By Myra Bean

Though many people had some time off for the holidays, the local varsity basketball teams were busy playing in tournaments over the holidays.

The No. 4 Clarion-Ledger ranked South Panola Lady Tigers kept their undefeated record in tact at 12-0 after playing and winning four holiday games. Friday and Saturday, the Tiger teams participated in the Cleveland Tournament and the boys and girls won their respective divisions.

The Lady Tigers defeated Ray Brooks Friday night 75-21 and turned around and defeated hosts Cleveland in the championship round Saturday,  67-42. With these two wins by the big margins, head coach Ralph Stallings gave the girls Monday off from practice. Scoring in double figures in both games were Vetorra Cole and Chasity Kearney. Cole scored 22 points Friday and 19 points Saturday.

The Tiger team defeated Ray Brooks 68-47 Friday and Cleveland 60-56 in Saturday’s championship game. Rico Keys scored 34 points for the Tigers on Friday, followed by Antonio Jones with 12. Saturday, Keys scored 16 points, followed by Quen Robinson with 15 points.

The Tiger teams return to regular action tonight, hosting Grenada in non-district action. The ninth grade boys will play at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity girls. Friday, South Panola will travel to Starkville for district games beginning at 6 p.m.

North Panola

Following action in the holiday tournament, the North Panola Cougars will be on the road for two games this week.

Tonight the Cougars will be in Marks to take on Palmer in non-district action. Friday, the Cougars will be in Tunica to face Rosa Fort in district action.

The Lady Cougars are 8-4 overall, 2-2 in district to start the new year. The boys are 7-10 overall, 1-3 district.

North Delta

The North Delta Green Wave will start off the season with a district matchup with Delta Academy of Marks today at home. Games will begin with the seventh grade girls at 3 p.m.

The varsity Lady Green Wave ware 12-6 following holiday tournament action and the varsity boys are 7-4.

A makeup game with Calhoun Academy will be played Thursday night at North Delta beginning at 4 p.m. The junior high boys and girls and varsity girls will play. Calhoun has no varsity boys team.

Batesville Jr. High

Batesville Jr. High will sponsor a BJHS Elite 8 Tournament featuring eighth grade girls and boys only on Saturday, January 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Girl games will be played at Batesville Jr. High and the boys at South Panola High School gymnasium.

NP JR. High

The North Panola Jr. High team resumes regular season action by hosting Charleston Thursday at 5 p.m.