LC hoopsters sweep Mendenhall, Brookhaven games scratched

The Lawrence County High Cougars and Lady Cougars swept a basketball double-header from Mendenhall last Tuesday at the LCHS gymnasium. It was the first girls/boys double-header of a coronavirus-ravaged early season and the very first game for Pat Bridges’ Cougars.
The Lady Cougars, coached by long-time mentor Vicki Rutland, pulled away from Mendenhall with a big third quarter and needed every bit of that lead in the end, as Mendenhall battled back furiously. Lawrence County won, 37-35, to improve to 2-1 on the season.
In the boys’ game, LCHS jumped out to a 21-4 lead. Mendenhall joined the battle after that, but the Tigers could never get any closer than eight points in what turned out to be an 11-point Cougar win, 65-54. Thus, the Lawrence County boys start the season at 1-0.
A Friday-night date at Brookhaven was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. That is likely to be a recurring theme this winter, as most of the high school basketball season will be played before much of the U.S. population is vaccinated against the virus. Vicki Rutland, who doubles as the Lawrence County High athletic director, discussed the challenges that basketball programs all over Mississippi, and much of the nation, will continue to face this season.

Read the full story in the Dec. 16, 2020 E-Edition