By Angie Ledbetter
The South Panola Tiger varsity basketball team dropped their season opener 52-50 on the road to Lake Cormorant.

The Tigers took an early lead in the first quarter outscoring the Gators 21-12. Junior Tiger Andre Gleaton led the way knocking down two three-pointers from the cover. Junior Cameron Brown made two baskets and two shots from the free throw line scoring six for the Tigers.  Keon Johnson made two field goals and a trip to the free throw line scoring five points. The two seniors, Howard Smoothers and Jordan Matthews, added two points each.

The Tigers had a 31-25 lead over the Gators at the half but it was the Gators who dominated the second half to edge past the Tigers.

Johnson scored 11 points, had six rebounds and was one of one from the free throw line. Matthews also put up 11 points, had seven rebounds, one steal and was one of three from the free throw line. Jordan Smith added nine points, five rebounds, one steal and was two for four from the line. Gleaton put up eight points, had six rebounds and was two of two from the line.
Brown scored six points, one rebound, one steal and two of two from the line.  Smoothers scored four points, had seven rebounds, seven steals and was zero of four from the line. Katrell Key contributed three points and was one of two from the free throw line.

Ernest Sanford had six rebounds and Terry Williams had one steal.

South Panola shot 64% from the free throw line. They had 38 rebounds, 11 steals and 13 turnovers.

The Tigers will play at home Tuesday night hosting Cleveland following the junior varsity games starting at 4 p.m.