MONTICELLO — No lead is safe until the game is over. Thatproved to be the case in a slowpitch softball gala Thursday nightbetween Division 6-4A rivals Brookhaven and Lawrence County.

For the second time in three years, the Lady Panthers capturedthe Division 6-4A championship on Cougar Field. Ole Brook held offa stubborn Lady Cougar squad 13-11.

Brookhaven also won division honors in 2002, and finishedrunner-up last year. Both teams have been the dominant programs inDivision 6-4A.

Lawrence County posted an 11-4 win over Brookhaven in the JVgame last night.

The Lady Panthers close division play Thursday, hosting McCombon Senior Night. Brookhaven and Lawrence County participate in theBrookhaven Tournament this Saturday at the Hansel KingSportsplex.

Brookhaven 13, Lawrence Co. 11

The Lady Panthers (22-2) continued their winning ways with their22nd consecutive victory. Ole Brook is ranked No. 6 by a Jacksonnewspaper.

Brookhaven and runner-up Lawrence County will host openinground, state-playoff series next week at their respectivefields.

“We won our last district championship here,” said Lady Pantherhead coach Lisa Covington referring to the 2002 crown. “It feelspretty good. I’m proud of all of the girls.”

The game was not secure until the final out, as Brookhaven led13-6 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Lady Cougars Jasmine Courtney and Emily Smith sluggedback-to-back homers. Maygan McCloud, Sonni Smith and Kaila Givensalso scored before Ole Brook got the final out to secure thewin.

Covington’s squad jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top ofthe first. Allyson Wallace had a 3-run homer that scored AshleySykes and Brittany Smith. Sykes and Smith both singled.

Lawrence County would take the lead at 5-3 in the third. TheLady Cougar plated a run in the second. Emily Smith highlighted thethird with a grand slam over the left field fence that also scoredEllie Fairburn, Rhianna Garrett and Jasmine Courtney.

“We made three costly errors,” said LCHS head coach Tarvey Ward.”We hit the ball with them, but the errors really hurt us.”

Emily Smith and Jasmine Courtney both homered twice. Givens,Courtney and McCloud had 3 hits apiece.

In the JV game, Brianna Ashmore led Brookhavenwith 2 singles and a run scored. Jana Wallace doubled and scored arun. Hannah Lowman singled and scored. Kelsey Freeman scored. KatieStewart, Casey Langston, and Sabrina Delaughter each singled.Ashmore suffered the loss.

Hits for the LCHS JV were unavailable.