By Brad Greer

One nail-biter and one blowout highlighted the first of two meetings on the basketball court between Batesville Junior High and Pope School Monday at Pope.

The Batesville 7th grade girls squad opened up the two game set with a 22-0 shutout off the Bulldogs. Janiyah Wright led the way with 12 points while Jakelseyah Flowers followed with eight. Justice Pope and McKenzie Sanford added two points each.

In boys action , Kristian Cole knocked down three free throws while Michael Johnson added a basket as the Batesville seventh grade boys slipped past Pope 14-9 in overtime.

Pope’s Julius Pope sent the game into overtime with a steal and layup that tied the contest at 9-9 with 2:04 left in the fourth quarter. Batesville had a chance to end the game but missed a free throw with no time remaining. Jerkin Gleaton had four points for the Bulldogs while Travis Blackburn added a basket.

Kellen Norwood paced Batesville with six points while Johnson adding five and Cole providing three. The two teams will meet again Dec. 6 at Batesville Junior High with tip-off slated for 5 p.m