The Pope County Pirates topped the visiting Hardin County Cougars basketball team by a final score of 50-33 in Friday's league game.

In their next game, the Pirates face the Carrier Mills-Stonefort Wildcats (Carrier Mills, IL) in a Greater Egyptian game, on Tuesday, January 17. Pope County will attempt to move on its 12-7 season record. The Wildcats enter the game with a 1-14 record after their 61-43 league loss to Norris City-Omaha-Enfield (Norris City, IL).

With the defeat, Hardin County moves to 4-12 on the year. The Cougars host Gallatin County (Junction, IL) to face the Hawks in a Greater Egyptian game on Friday, January 20. The Hawks enter the game with a record of 6-11.