By Ike House
The Cougars hosted a familiar team on Friday playing against Water Valley in their second matchup this season. The results were similar to the last matchup where the Lady Cougars lost in overtime and the Cougars had a blowout win.
The Lady Cougars started off slow only scoring eight points. Both teams struggled to get anything done offensively.
In the second quarter the Lady Cougars fell behind as they only scored six points while the Lady Blue Devils took off, taking the lead scoring 11 and led going into the half 21-14.
After the half the Lady Cougars woes continued as they could only muster five points, falling behind even more as they could not get things done. The Lady Blue Devils forced several turnovers in the third and seemed to run away with the game taking a 29-19 lead into the fourth.
In the final quarter both teams lit it up from the field as the Lady Cougars scored 21 points in the fourth to tie the game at 40 with five seconds remaining in regulation. With the final possession in the hands of the Lady Cougars they failed to score before the buzzer and forced overtime.
In the extra period, the Lady Cougars only scored once from the floor off a three pointer by ShaQuanta Pettis but it was not enough as the Lady Cougars fell 48-45.
Leading scorer for the Lady Cougars was Pettis with 19 points. Others scorers include QuiTonya Webster, nine points; Kenya Edwards, LaErica Spann and Jasmine Mays; four points each; KiTyra Webb, three points; and Shan Clark, two points.
NP boys 57, WV 24
In the boys game things went a little different. The Cougars won 57-24.
In the first quarter, the Cougars started off slow scoring 14 points. Jamarcus Jones led with eight points.
In the second the Cougars had their highest scoring output of the season with a burst of 26 points. They pulled away from the Blue Devils and held defense only giving up six points. Darrell Young shined in the quarter scoring 14 points. The Cougars led 40-13 at the half.
In the third quarter, play remained the same. The Cougars outscored the Blue Devils 10-7 to take a 50-20 lead into the final stanza.
In the fourth quarter, the Cougars ran the clock and only put the ball in the basket three times for seven points.  
Leading the Cougars in scoring was Darrell Young with 20 points.
Other scorers include Jamarcus Jones, 10 points; Tremayne Madlock, seven points; Ankeyvias Harris, six points; Kenneth Jefferson, five points; Demetrick Moor, four points; Sylvonta Oliver and Demetrick Porter, two points each; and Deshaun Smith, one point.
The Cougars are off for a few days and will resume action Friday in Marks at M. S. Palmer at 5 p.m. with the jr. varsity boys game.
Saturday, the Cougars will host Grenada beginning at 4 p.m. with the jr. varsity girls game.