Lawrence County swept a varsity basketball double-header from North Pike Tuesday evening.

Vicki Rutland’s Lady Cougars were behind for much of the night, but caught up and pulled away in the fourth quarter, winning 39-32. Pat Bridges’ boys had a much more eventful night, eventually winning 75-71 in double overtime after an Alijah Martin half-court heave at the buzzer rallied North Pike to a 64-64 tie at the end of regulation.

Cougars 75, Jaguars 71

In the boys’ contest, Lawrence County had an 11-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, only to see North Pike rally to take over on Martin’s 3-point play with 40 seconds remaining. The Jaguars led 61-60. Lawrence County grabbed the lead right back seconds later when a Darrell Newsome basket made it a 62-61 game. 

With three seconds remaining, Lawrence County’s Triston Peyton hit 2 clutch free throws to give the Cougars a 64-61 lead. However, the Cougars’ hopes for victory in regulation were derailed by Martin’s half-court buzzer-beater that tied the game at 64-64 and sent it into overtime. 

It was a huge night for Martin, who also excels as the Jaguars’ football quarterback. He scored 29 points and almost single-handedly kept North Pike in the game. K.J. Nobles, the only North Pike starter that didn’t eventually foul out of the game, finished with 21 points.

The first overtime period was dominated by poor free throw shooting by both teams. Nobles made the only field goal of the period, as each team scored just three points. By the start of the second extra session, Keith Russ’ Jaguars were almost out of players. Five North Pike players fouled out, including four Jaguar starters. 

In the second overtime, against a depleted North Pike lineup, Lawrence County’s

Newsome scored six points to propel the Cougars to victory. Newsome had a huge night, with 25 points and nine rebounds. Near the end of regulation, Newsome also drew a huge charging foul against North Pike’s Kevin Evans. 

Kederrius Gordon added 15 points for the Cougars, and Triston Peyton had 10. Defense was a key for Lawrence County. Lightning-quick point guard Reggie Statham had eight steals and defensive specialist Josh Earl had six.

With the win, the Lawrence County boys improved to 3-5 on the season, while North Pike fell to 3-4.

Lady Cougars 39,

Lady Jaguars 32

The girls’ game was a defensive slugfest featuring two stout, veteran teams. North Pike held a slim lead for most of the night, as cold shooting and 21 turnovers hampered Lawrence County. The Lady Cougars caught up and tied the

game at 26 after three quarters.

The final tie of the game was at 28, one minute deep in the fourth quarter. After that, Lawrence County had its way, going on an 11-2 run over the next five minutes to put the game away. North Pike’s leading scorer, Janeisha McCray, fouled out early in the fourth quarter. The Lady Jaguars converted just one field goal after that. 

Camryn Davis led Lawrence County with nine points and a whopping 14 rebounds. Six of Davis’ nine points came in the fourth quarter. Kyunna Thomas and Bailey Baylis scored seven points each, and Thomas pulled down 10 rebounds.

Amari Davis led Laura Holman’s Lady Jaguars with 10 points. McCray tallied seven points before fouling out. 

With the win, Vicki Rutland’s Lady Cougars improved to 7-1 on the season. North Pike fell to 4-3.

Lawrence County and North Pike will both be at home tonight. Lawrence County hosts Magee, while North Pike plays host to Brookhaven.