JACKSON — The Lawrence County versus Jim Hill boys matchup wasthe featured bout Friday night in the Jim Hill Gym. It was for thetop-seed in the upcoming Division 6-4A Tournament, which tips offTuesday at Lawrence County. The host Tigers garnered the No. 1 seedwith a 71-40 knockout of the Cougars on Senior Night.

The Jim Hill Lady Tigers thrashed the Lawrence County LadyCougars 74-29.

The Lawrence County girls finished the regular season 4-21overall and 2-10 in the division, while Jim Hill improves to 15-12and 7-5. The Lawrence County boys fall to 22-4 and 9-3, while JimHill moves to 17-11 and 10-2.

Both schools play in the Division 6-4A tournament Feb. 15-18, atMonticello. On Tuesday, the No. 7-seed Lady Cougars play No. 2-seedBrookhaven Tuesday, at 5 p.m. The No. 2-seed Cougars meet No.7-seed South Pike, at 8 p.m.

Jim Hill 74, Lawrence Co. 29

The Lady Cougars came out of the starting gate in aflurry. Junior guard Kenyactha Meyers and sophomore Cande’L Maycombined for 8 points, as Lawrence Co. raced out to an 11-4first-quarter lead.

The Lady Tigers would answer the call in a big way. JimHill, coached by Jackie Ross, went on a 25-0 run to start thesecond period. Center Sherrion Thomas scored 14 of her game-high 21points in the spurt. Ross’ squad held a 29-14 lead at theintermission.

LCHS, coached by Jennie Vance, scored their 3 points inthe final 30 seconds of the half. Freshman Casey May scored on abasket, and Meyers hit a free throw.

Jim Hill continued its scoring prowess in the third.Guard Nickethia Williams tossed in 10 points as the Lady Tigerswent on a 27-2 run in the third; leading 56-18 entering the finalframe. Williams finished the game with 12 points, while NeAishaAnderson added 13.

The Lady Tigers held LCHS senior Roneasa Garnerscoreless. Garner came into the game averaging nearly 17ppg.

Meyers paced the the Lady Cougars with 10 points. Garnerhad 6 rebounds, and Erical Bryant pulled down 5 boards. Cande’L Mayhad 2 assists.

LCHS committed 32 turnovers, while forcing Jim Hill into20 miscues. The Lady Tigers outrebounded the Lady Cougars40-19.

Jim Hill 71, Lawrence Co. 40

The Tigers, known for their long-distance shooting, didnot disappoint the 900-plus in attendance. Behind the blazingshooting of senior guard Sollie Norwood, Jim Hill entered thesecond quarter with a 15-3 advantage. Norwood sacked a pair oftreys in the period and finished with 33 points.

Lawrence County’s scoring came on a basket and a freethrow by senior forward Justin Lewis.

Jim Hill continued their mastery of the long distanceshot in the second. Norwood canned 2 more treys and had 13 pointsin the period, as head coach Fred Harris saw his team entertain a39-20 lead at the intermission break.

The Tiger defense limited LCHS senior center David Clarkto only 4 points, on a pair of second quarter baskets. Clark, whocame into the game averaging over 26 ppg, had torched the Tigersfor 42 points on Jan. 18 in Monticello.

“Jim Hill did a good job defensively on David,” saidCougar head coach Bobby Lee. “They (Jim Hill) shot the lights outtonight.”

Harris said that Clark would be the key to thegame.

“We knew that we had to stop Clark to have a chance,”said Harris. “Sollie (Norwood) came through for us tonight.”Norwood’s total included 7 treys.

Lewis led the Cougars with 19 points, 16 rebounds and 2blocked shots. Clark had 5 rebounds and 4 blocked shots, including3 in a single Jim Hill possession. Ray Collins tossed in 10 pointsand dished 4 assists. Victor Longino had 3 assists and grabbed 8boards.

The Cougars made 20 turnovers, while Jim Hill had only9. LCHS held a 38-27 edge in rebounding.