JACKSON – The Mendenhall Lady Tigers used a 46-20 scoring edgein the paint against Lawrence County Friday night. That propelledthe Simpson County-based felines to a 58-46 win over the LadyCougars in the girls consolation game of the Division 6-4ATournament at Forest Hill’s Shellie M. Bailey Coliseum.

Forest Hill captured the girls title with a tough-as-nails 72-68win over the McComb Lady Tigers.

The opening round of the South State 4A girls playoffs beginMonday, with all game times set for 7 p.m. Lawrence County travelsto Division 8-4A champion Bay St. Louis.

Mendenhall travels to Division 8-4A runner-up Poplarville

McComb hosts Region 8-4A third-seed Pearl River Central,with

Forest Hill welcoming 8-4A fourth-seed D’Iberville.

Mendenhall 58, Lawrence Co. 46

Mendenhall head coach Marilyn Coleman saw her ballclub leadingl3-6 after one period. They only scored 3 points in the secondframe, but managed to take 16-14 lead into the halftime lockerroom.

LCHS (15-13) could not get anything going from the field, as theLady Cougars were unable to slow down Mendenhall in the paint. TheLady Tigers kept a double-digit lead throughout the secondhalf.

“We did not defend the inside post play well tonight,” said LCHShead coach Vicki Rutland.

For the Lady Cougars, Tyra Griffin and Alexandria Harris eachtossed in 13 points. Harris was tops off the backboards with 8rebounds. Griffin had 3 assists and 4 steals. Tiaria Griffin andTaylor Brister dished out 2 assists apiece. LCHS had only 12turnovers in the game.

The Lady Tigers were led by Raven Hubbard with 21 points and 8rebounds. Kemekia Bullock and Kyesta Robinson had 11 points apiece.Tiffany Williams dropped in 10 points and 7 rebounds. Robinson had3 steals and 3 assists.

Forest Hill 72, McComb 68

The Lady Patriots (26-3), ranked second in the state, werepowered by Amber Byrd’s 18 points. Bianca Powell and Porsha Wilsonpumped in 14 points apiece. Dandy Dozen senior forward CourtneyMarbra had 11 points for head coach Tommy Groves, who is in his37th year at the Jackson-based school.

The Lady Tigers (21-6) got a game-high 22 points fromsharp-shooting senior guard Portia Craft and 20 points fromShanekqua Bibbs. McComb is under the direction of AngelaJohnson.