By Gail Janotta
Correspondent
With Friday’s commanding 66-43 win over visiting Lawrence County in the regular season finale, the North Pike Lady Jaguars enter next week’s Region 7 4-A tournament as the No. 2 seed.
The tournament will be held at Columbia.
South Pike enters the tournament the No. 1 seed by virtue of a tiebreaker. The Jaguars and Eagles drew a first round bye.
North Pike got some unexpected motivation shortly before tip-off.
“We found out just before the game that we had lost our best offensive players, Zana McCray to an ACL injury. She suffered the injury in Tuesday’s game with South Pike,” Golmon said. “I think the kids responded and wanted to play well for her.”
North Pike finished Friday’s game with four players scoring in double figures.
Tatyana Turner led all scorers with 20 points. Rickera Martin had 17 points, while Rachel Thompson had 16 points and nine rebounds. Nicole Jefferson chipped in 10 points, but had 17 rebounds. She also contributed four assists, five steals and four blocks.
“Martin and Turner hit some big 3’s for us tonight,” Golmon said. “They are both good at making good, open shots. You have to guard them close. Those two players don’t see a shot they don’t like.”
Turner said she was pleased with her performance.
“I thought I had a pretty good game tonight,” Turner said. “It was my best scoring game of the season. I think we have finally come together as a team and that’s a good thing heading into the tournament.”
The Jags led 20-11 at the end of the first quarter, 36-21 at halftime and 46-32 at the end of the third quarter.
After halftime, the Lady Cougars scored two quick baskets. Golmon called time out to settle his players with just under 7:00 left in the quarter.
“Lawrence County kind of made a little run early in the third quarter, “Golmon said. “We turned the ball over three consecutive times and I called time out and just told the team to be patient.”
With both teams playing stout defense, Turner gave North Pike a 40-26 lead with less than 3 minutes left in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Martin’s trey gave the Jags a 49-32 lead.
Lawrence County’s Dakendra Collins missed three shot attempts under the goal, but got the rebound a fourth time and was fouled. Collins made one of two of her free throws.
Lawrence County went into a full court press that gave the Lady Jags some trouble.
North Pike took its biggest lead of the night at 53-33, with 5:00 left in the game.
The Jags dominated the final minutes to secure the victory.
North Pike defeated Lawrence County 60-55 in their first meeting in early January.
“I am really proud of our effort tonight,” Golmon said. “We had good practices all week following Tuesday night’s emotional game at South Pike.”
For Lawrence County, Brittany McDuffey finished with 18 points and Tiana Dampeer finished with 13 points.
The Lady Cougars finished the regular season at 12-13, 5-5 in district and enter the district tournament the No. 3 seed. They face Purvis on Tuesday.
North Pike improved to 16-7, 9-1.
Jags fall 87-73 in overtime
Lawrence County held off North Pike 81-73 in overtime. Regulation ended with the game tied 63-63.
Trailing 62-58 in regulation, North Pike’s Jalen Jackson stole the ball from Lawrence County’s Brandon Daniels and passed downcourt to Xavius Turner, who nailed a trey from the top of the key. The bucket got the Jaguars to within 62-61 with 16.6 seconds left.
After a time-out, the Cougars in-bounded and Devin Abram quickly fouled the Cougars’ Keith Davis. Davis converted one of two free throws for a 63-61 lead for the Cougars.
Jackson tied the game on a drive to the basket. He was fouled on the play, but missed the free throw with 15.3 seconds left.
Daniels missed a shot from the free throw line to send the game into overtime.
Jackson and Colton Magee fouled out in the OT.
Abram’s trey in the OT quickly put the Jags up 66-63. Daniels answered with a 3-pointer of his own.
Lawrence County’s Gabe Lewis connected on another trey to put LCHS up 73-66 with 1:45 left in overtime.
Jackson cut the lead to 75-71 with 48 seconds left in overtime. Jackson fouled out with 11 seconds left and the Jags trailing 77-73.
“We ran out of gas. Not physically, but depth-wise. Having a couple foul out late really hurt us,” Russ said. “It’s hard to continue coming back when you put yourself in a big hole. I have to commend our players for having the heart to come back and tie the game (in regulation).”
Russ said height also was a factor.
(Lawrence County’s) height definitely made a difference in the game tonight,” Russ said. “(LCHS) got a lot of second and third shots in the game.”
Jackson led North Pike with 19 points. Xavius Turner finished with 18 and Abram had 14.
Daniels led Lawrence County with 19 points. Davis had 16 and Phillip Moore had 14.
Russ said it was unfortunate for his seniors to lose on Senior Night.
“I hate it for our seniors,” Russ said. “I wanted them to go out with a win. But to look at the bigger picture, if we can get a victory Tuesday, we can start a playoff run.”
North Pike is expected to face Lawrence County again in Tuesday’s first round of the Region 7-4A tournament at Columbia.
Lawrence County defeated North Pike 66-49 in the first meeting in January.
The Cougars improved to 13-12 overall, 5-5 in district. North Pike fell to 11-12 overall, 4-6 in district.
Seniors recognized included cheerleader Jessica Milley and managers Shymira Barnes, Jasmine Martin and Roneisha Sibley.
Lady Jaguars honored were Jasmine Kennedy. Jefferson and McCray. Jaguar boys recognized were Frank Matthews and Jeremiah Thompson.
