COLUMBIA – Columbia swept a Region 7-4A basketball doubleheader from Lawrence County Friday night. In girls’ action, Tony Woody’s Lady Wildcats won a wild, see-saw affair, 66-49, by outscoring Lawrence County 27-7 over the last 6 minutes.

The boys’ game saw LCHS trim a big Columbia lead down to 5 points early in the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats pulled away to a 79-68 win.

Columbia’ boys, also coached by Tony Woody, improved to 6-0 in region play and 18-4 overall. The Wildcats largely won the game in the second quarter, when they outscored the Cougars 27-7 to open a 15-point halftime lead. Lawrence County scratched and clawed back to within 66-61 early in the final period, but Columbia pulled away after that.

The Wildcats employed an incredibly balanced scoring attack. Tharen Woodson led the way with 18 points, followed by Daniel Jackson, who had 15. Javon Barrett scored 14 points. Edward Forbes and Jakkwon Allen tallied 13 each.

Pat Bridges’ Cougars fell to 11-9 overall, and 3-3 in the region. They were led by Brandon Daniels, who scored 21 points. Freshman Phillip Moore added 13, and fellow freshman Gabriel Lewis had 11.

Columbia 66, LCHS 49

The girls’ game was a strange one, with Columbia jumping to a 19-6 first quarter lead. The Lady Cougars started out ice cold. For the next two quarters, Vicki Rutland’s girls battled and battled their way back, finally taking the lead early in the fourth quarter. The Lady Cougars increased that lead to 3 points (42-39) with 6:10 left in the game.

After that, the wheels totally came off on Lawrence County. Columbia shot the lights out over the final 6 minutes, and the Lady Wildcats’ high-pressure defense, which the Lady Cougars handled fairly well for most of the game, finally took its toll. It all added up to a runaway Columbia win.

Woody’s Lady Wildcats improved to 11-11 overall, and 2-4 in Division 7-4A play. Columbia senior Radejah Woodson, one of the area’s top players, poured in 33 to lead the Lady Wildcats. Kierra Oatis and Carmen Perry had 14 each.

The Lady Cougars, who had beaten Columbia 60-59, 17 days earlier, fell to 10-10 overall, and 3-3 in the division. Brittany McDuffey led LCHS with 15 points. Tiana Dampeer and Shayla Kees added 10 points each.

LCHS returns home Tuesday to take on Tylertown. Columbia will host South Pike.