with 21 points. Just one senior sawaction in the game for the Lady Eagles.

Lawrence 70, South Pike 58

In the boys’ game, South Pike jumped to a first quarter lead, onlyto see Lawrence County take over in the second quarter. It wasstill a close game until late, with Lawrence County pulling away inthe final two minutes.

Sophomore forward Brandon Daniels led the Cougars with 22 points, 6rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocked shots. David Haynes added 17points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Jonterrio Evans and AntonioBatiste also hit double figures, with 12 and 10 points,respectively.

Lawrence County improved to 5-3 in the division, having won 5 of 6Division 7-4A games after starting 0-2 in league play. The Cougarsare 15-10 overall.

Joe Taylor’s Eagles fell to 11-10 overall, and 3-4 in the division.Deangelo Coleman led South Pike with 17 points. Brison Robinzinescored 12, with 8 of them coming in the first quarter, when theEagles jumped to an early lead.