MONTICELLO – The 2013-14 basketball season is proving to be a major rebuilding project at Lawrence County High for both the boys’ and girls’ teams.

That both LCHS squads are in the rebuilding mode was evident Friday night, when West Jones came to Monticello and took a varsity double-header from Lawrence County.

In girls’ action, Sharon Pendarvis’ Lady Mustangs jumped to a 20-1 first quarter lead and were never threatened, rolling to a 59-30 win. Zan Ratcliffe pumped in 23 points for the winners. MaRhonda Ratcliffe had 12.

Vicki Rutland’s girls returned only one player with appreciable varsity experience and that player, six-foot senior center Dakendra Collins, is currently sidelined with a knee injury.

Collins is Lawrence County’s leading scorer. Without her, the Lady Cougars are struggling mightily on offense. That was the case on Friday.

Deneisha Dickson led LCHS with eight points and Nikedra Brown added six. Latasha Rhodes and Dakashia Funchess each pulled down four rebounds. Haven Johnson had five points, four assists, and three steals. The Lady Cougars, who fell to 1-5 on the campaign, turned the ball over a whopping 35 times.

Pat Bridges’ Cougars, who are still looking for their first win, appeared poised to get that victory, at least until halftime. LCHS led 28-15 at the intermission, only to fall totally flat in the second half. Lawrence County, a team dominated by underclassmen, was outscored 39-14 in the second half of a 54-42 loss.

JaCorey Jones led West Jones with 19 points. Gaylon Pittman had 18 points and seven rebounds to power the Cougars. LaBrian Bass shared rebounding honors with seven. Freshman center Keyshawn Feazell had three blocked shots.

The Cougars fell to 0-5 with the loss.