MENDENHALL-Mendenhall swept a Division 6-4A basketballdoubleheader from Lawrence County Tuesday night in Simpson County.In varsity boys action, the homestanding Tigers claimed a 75-65win, and in girls play, Mendenhall defeated Lawrence County by45-29.

Tuesday’s contest was Lawrence County’s fifth straight divisionroad contest as the Cougars and Lady Cougars have yet to play adivision game at home. Coach Preston Wilson’s LCHS boys, with theloss at Mendenhall, have survived their brutal road stretch with a3-2 division record. The Cougars are 13-6 overall.

“We had our chances,” Wilson said. “Every time we made a run, wejust couldn’t quite get over the top. We’d love to be 5-0,obviously, but we’re pretty pleased to be 3-2 after all these roadgames. We’re ready to play some at home.”

The boys game was a lengthy one, with the two teams combining toshoot a whopping 63 free throws. Mendenhall led for almost theentire game, but it was competitive to the very end. Mendenhallmade 12 of 17 free throws, in the final period, to hold the Cougarsoff.

The hot-shooting duo of Marcus Jenkins (23) and Lawanski Newsome(22) combined for 45 of Mendenhall’s 75 points.

Lawrence County place 4 players in double figures, a heartytotal. Unfortunately for the Cougars, the remainder of the teamchipped in just 6 total points. Oliver Peyton led LCHS with 23points. Dominique West added 15. Cayce Lee and Perrin Wells eachhad 10.

Both teams were fairly effective from the free throw line.Mendenhall hit 26 of 36 from the line, while Lawrence Countyconverted 18 of 27 from the charity stripe.

With the win, Coach Jeff Walker’s Mendenhall team thrust itselfright into the thick of the incredibly competitive Division 6-4Arace. The Tigers are now 3-2 in the division.

The Lady Cougars fell to 1-18 with the loss and0-5 in division play. Second-year coach Vicki Rutland was extremelypleased with the Lady Cougars’ effort. Rutland has seen her shareof basketball success, having won a state 4A championship atNortheast Jones. On Tuesday, according to Rutland, her rebuildingteam played one of its best games to date.

“The girls played hard,” Rutland said. “The intensity was therefrom start to finish. We actually played a pretty good game,definitely one of our best. We played a whole game of competitivebasketball.”

Fiere Brown’s 7 points led the Lady Cougars. Candice Littleadded 6, and Cande’l May had 5. Shirrell Black led Mendenhall with12 points. She was joined in double figures by Kemekia Bullock whohad 10.

Lawrence County will finally enjoy a division home game Friday,as the Cougars and Lady Cougars play host to Terry.