By Myra Bean
The South Panola Tiger boys had a halftime lead over Tupelo but fell behind in the third quarter and could not catch up.

Tupelo downed South Panola 53-47.

“They pressed us the whole game,” Tiger head coach Charlie Howard said. “We couldn’t get set up and going. They kept us out of our norm. We played scramble basketball all night long.”

Tiger top scorers Rico Key and Antonio Allen found themselves in foul trouble with four each which limited what the Tigers could accomplish on the floor, according to Howard.

The Tigers were also beset with 13 turnovers on the night.

At the half, South Panola led 21-18. Tupelo came out hot hitting in the third quarter and took a 41-36 lead going into the fourth quarter. Fourth quarter was a battle for both teams as Tupelo managed to hang onto the lead and outscore the Tigers 12-11 for the win.

Scoring for the Tigers were Antonio Allen, 17 points, five of five free throws, six rebounds; C.J. Raynor, 10 points, three rebounds; Kennon Draper, 10 points; Kerrion Moore, seven points; and Key, three points, one rebound.

The Tigers played Charleston in a non-district rematch Monday night, but the score was not available at press time.

The Tigers will be playing in the Durant High School 2007 Invitational Basketball Tournament this weekend. Thursday, the Tigers will take on Durant at 8:15 p.m. Friday, South Panola and Williams-Sullivan will play at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, South Panola and McAdams will play at 4:30 p.m.

The teams will be off for Christmas and play in the Northwest Mississippi Basketball Expo hosted by Northwest Community College in Senatobia, December 27 through 29.