MEADVILLE – As rivals go, the North Pike Jaguars and theFranklin County Bulldogs know a lot about each other. As Tuesdaynight went, the Bulldogs introduced something new to the mightyJaguars in a Kenly Bonds highlight show which gave Franklin Countythe upper hand 48-36.

In the varsity girls game, North Pike kept Franklin perfect bywhipping the 0-18 Lady Dawgs 82-59.

The Dawgs (7-11, 5-4) knew the stakes were high coming into thegame as both teams played for position in the highly contestedDivision 7-3A. Franklin came into the game in a third place tiewith Wilkinson County while North Pike entered sixth.

“Every division game is big,” said Bulldog coach Chris Jordan.”And tonight’s was a must win.”

Franklin had every ingredient going for them in the first halfbut hitting back-to-back buzzer beaters to end the first and secondquarters. The Dawgs also forced North Pike to turn the ball over 11times in the half which led to a Bulldog 35-14 halftimeadvantage.

“We played good in the first half,” added Jordan. “But in thesecond half, I didn’t like how we played. We couldn’t score or makethe plays. We hod four points in the fourth quarter with most ofour starters in.”

Jordan’s anger was highlighted by a 10-point run midway throughthe fourth quarter when North Pike cut the lead to 44-36 off treysfrom sophomores Glover Quinn and Clay Shepard.

Just when the Jags looked to be in position for the comeback,Jordan inserted 6-4 senior center Kenly Bonds who all but put thefinishing touches on the Summit-based Jags by collecting an alleyhoop and slamming it home as the buzzer sounded.

“I knew we weren’t about to lose this game,” said Bonds afterthe game. “I kept saying if I get the ball I’m going to close thisone out for myself.”

Bonds did that by collecting 11 points, 10 boards, 4 blocks andtwo steals. The Dawgs were led by junior guard Bobby Henderson witha game-high 12 points, 5 rebounds, three assists and twosteals.

Leading North Pike was Shepard with 11 points and twoassists.

In the girls game, North Pike and Franklin both struggled fromthe start. The Lady Jaguars led 19-18 after one and 37-24 at thebreak.

In the second half, the Lady Jags began to pull away. The LadyJaguars outscored Franklin 45-35 en route to the victory.

Sabrina Ard led North Pike with 19 points.

“We blew our chances after the first quarter by turning the ballover and making costly mental mistakes,” said Lady Dawgs coachAlbert Cain. “We’re just going to have to regroup before JeffersonCounty comes in here Friday night.”

Yolanda Felton led Franklin County and all scorers with 21points.