BRUNDIDGE — After Pike County’s 57-34 loss to Carroll on Wednesday, head coach Doug Branson asked the team to complete an assignment. The task was for each individual to turn in a written evaluation of his performance. Branson said the results were very similar.

The majority of the players listed a lack of intensity or execution as a reason for the team’s loss. The next assignment was to improve on those flaws in Thursday’s game against Ariton. The Bulldogs accomplished that early.

Pike County defeated the Purple Cats, 38-15, despite having a few players out due to illness.

The Bulldogs opened the game on a 17-0 run. Raheem Pearson started the scoring with a quick lay-in off the tip. Kamari Jackson followed with a three-pointer. Later in the quarter, Jerrel Lawson drained a three to cap the run.

Ariton, after being shutout in the first quarter, scored its first points on a pair of free throws with 7:45 to go in the half. Pike County did not allow a field goal until the 3:27 mark in the second quarter.

“We wanted to come out and put an emphasis on correcting the things we didn’t do well against Carroll,” Branson said. “I thought we got of to a good start, but we have to keep that intensity for all four quarters.”

The Bulldogs led 25-4 at halftime and things cooled off in the second half. Stevie Smiley converted a free throw after a basket to open the third frame. He would add another basket late to increase Pike County’s lead to 38-11.

Jackson led the Bulldogs with seven points.

Pike County improves to 6-7 on the season heading into the holiday break including a 1-0 area mark.

“Going into the break with a win is a lot better that going in with back-to-back losses,” said Branson. “We’re not were we want to be yet, but we’re getting there. Hopefully, we can get some rest and get healthy and come back strong for the second half of the season.”

The Bulldogs will take Zion Chapel in the 1st Annual Goshen Holiday Tournament on Dec. 27.

The Pike County girl’s team fell to Ariton, 47-15. Shana Lee led the Lady Dawgs with 10 points.

The girl’s squad will also play Zion Chapel in Goshen on Dec. 27. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m.