By Brad Greer

Just as in the first meeting between the two teams last month, the South Panola- Lafayette County boys basketball game came down to the wire Monday with the visiting Commodores pulling out a 60-58 victory.

Lafayette County (2-8) led 60-54 at the 1:08 mark  missed seven straight free throws in the final minute that allowed South Panola to pull within two at 60-58 with 35 seconds remaining in the game.

After two missed free throws by Tylen Hinds with seven seconds showing on the clock, South Panola’s JaMicheal Ford drove to the basket but was fouled as time expired.

The junior guard went to the foul line looking to sink two shots that would have send the game into overtime but the front end of a one-and-one opportunity bounced off the rim thus giving the Commodores the victory.

J’Tavian Hicks and Keith Cole paced South Panola with 11 points each while Eldridge Brooks provided 10 points and three rebounds. Hicks, who also pulled down five rebounds, tied the game at 47-all with a break away jam off of a fast break, fouled out with 3:13 left in the fourth quarter.

South Panola led 42-41 at the end of three quarters before Stephon Isom’s three pointer gave Lafayette a 50-47 lead. Isom led all scorers with 18 points,16 of which came in the second half.

Ford had nine points and three steals for the Tigers as Stanwon Porter, Thad Kirkwood and Terry Bishop garnered three points each. Winston Winfield, Markevious Vaughn, Trae Ellis and Issac Sturdivant all chipped in two points.

Lafayette Co. (Girls) 77

South Panola 47

The Lady Commodores showed why they are the No.1 ranked 5A team in the state by easing past the Lady Tigers.

Azariah Buford and Mariah Holland combined for 47 points as Lafayette Co.(11-0) led from opening tip to finish.

Bailey Ware paced South Panola with 12 points while Marshala Doyle followed with 10. Crystal Mayes provided eight points for the Lady Tigers in defeat. Ladayshia Robinson chipped in with seven with Aziya McGhee and Teddera Patton added three each. Kaniya Ford ended with one point.

South Panola swept both games in junior varsity action with the Lady Tigers winning 22-13 while the boys edged the Commodores 33-29.

McGheyla Patton led the charge with six points while Kierston Clark registered five. Comiah Bryant and Nahriah Connor contributed with four points. KeAmber Jackson provided three points.

Marquez Pryor and Trea Ellis led the way for South Panola with eight points apiece. Zylan Pitts garnered five points while Christian Bobo and JaMorris House supplied four each.

On Tuesday, J’Tavian Hicks poured in 21 points as the South Panola Tigers blew open a close game at halftime to take a 70-53 road victory at Desoto Central.

Hicks was one of three players scoring in double figures as the Tigers evened their record at 3-3 on the season. Eldridge Brooks added 17 points in the win while Stanwon Porter garnered 10 points.

Other scorers included Keith Cole with seven points, Issac Sturdivant with six, Markevious Vaughn(four) and Jamichael Ford with three points.

Desoto Central gained one victory as the varsity girls slipped past South Panola 50-44.

In junior varsity action, the South Panola boys dropped a touch 36-35 verdict as the potential game-winning three-point shot rimmed out at the buzzer.

JaMorris House garnered eight points to lead the Tigers. Christian Bobo, Zylan Pitts and Marquez Pryor all contributed with six points. Trea Eills added five points.

South Panola returns home tonight as they host Hernando beginning at 4 p.m followed by hosting North Delta Monday with a pair of junior high games tipping off at 4 p.m