HAWESVILLE -- If you were one of the many people who left at halftime of the Lady Cougars' final game of the season at Hancock County last Friday evening, you need to know you missed a great game.

With the girls playing the second game of the boy/girl double header, many people decided not to stick around for the rest of the game. They missed it as the Lady Cougars (12-12) used a smothering defense to totally shut down Hancock County (11-12) in the third period and take control of what had been a close game and Grayson County won its final regular season game easily, 75-49.

The Lady Cougars trailed for much of the first quarter, but grabbed a lead with two minutes left in the second period. They led by just two points, 31-29 at the half.

Beginning in the third quarter, though, Grayson County turned up the defensive pressure, trapping the length of the floor and forcing the Lady Hornets into turnovers and missed opportunities that turned into points for the Lady Cougars.

In all, Hancock County turned the ball over 11 times in the third period and the Lady Cougars turned them into 15 points. Hancock had 15 empty trips during the period and Grayson County outscored the home team 30-4 to take away any doubt about the outcome.

Grayson County scored 21 straight points opening the third quarter, with Lee Ann Wood and Laura Downs scoring eight apiece during the run. Wood scored hers on three layups and two free throws, while Downs hit back-to-back three-pointers and followed that up with a layup off an assist from Tiffany Clemons.

Wood had her most productive game of the season, finishing the night with 20 points. Her teammates were finally able to get her the ball in position for her to work to the basket, something that has not happened a lot this season.

The Lady Cougars' leading scorer, freshman Brittany Bird, had a tough shooting night, but did finish with 13 points, 11 of which came in the first half.

Lady Hornet senior Tina Gomez had a fine outing in her last home game, leading her team with 17 points.

Downs, Clemons and Cindy Langley all finished the night with eight points, while Molly Beeler had seven. Tasha Farris had five points, while Jara Vega Velez and Alex Powell had two each.

Heather Baxter and Rebecca Meredith finished with one point apiece to complete the Lady Cougar scoring.