By Myra Bean

The North Panola ladies (4-17 overall, 2-7 district) kicked it in high gear, but the Byhalia Indians got the last little nitro boost to win 45-42 Wednesday night.

The district games were postponed from Tuesday night due to expected inclement weather.

The Byhalia ladies jumped out to a 7-2 first quarter lead, but the Lady Cougars roared back and were down 7-5 going into the second quarter. On two free throws by junior point guard Angelica Davidson, the Lady Cougars tied the game at seven and went ahead 9-7 on a field goal by Anna Johnson.

That started a 10-0 run by the Lady Cougars to enjoy their biggest lead 15-7 with 3:49 left in the first half. North Panola held Byhalia scoreless until 2:15 left in the second quarter. However, Byhalia made good use of the time scoring seven points including a buzzer beater 3 to pull within 17-14 at halftime.

The Lady Cougars showed some improvement as they kept up the pace in the third quarter and took a 34-29 lead into the final stanza.

Byhalia held the Lady Cougars to one of their lowest scoring quarters, eight points, in the fourth. Byhalia scored 16 points and took the lead for good, 43-40, with 2:48 left in the game.

The Lady Cougars were not able to overcome the last minute power of the Lady Indians and fell in district play.

Lady Tiger Teariny Wheatley led all scorers with 16 points, followed by Candace Mottley with 11. Other scorers include Anna Johnson, 9 and Davidson, 6.

North Panola defeated Potts Camp 49-45 in the North Pontotoc tournament Saturday.

The Lady Cougars held a slight 17-15 lead at the end of the first quarter, but got hot in the second quarter and led 32-23. Both teams scored eight points in the third quarter.

Potts Camp outscored the Lady Cougars 14-9 to make a run and try to take the win.

Mottley led the Lady Cougars with 17 points, followed by Johnson with 10. Other scorers include Wheatley, 8 points; Darlyshia Ward, 6 points; Davidson, 4 points; and Takymdris Clay, 2 points.

North Panola Cougars

The Cougar boys had very little trouble with a Byhalia team that showed few signs of their past glory on the court with a 76-65 district win.

The final score was a last ditch effort by Byhalia to erase a 20-point lead the Cougars held through the two middle quarters.

At the half, the Cougars (11-9 overall, 5-4 district) led 46-30. With 1:11 left in the third quarter, North Panola had a 60-40 lead. Going into the fourth quarter, the Cougar lead was 62-43.

Four Cougars scored in double figures with Cameron Shorty leading all scorers with 21 points, followed by Ricky Hunt with 17, Kiwanis Bobo, 15 and Brandon Bagwell with 12. Other scorers include Terrance Turman six points and Darius Jackson with five to round out scoring.
Tonight the Cougars will host Water Valley in non-conference action beginning at 5 p.m. with the junior varsity boys games.