The Pope County Pirates basketball team (Golconda, IL), was nudged 44-39 in Friday's league battle with the host Hardin County Cougars (Elizabethtown, IL)

The Cougars now possess a 6-9 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Gallatin County for a non-league battle on Saturday, January 27. Hardin County will confront a Hawks team coming off a 75-63 non-league win over Crab Orchard (Marion, IL). The Hawks record now stands at 10-13.

The Pirates (11-10) will now prepare for their battle against Crab Orchard (Marion, IL). The Trojans come into the non-league battle with a 13-7 record. In their last battle, Crab Orchard was nudged by Gallatin County (Junction, IL), 75-63, in a non-league battle.