SUMMIT – Turnover were the order of the day for Lawrence Countyin Day 2 of the North Pike Classic Monday night. In their seasondebut, the Cougars committed 36 turnovers, thus falling to theNorth Pike 72-66. The Lady Cougars kept their game close with theTylertown Lady Chiefs, before succumbing to a 50-40 defeat in theNorth Pike gym.

Lawrence County travels to Tylertown Thursday and North Pikevisits Brookhaven Nov. 6.

North Pike 72, Lawrence Co. 66

The Cougars (0-1) made half of their 36 turnovers in the firsthalf, including 19 in the opening 8 minutes. LCHS head coachPreston Wilson was not pleased with his teammates’ effort.

“You can win, when you commit that many turnovers,” said Wilsonin his second year at the Monticello-based school.

“We made a lot of careless mistakes out there.”

North Pike fostered 17 of their 33 miscues in the first 16minutes. They trailed 13-11 at the end of the first quarter, and29-27 at the halftime break.

“We were fortunate to lead by 2 at halftime, with that manyturnovers,” Coach Wilson commented prior to the start of the secondhalf.

The Jaguars (1-1) responded with a 25-12 third quarter. AlbertMatthews and Phillip McCray were the catalyst, turning numerousCougars turnovers in easy baskets. North Pike head coach Keith Russsaw his ballclub carry a 54-39 lead in the final stanza.

LCHS attempted to rally in the fourth, garnering several 3-pointbaskets. The Cougars would come no closer than 6 points, at 64-58with under 4 minutes left in the game.

Matthews and McCray led all scorers with 25 points and 11rebounds apiece. Mamud Kased added 13 points, 2 assists and 4steals.

McCray dished out 4 assists.

Leroy Fifer led the Cougars with 20 points, 13 rebounds, 4steals and 2 assists. Freshman Devon Mills had 12 points.

The Jaguars outrebounded LCHS 38-30, including a 16-15 edge onthe offensive end.

Tylertown 50, Lawrence Co. 40

The Lady Cougars (1-1) and Lady Chiefs (1-1) were in a virtualdeadlock in the first half. LCHS led 11-10 after one period, and20-19 at the intermission. Both teams would shoot under 30 percentin the opening 16 minutes.

“We competed well in the first half,” said Lady Cougar headcoach Vicki Rutland. “We were worn down in the second half. Webegan to commit too many turnovers. We got careless.”

Tylertown, coached by Tabitha Gardner, outscored LCHS 31-20 inthe second half for the win. Octavia Bearden tallied 16 of hergame-high 20 points in the half. She also had 8 rebounds.

For the Lady Cougars, Samantha Showers led the way with 10points and 5 rebounds. Fiere Brown dished out 3 assists and had 3steals.

LCHS held a 21-16 rebounding advantage. Tylertown had 15turnovers, compared to 20 by the Lady Cougars.