By Ike House
The last 18 seconds of the North Panola boys game against Independence may haunt them for a long while.
The Cougars led 35-29 at halftime and 49-44 going into the final quarter. However, Independence limited them to seven points in the fourth quarter while tying the game and taking the lead within the last minute of play.
With 18 seconds left in the game, the Cougars turned the ball over and Independence took it coast-to-coast for the insurance basket to take a four-point lead.
Independence boys 60, NP 56
The Cougars came out of the locker room in the first quarter and hit four three-pointers to lead 19-11 going into the second quarter.
Independence got its offense going in the second quarter and scored 18 points to cut the lead 35-29 at halftime.
The second half saw more excitement as Cougars Jamarcus Jones and Demetrick Porter went point-for-point against Independence to lead the Cougars to a 49-44 third quarter score.  
Leading the Cougars was Jones with 18 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and an assist. Porter had 17 points, three rebounds and a steal.
Other scorers include Vennis Mills, six points, four rebounds, a steal, one assist; Darrell Young, six points, four rebounds; Mario Fenner Jr., two points, three rebounds, an assist; Kenneth Jefferson, two points, eight rebounds, Demetrick Moore, two points, a rebound, one block; and Ankeyvias Harris, two points.
Independence girls 66, NP 36
The Lady Cougars were playing for third place in the district when they fell to first place Independence 66-36.
ShaQuanta Pettis led the way for the Lady Cougars as she scored nine of their 13 first quarter points. The first quarter was the last time the Lady Cougars led in the game. The scoring slowed as the Lady Cougars fell behind and only scored six points.
Independence pushed their lead in the second quarter as they went into the half leading 30-19.
 Pettis did the only scoring for the Lady Cougars who were down 49-28 going into the fourth quarter.
 North Panola had no answer for the Independence offense as they outscored the Lady Cougars 17-8.
Leading the way for the Lady Cougars was Pettis with 18 points.
Other scorers were Kenya Edwards, five points; Jasmine Mays, four points; QuiTonya Webster, three points; and Shan Clark and Denisha Montgomery, two points each.
Both North Panola teams will play Charleston today in the first round of the district tournament. The Lady Cougars will play at 7 p.m. and the Cougars will play at 8:30 p.m. in Holly Springs.