MEADVILLE — If size is a virtue and speed is an asset, theLawrence County Cougars could be well on their way to making a tripback to the Jackson Coliseum come March for the Class 4A StateChampionship.

Led by 6-5 senior David Clark’s 20 points and eight rebounds,the Cougars ambushed a strong and crafty Franklin County Bulldogsteam 49-38 Friday evening in Bulldog Arena.

In the girls game, the Lady Dawgs blitzed the Lady Cougars79-51, behind 27 points from junior forward Victoria Hunt.

The Cougars (9-1) wasted no time in a takingcharge, building a 13-8 advantage after one period of action offsteals and layups from Clark and senior teammate Justin (J.P.)Lewis. Lawrence County led 23-18 at the half.

In the third quarter the Cougars looked to Lewis and Clark againfor a rebounding and tip-in expedition. Lawrence led 37-28 goinginto the fourth quarter.

“I thought that we basically got out-toughed by them (LawrenceCounty),” said Franklin County head coach Chris Jordan. “They madetheir shots and we didn’t.”

Franklin (3-3) was outscored 12-10 in the final frame. TheBulldogs trailed 41-35 with five minutes to go when the Cougarsmounted a scoring spree.

Coached by Bobby Lee and assisted by Eddie Rails, the Cougarsare off to their best start since the 2001 campaign when LawrenceCounty last made it to the State Tournament in Jackson. The Cougarswon state three times in the early 1990s under Lee.

“They have a strong team,” added Jordan.

Lee’s group got an additional 10 points and 10 rebounds fromLewis. Craig Tyler added eight points and eight boards while guardRay Collins dished out four assists.

For the Bulldogs, 6-4 junior forward Marcus Tillman had ateam-high 15 points and six rebounds. Junior Wesley Brown added 11rebounds, 10 points, three steals, and three assists.

In the girls game, the Lady Bulldogs (6-1)jumped out to an intimidating 46-18 lead before Lawrence County(3-7) could regroup. The Lady Dawgs led 59-34 after threequarters.

Franklin added 20 points to Lawrence’s 17 in the fourth periodfor the final margin of victory. The Lady Dawgs were aided by 30Lawrence County turnovers in the contest.

Offensively, Franklin got 27 points, eight rebounds, and threesteals from Hunt. Senior point guard Tamera Gant added 12 points,while junior forward Shalena Wilcher collected 10 points and eightboards.

For the Lady Cougars, Ronesha Garner led with a game high 28points and three steals. Cande’L May finished with 13 points.

The Lawrence County girls will resume play Dec. 30 againstFranklin County in the Lawrence County Invitational. The Cougarstravel to Mendenhall Friday night to play Morton in the PeoplesBank Shootout.

Franklin County hosts North Pike in a Region 7-3A battle Fridaynight.