PRENTISS — Lawrence County senior center David Clark returnedfrom a single-game absence to help lead the Cougars to a resounding71-32 win over the Prentiss Bulldogs Friday night. Clark, whomissed Tuesday’s McComb with a leg injury, came off head coachBobby Lee’s bench with a game-high 22 points, including 3 treys anda variety of feathery, short-range jumpers.

The Prentiss Lady Bulldogs authored their initial win of theseason with a narrow 50-46 win, despite a game-high 29 points fromLady Cougar Ronesha Garner.

Lawrence County hostS Jim Hill Tuesday for 3 games, beginningwith a junior varsity boys game at 4:45 p.m.

Lawrence County 71, Prentiss 32

The presence of former Bulldog great Al Jefferson was surelyfelt in the Prentiss Gym by the nearly 400 in attendance.Jefferson, who skipped college, was a first-round pick of theBoston Celtics in last summer’s NBA draft.

Prentiss (7-9) did not have an answer for the Cougar’s JustinLewis in the post area or David Clark and Justin Middlebrook on theperimeter.

Lewis, a 6-foot-4 forward, outscored the Bulldogs by himself inthe first half 20-16. Lawrence Co. (16-2) led 20-6 after one periodand 36-12 at the intermission break. Lewis finished the game with21 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.

Middlebrook sacked 3 treys for 9 points, along with 3 steals and5 assists.

Bulldog head coach Lonnie McLemore subbed players throughout thenight but to no avail. His ballclub would not match the offensiveand defensive intensity displayed by the Cougars.

Lending support for LCHS were Ray Collins with 7 rebounds, 4steals and 5 assists. Dominique West had 2 steals and 5 assists.Clark had 6 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and 2 drawn charges. CraigTyler had 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

Prentiss was led by Kelton Daniels with 9 points.

Prentiss 50, Lawrence Co. 46

This game was a lot closer than the score indicated. There were9 ties and 11 lead changes in the game. The largest lead by eitherteam was 5 points, by Lawrence Co. on 2 separate occasions.

The Lady Cougars (4-13) were down 8-7 at the end of the firstquarter but led 18-16 at the halftime break. Garner, a 5-foot-7senior guard, scored all 18 first-half points for head coach JennieVance.

LCHS got balanced scoring for Garner, Brittany Sherman, EricalBryant Jasmine Courtney and Cande’L May in the third period. Theycombined for 18 points as the Lady Cougars carried a 2-pointadvantage, 36-34, into the final frame.

Lady Bulldog Kierra Davis came to life in the second half. Davistossed in 10 of her team-high 18 points in the third frame with 8points coming on 4 offensive putbacks. Deandrea Griffith iced thegame for head coach Wanda Ard in the final seconds by canning4-of-6 free throw. Prentiss took advantage of several LCHSturnovers

“Despite the loss, we played well tonight,” said Vance. “We didnot give up. We did not turn the ball over a lot.”

The Lady Cougars committed a season-low 10 turnovers whilePrentiss had 13 miscues. The Lady Bulldogs outrebounded LCHS 42-41,with a 21-13 edge on the offensive end. Prentiss had 10 offensiveputbacks compared to 4 by Vance’s squad.