By Angie Ledbetter

Though the South Panola Tigers lost to Starkville in the 2-5A District Championship game, they qualified for the first round of north state action at Provine tonight at 7 p.m.

A week ago, the Tigers defeated the slam dunking team of the Starkville Yellow Jackets but Friday night’s rematch was different as they lost 51-40.

“Starkville just showed up as a totally different team on Friday night,” said Coach Charlie Howard. “We split with them during the regular season. One week ago we played them at home and we had a really good effort against them. The effort just wasn’t there Friday night. They weren’t ranked #1 most of the year for nothing.”

Howard said the difference from last Friday night’s game to this one had a lot to do with their coach on the other bench motivating them.

“He made sure that he played to their strength which was getting that ball inside against us and the outside shots. They’re so much more physical than we are. Man to man, we just could not jump with them.”

The Tigers started the game on a 7-0 run after Patrick Howard’s and Antonio Jones baskets and Rico Keys’ three. The Tigers were up 10-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The Yellow Jackets took control in the second quarter and the slam dunking began. Starkville outscored the Tigers 16-8. The Tigers were down 22-18 at the half.

The third quarter went in the same vein as the Tigers were down 37-26 at the end of the quarter.

Both teams put up 14 points in the fourth but it wasn’t enough for the Tigers to pull off the upset again.

Scoring for the Tigers were Kerrion Moore with 14, Rico Keys 9, Patrick Howard 7, Antonio Jones 4, Nick Brassell 4 and James Spraggins 2.

Scoring for the Yellow Jackets were Edward Townsel with 21, Jeff Jernagin 14, Rashad Perkins 14 and Bryce Braud 2.

The Tigers will travel to Jackson to take on Provine tonight at 7. Provine beat Greenville Weston 56-55 for the District 4-5A championship.

“I’ve gotten some scouting reports on Provine and to my understanding, they’re a real big team and a lot like Starkville,” Howard said. “They have got real good outside shooters and good size inside. It’s going to be a challenge for us.

“Any team is excited about going when they get beyond the division tournament. That’s your goal. The first step is to at least advance beyond the division. The second goal is to win that play in game and get a chance to go play in the north half tournament.”