By Myra Bean

North Panola boys head coach Dannis Jackson is looking for more consistent play from the team the rest of the season.

“We win two, we lose two,” Jackson said. “They are just learning the system and steadily improving each day.”

The Cougars (4-5 overall, 1-2 district) fell in district action to Center Hill on the road Tuesday night, 59-44.

The game was tied at 11 at the end of the first quarter. Center Hill had a seven point halftime lead, 29-22.

By the third quarter, Center Hill had pulled away 42-30 and out scored the Cougars 17-14 in the fourth quarter.

“The game was close,” Jackson said. “We couldn’t make lay-ups. We struggled to put the ball in the hole.”

Ricky Hunt led the Cougars with 20 points, followed by Brandon Bagwell with 17. Center Hill’s Ontario Brown led all scorers with 23 points.

Other Cougar scorers include Darius Jackson, 3 points; Terrance Turman and Cameron Shorty with 2 points each.

Lady Cougars

The Lady Cougars continue to struggle on the hardcourt dropping a 42-33 decision to division foe Center Hill Tuesday night.

North Panola (2-7 overall, 1-2 district) was down 21-9 at halftime, but had a great showing in the second half, out scoring Center Hill 24-21.

Teariny Wheatley led the Lady Cougars with eight points, followed by Candace Mottley with six. Other Lady Cougars scoring include Angelica Davidson, Annastasia Johnson, 5 each; Darlyshia Ward, 4; Cearea Jackson, 3 points; and Aundrea Taylor, 2 points.

There have been changes to the Cougar schedules for the holidays. The Cougars will play a district contest in Byhalia tonight beginning at 6 p.m. The North Panola Cougar Hardwood Shoot out has been cancelled for next week.

North Panola will host Independence on Tuesday beginning at 5 p.m. with the boys B-team game.

On December 27, the Cougar teams will participate in the Coldwater Tournament, but times will be released later. On Wednesday and Thursday, December 29 and 30, the Cougars will also play in the Oxford Tournament.

North Panola girls will play Olive Branch Wednesday at 1 p.m. followed by the boys against Hernando at 2:30 p.m.

On Thursday, the Cougars will play the late games. Both teams will play Oxford starting with the girls game at 7 p.m., followed by the boys at 8:30 p.m.