FAYETTE &045; Don’t say the ‘C’ word. Sure, the Jefferson County girls are cozy in the driver’s seat for the division 7-3A title, but head coach Flora McKnight wants to wait until Friday before her Lady Tigers celebrate the ‘C’ word &045; championship.

The Lady Tigers got 18 points from Travalyn Smith to lead two other teammates in double figures, as Jefferson County had few problems with Hazelhurst Wednesday, 54-36.

&uot;We were ready to play tonight from the tip and performed with a lot of intensity,&uot; McKnight said. &uot;Most coaches say their offense is gelling right about now, but for us it’s the defense.&uot;

The Lady Tigers (17-5, 10-1 division 7-3A) held Hazelhurst to just 12 points the entire first half, as no Hazelhurst player reached double digits.

Aiesha Collins, Angelina Brown and Yashunda Williams each had 5 points to lead Hazelhurst in scoring.

&uot;I teach the defense because you can’t spell the word ‘team’ with the letter ‘I,’&uot; McKnight said. &uot;No one here is on an ego trip. Whether we win or lose, no one points a finger. They’ve bought into that.&uot;

Perhaps the only thing that went wrong for the Lady Tigers Wednesday was an injury to their starting point guard Shaterrica Hall.

Game-in and game-out, Hall usually shares the scoring duties with Smith. McKnight said Hall banged her knee in the third period and did not play the rest of the way.

McKnight hopes to have Hall back in time for Jefferson County’s showdown with North Pike this Friday. A win on the road will lock up the division title for the Lady Tigers.

&uot;If you can take care of business at home and do a decent job on the road, you’ll be all right,&uot; McKnight said. &uot;I’m so glad for my senior bunch. I’ve been hoping to send them out on a high note.&uot;

Hazelhurst boys 54, Jefferson County 51

A strong third quarter provided a lift for visiting Hazelhurst, who held off a fourth period rally from the Tigers for the win.

Jefferson County (10-12, 5-6 division 7-3A) outscored Hazelhurst in the three other quarters but the third, which the Tigers lost 18-9 and put Hazelhurst up seven, 40-33.

Steve Smith and Steven Smith led Hazelhurst with 17 points apiece, as Preshawn Lee chipped in with 11.

Dewones Smith had 25 for the Tigers.