MONTICELLO — Lawrence County’s Cougars continued their unbeatenstreak in Division 6-4A play Tuesday night picking up a pair ofwins over South Pike in the Lawrence County gym.

The Lady Cougars authored a 44-39 win over the Lady Eagles, ledby Ronesha Garner’s game-high 23 points. In the varsity boys game,the Cougars posted 3 players in double-figures to blow past theEagles 68-39.

Lawrence County travels to Jackson Friday to meet Wingfield in aDivision 6-4A test.

Lawrence Co. 44, South Pike 39

The Lady Cougars (4-10, 2-0) appeared on the verge of puttingthis one away early. Missed opportunities and turnovers help LCHSfind itsself trailing 8-7 heading the second quarter.

South Pike (2-11, 0-3) was outscored 13-5 in the second quarteras their points came on a trey and a pair of free throws byDominique Brumfield. She led the Lady Eagles with 12 points.

Lady Cougar Jasmine Courtney pumped in 9 points in the period asLCHS carried a 20-13 lead into the halftime lockerroom.

“Jasmine had a good game for us tonight,” said Lady Cougar headcoach Jennie Vance. Courtney, a 5-foot-6 sophomore forward,finished the game with 10 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals and 4assists.

The Lady Eagles, coached by Marcus Flippin, tried to rally inthe third quarter and outscored LCHS 14-11. South Pike trailed by 4points, 31-27, entering the fourth. Monique Bryant pumped 6 pointsin the period.

Flippin kept it close in the final 8 minutes but missed freethrows as turnovers cost South Pike a victory.

Garner was 9-of-11 from the charity stripe in the fourth as theLady Cougars managed a single basket from Garner. She also had 13rebounds and 5 steals.

“Any time you get a win, it feels pretty good,” said Vance. “Wehave got to do a better job of shooting free throws and cut down onthe turnovers.”

LCHS was 17-of-27 from the foul line in the game, whilecommitting 27 turnovers.

Lawrence Co. 68, South Pike 39

Guard play has played a major role in the Cougars’ success. Thesenior combo of Ray Collins and Justin Middlebrook, along withsophomore backup Dominique West, have been mixing up the offensewith timely scoring and good passing.

“Our guards have been playing well lately,” said veteran LCHSboys head coach Bobby Lee. “We have been getting some scoring fromthem, as well.”

Middlebrook sacked a pair of treys in the opening 8 minuteswhile Collins found Middlebrook, Victor Longino, David Clark andJ.P. Lewis on numerous passes for baskets. The Cougars (14-1, 2-0)entered the second quarter with a 17-10 lead.

Clark, the state boys player of the week in a Jackson-areanewspaper, pumped in 8 of his game-high 21 points in the secondquarter. Longino added 7 as the Cougars entertained a 28-16halftime advantage.

“South Pike played us hard tonight,” added Lee. “We just have tocontinue our good play.”

The Eagles (1-12, 0-3) could not get into an offensive flow.South Pike, coached by Joe Taylor, succumbed to the Cougars’defensive pressure and committed 20 turnovers. Philip Brown pacedTaylor’s squad with 14 points.

Lending support for the Cougars were Lewis with 10 points and 13rebounds, 5 blocked shots and 3 assists. Clark had 8 rebounds andblocked 3 shots. Collins and Middlebrook each had 5 assists.Middlebrook had 3 steals.