Tushka — The cross-town rivalry between Tushka and Caney didn’t lack intensity. The Lady Cougars followed their momentum on the way to a 43-31 victory, and the Tushka Tigers beat Caney’s boys 69-42 in the nightcap. Caney will welcome Bennington to their gym tonight, while Tushka plays host to Stringtown with games beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Girls

The Lady Cougars went to Tushka looking to improve their record to 15-0, but the Lady Tigers were not ready to lay down and make it easy for them, and they proved that early, jumping out to an 8-6 first-quarter lead, behind four steals from Allyson Evans.

In the second-quarter, the Lady Cougars clamped down on the defense and with 3:30 to go in the first-half, Morgan Whatley hit both of her freebies to give Caney its first lead of the contest. At half-time, the Lady Cougars went to the locker-room after extending their lead to 16-12.

The Lady Tigers came out tough in the third frame, and about mid-way through it, Lariann Chambers hit a trey to tie the game at 17-17 but Caney would never trail in the second-half and outscored the Lady Tigers in every quarter after the first.

Coach Phil Daniel was happy with his team’s effort, but he wasn’t satisfied with the performance.

“I didn’t think we played or shot the ball real well,” said Daniel. “I don’t feel that we have peaked as a team yet, and I hope we do it at the right time because we have districts in about four weeks.”

The Lady Cougars were led by by Maci Crites, who had 11 points and seven boards, and Whitney Whitmire, who had nine points and five assists. Kassi Baughman chipped in seven points, including five, fourth-quarter free throws which helped seal the game.

Morgan Whatley led the team in rebounding as she pulled down nine to go along with six points. Shacole Smith also had six points and Ashley Lackey chipped in with four points and four steals.

The Tushka Lady Tigers were led by Lariann Chambers, with 14 points and eight rebounds while Evans ran the offense, chipped in eight points and grabbed six steals.

Brittany Daniel pitched in five points while Katelynn Cook and Kayla Wilhite had two points apiece.

Boys

Coach Brister’s Caney Cougars played Tushka tough in the first half as they went into the locker-room trailing by only six points.

However, Tushka began the second-half with much intensity and built their lead to 47-34 by the end of the third frame. Caney was not able to overcome the deficit, and eventually, Coach Pannel’s Tigers opened up a big fourth-quarter lead to seal the game.

The Tigers were led in scoring by big man Andrew Banker, who came away with a double-double, dropping in 20 points and pulling down 12 boards. C.J. Gregory also had a big game, hitting five treys to bring his point total to 15 while Trent Selby had 13 points and six dimes.

Freshman starter Josh Eaves also had a good game as he dropped in 12 points to go along with six boards and seven assists.

Lane Raulkenberry and Colby Faulkenberry added five and two points respectively, while Scott Brinkley rounded out the Tigers’ scoring with a free throw.

The Cougars were led by Aaron Chalk and Tim Taylor, who had 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Devin Harkey dropped in five points while Garrett Whatley and Charley Lee had three points apiece. Jon Springer rounded out the scoring with two.