McCOMB – Quickness on the offensive and defensive ends of thebasketball court played a huge role in Tuesday night’s Division6-4A match-up between McComb and Lawrence County at the McCombgym.

The green-and-gold clad hosts swept a pair from LCHS. The LadyTigers garnered a 56-33 win over the Lady Cougars, while the Tigersgot by the Cougars 64-53.

McComb defeated Lawrence County 38-32 in the preliminary JV boysgame.

Lawrence County travels to Prentiss Friday.

McComb 56, Lawrence Co. 33

The Lady Tigers (10-10, 3-1) stayed in the defensive passinglanes all night long. They converted numerous Lady Cougar turnoversinto layups, picking off 20 LCHS passes. Head Coach CarolynWhitehead’s team held a 13-3 lead at the end of the firstquarter.

The Lady Cougars (4-12, 2-1) got 3 treys from senior guardRonesha Garner in the first half, but LCHS trailed 27-9 at theintermission break. Garner finished the game with 19 points (6treys), 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists.

“We got some good looks at the basket, but we just could not putit in,” said Lady Cougar head coach Jennie Vance.

McComb got a huge output from guard Samantha Felder in thethird, as she pumped in 13 of her game-high 27 points. Felder alsohad 16 points off of 8 steals. The Lady Tigers led 44-27, headinginto the final quarter.

LCHS got support from sophomore forward Jasmine Courtney with 10points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Cande’L May had 2 steals and 4assists. Erical Bryant had 11 rebounds and blocked 4 shots. CortoyaBarnes had 7 boards.

McComb 64, Lawrence Co. 53

The Cougars (15-2, 2-1) were without the services of theirleading scorer, David Clark. He suffered a lower left leg injurythis week, and his status for the next several games isuncertain.

“We missed David tonight,” said Cougar head coach Bobby Lee.

McComb (17-2, 3-1), the defending 6-4A tournament champion, usedits speed, quickness and outside shooting throughout the night. TheTigers entered the second quarter with a 13-7 lead.

LCHS got a career-high 27 points from senior Justin “JP” Lewis,with 8 each coming in the second and fourth periods. He also had 7rebounds and 3 blocked shots, but the Cougars trailed 33-25 athalftime.

The Tigers used a 21-10 third frame, to take a 54-35 lead intothe final stanza. Senior guard James Morris pumped in 7 of histeam-high 18 points in the period.

“They (McComb) shot the ball extremely well,” said Lee, the deanof Division 6-4A coaches. “We need more consistency from ourguards. Our guards did not shoot well.”

With the Tigers leading by as many as 25 points in the secondhalf, McComb relaxed. LCHS cut its deficit to 5 points on severaloccasions late in the game, with Tigers subs on the floor.

“Our quickness and athleticism has been our key this year,” saidTiger head coach Hilton Harrell.

After a Tiger timeout, Harrell reinserted his starters andMcComb authored the 11-point victory.

Harrell’s ballclub got support from reserve Roteddrick Cottonwith 12 points, followed by Demarion Addison and Eric Mitchell with10 points apiece.

Aiding in the Cougars’ cause were Justin Middlebrook with 9points (3 treys). Craig Tyler had 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.Ray Collins had 6 assists. Dominique West dished out 4 assists andhad 2 steals.