MONTICELLO – Lawrence County and South Pike split a Region 6-4A basketball double-header Tuesday night at Lawrence County High School. The South Pike girls, the top-ranked 4A team in Mississippi, improved to 18-2 with a 56-42 win over the host Lady Cougars. Lawrence County won the boys’ game 60-40.

Vicki Rutland’s undermanned Lady Cougar team gave it a good fight. South Pike led just 24-22 at the half. The Lady Eagles outscored Lawrence County 20-8 in the third quarter and pulled away for the win. LCHS was without injured starters Jada McDuffey and Haven Johnson.

Nakaylis Washington led South Pike with 16 points, 14 of which came in the decisive second half. Moriah Hurst added 11 points, and energetic point guard Tomia Mitchell netted double figures with 10.

Camryn Davis led Lawrence County with 12 points and five rebounds, despite being slowed by a stomach virus. DeNeisha Dickson added 11 points and was able to draw four charging fouls against South Pike players. Freshman Shania Harris had nine points, and Zipporah Baylis had eight points, five rebounds, and three steals.

South Pike, coached by Janice Felder and Cavadas Nunnery, improved to 18-2 overall, and 3-0 in Region 6-4A play. Lawrence County fell to 11-8 overall, and 0-3 in the division.

Lawrence County was in control of the boys’ game for most of the way. Pat Bridges’ Cougars led 16-6 after one quarter, and 35-17 at the half. Phillip Moore had 16 points and four assists to lead LCHS. Keyshawn Feazell added 15 points and eight rebounds. A.J. McLaurin contributed 13 points and five rebounds. Gabriel Lewis netted double figures with 10 points.

South Pike, coached by Gary Brumfield, was led by center Tavorious Williams, who had 12 points. Jaquarius Lewis added 10 points.

Lawrence County improved to 11-7 overall, and 2-1 in Region 6-4A play. The win was the Cougars’ third in their last four games. On Monday, LCHS edged Jackson Academy 59-57 in the annual “Shootout in the South” at Mississippi College. In that game, Keyshawn Feazell led the way with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Gabriel Lewis and Phillip Moore had 12 points each.

Lawrence County will travel to North Pike on Friday. South Pike will travel to McComb.