By Angie Ledbetter

The South Panola Tigers lost two of the last three district games to remain in third place.

On Friday, January 21 the Tigers defeated Columbus 36-34 on the road.

The Tigers had an 18-13 lead at the half after out scoring Columbus 9-6 in the first quarter. The third quarter went Columbus’ way as they out scored South Panola 13-7 for a 26-25 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Tigers rallied to out score Columbus 11-8 for the win.

James Watson scored 11 points; DeAndre Harris, 9; Jakerion Ales, 7; Jaylen Lee, 4; Chad Rudd, 3; and Carlton Howard, 2.

The Tigers hosted the No. 1 team in the district, Tupelo, Thursday night and fell 61-55.

The first quarter was a battle as the Tigers led 14-13 at the end of the quarter. The Tigers continued the battle in the second quarter outscoring Tupelo 18-14 for the 32-27 halftime lead.

The Tigers were in a scoring slump in the third quarter and were outscored 17-9 which swung the lead to Tupelo, 44-41.

 Both teams battled but it was Tupelo who out scored the Tigers 17-14 giving them the victory.

Ales lead the Tigers with 19 points and was three of three from the free throw line. Watson scored 13 and scored a perfect seven from the free throw line. Also scoring was Rudd, 13 points; Mataras Bobo and Lee, 4 points each.

The better known “district slam dunkers” from Starkville came to town Friday night and left with a  64-35 win over the Tigers. The Tigers never had a lead in the game.

Starkville jumped to an early lead scoring eight unanswered points before the Tigers got on the board. The Tigers got in the game and cut the lead 13-7 at the end of the quarter.

Starkville out scored South Panola 13-6 for a 26-13 halftime lead.

Starkville continued its domination in the second half outscoring South Panola 38-22 in the second half.

Scoring for South Panola were Ales, 11 points; Lee, 7; Harris, 6; Bobo, 5; Watson, 4; and Howard, 2.

Tupelo remains in first place in the district followed by Starkville, South Panola and Columbus, respectively.

The Tigers will be on the road tonight at Madison Central, following the girl’s game at 6 p.m.

They will be home Friday night when they host the Water Valley Blue Devils and celebrate senior night.