Sports Writer

BRUNDIDGE -If the three point shot has revolutionized the game of basketball, then no further proof was needed more than Friday night’s game between Pike County and Barbour County.

Trailing by three points midway through the third quarter, the Jaguars hit five consecutive three pointers before coasting to a convincing 77-63 victory over the Bulldogs before a packed house at Bulldog Gym.

The Jaguars (5-1), who came in as the No. 10 ranked team in the Alabama Sportswriters Class 2A Poll, fell behind 41-38 with 6:13 left in the third period on a three pointer by Pike County’s Reggie Griffin. However, the game quickly got away from the Bulldogs as LaKeith Person and Antonio Thomas each hit a pair of three pointers to give the Jaguars a 57-45 advantage with 3:21 left in the period. Barbour County finished the quarter outscoring Pike County 19-8 in the final 6:13 to take control of the game.

The Bulldogs cut the deficit to seven points at 59-52 but couldn’t get any closer as Barbour County hit several free throws down the stretch and Pike County missed numerous close shots to put the game away.

The game got off to a simulating start as both teams shot the ball extremely well coming out of the locker room. Thomas and Person scored eight points apiece pacing the Jaguars to a 21-19 lead at the end of the opening stanza.

In the second quarter, the Bulldogs went on a mini 8-2 run to take a 27-23 lead over the Jaguars before Barbour County went on a 15-0 run to take a 38-27 edge with two minutes left to play in the half. A rare point trip at the end of the quarter kept the Bulldogs in the game as they trailed 38-33 at the half.

Person led all scorers for the Jaguars with 24 points including a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line. Other top performers included Tyrone Boykin scoring 15 points and grabbing four rebounds while Thomas contributed 12 points and Michael Blackburn contributed nine points in the winning effort.

Shermondre Jackson led the Bulldogs with 22 points, while Tyrone Boyd contributed 13 points and Marquez Foster collected nine points. Griffin had eight points in a losing cause for the Bulldogs (2-6).

Barbour County 55 Pike County 39 (girls)

Bertha Ross scored 18 points as the Barbour County Lady Jaguars handed the Pike County Lady Bulldogs a 55-39 setback at Bulldog Gym Friday night.

The Jaguars led only 22-20 at the half, but put together a strong third quarter outscoring Pike County 17-9 to extend to take a 39-31 lead going into the final period.

In the fourth quarter, Pike County cut the deficit to six before the Jaguars went on a 12-3 run down the stretch to put the game away.

Wennica Foster scored 19 points, while Marla Boykin and Dee Dee Rogers each scored seven points in a losing cause.

Barbour County improved to 5-1, while the Lady Bulldogs dropped to 3-6 on the season.

Wetumpka 44 Pike County 39 (boys)

At Wetumpka on Thursday night, Pike County dropped a 44-39 decision to the the 5A member Indians.

Jackson led the Bulldogs in scoring with 14 points, while Foster and Boyd each had seven points in a losing cause.

The Bulldogs were plagued by poor free throw shooting as they finished 4-of-14 at the charity stripe

Wetumpka 47 Pike County 41 (girls)

Tenesha Sanders scored 13 points to lead a balanced attack as the Wetumpka High School Lady Indians defeated the Pike County Lady Bulldogs 47-41. The loss snapped Pike County’s two-game winning streak as the Lady Bulldogs dropped to 3-5 on the season, while Wetumpka earned its first victory.

Marla Boykin led all scorers for Pike County with 22 points while Wennica Foster poured in 12 points for the Lady Bulldogs.

The Lady Bulldogs return to action on Tuesday night when they face Dothan in the first round of the Northview Girls Holiday Classic. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. on the Northview High School campus in Dothan.

The Bulldogs return to action

this Wednesday night when to travel to

Elmore County to participate in the Tallassee Christmas Tournament against Reeltown at 8:30 p.m. Pike County will also face Tallassee (Thurs. 7 p.m.) and Montgomery Lamp (Fri. 4 p.m.) in the round robin event.