By Brad Greer

Anytime a team picks up their first win of the season is always big, but to get that victory on one of your rival’s home court is something extra special.

Led by Ketwun House’s 16 points, the North Panola Cougars notched a 56-46 win over Senatobia Tuesday night inside a packed Warrior gym.

Senatobia did manage to earn a split on the night with a 41-32 win over  the Lady Cougars in varsity girls action.

North Panola (1-4) went on a 6-0 run late in the first half to take a 24-19 halftime lead thanks largely in part to Robert Oliver who scored six of his eight points in the second quarter.

The Cougars increased their lead to 11 points early in the fourth quarter before the Warriors cut the margin to 42-37 with five minutes left to play.

House then took over for the Cougars as the sophomore guard scored 10 points in the period including consecutive baskets that pushed the North Panola lead to 46-37. Devonte Howard followed House in scoring with 13 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter.

Senatobia (2-5) overcame 10 turnovers in the first quarter to take a 12-11 lead as Steve Green led the way for the Warriors with 11 points. Darrius Jackson gave North Panola its first lead at 13-12 on a steal and lay up with 6:58 remaining in the second quarter

North Panola shot 46 percent (23-of-49) from the floor while hitting only 9-of-23 from the free throw line. The Cougars turned the ball over 13 times while Senatobia hurt themselves with 23 turnovers.

The Warriors connected on 15-of-39 shots (38 percent) and five-of- 11 from the charity stripe. Danny Cleveland followed Green in scoring with 10 points. North Panola transfer Cameron Shorty added nine points in the contest despite missing most of the first half due to foul trouble.

Donte Howard and Oliver added eight points for North Panola while Jackson and Eking Miller followed with five and four points each. Terrance Kirkwood rounded out the scoring with two points.

Lady Cougars

In the girls contest, Khadija Davis led the Lady Warriors with 10 points as  the Senatobia defense held North Panola to 21 percent field goal shooting on the night.

Candace Mottley led North Panola in scoring with nine points. Daryleshia Ward and Teariny Wheatly followed with seven points each. Oneisha Hunt chipped in with five while Angelica Davison and Takymdris Clay registered three and one point each in a losing cause.

Senatobia (2-5) led by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter before the Cougars dwindled the lead to 31-25 with 3:38 left in the game on Hunt’s three-point play.

North Panola could not get any closer however as Davis and Tekevanna Young connected on two free throws each in the final two minutes of the game to seal the win.

Tuesday’s matchup between the two schools was the first of two meeting on the year as Senatobia will travel to Sardis for a rematch on  January 7.

The Cougars are playing in the Water Valley Round Robin Tournament. They played last night against Charleston.

Saturday, they will take on host Water Valley at 4 p.m.

North Panola returns home Tuesday to face Rosa Fort at 5 p.m. with the junior varsity boys game.