Lexington High School came on strong against North Augusta in the final couple of minutes Friday evening and helped hose down the visitors' bid for a win in both teams' first Region 5-AAAA girls' basketball game of the season.

North Augusta's Jasmine Coach led all scorers, pocketing 14 points in a 37-34 loss, as her squad slipped to 11-3 overall. Teammate Mallory Stone added 10 points, and Lexington countered with 10 points each from Janai Pinckney and Erin Munn.

"We struggled to score," said Jared Adamson, North Augusta's coach. "We didn't execute down the stretch. I give Lexington the credit. They executed their game plan well and made some big shots down the stretch.

"We've just got to do a better job of finishing the games and taking care of the ball when it really matters."

Adamson had seen his squad conclude pre-region play in style, playing host to Cross Creek Jan. 3 and winning 54-52. Cross Creek had tied the score with 12 seconds to go, and Jurrell Coach responded by sinking a jumper as the buzzer sounded to clinch the "W." The evening also included 12 points from Teanda Cunningham and 10 from Jasmine Coach.