SP varsity boys claw way to victory over Lafayette County; other Tiger teams fall

By Brad Greer
One last tune up before Region 2-6A play begins proved successful for the South Panola boys as the Tigers clawed their way back from a nine point deficit midway through the fourth quarter to claim a dramatic 54-49 victory over Lafayette County at home Thursday night.
Kendricus Carlton poured in 17 points and 15 rebounds to spark a 13-1 Tiger run that erased a 42-33 Commodore lead with 5:32 left in the contest.
Ernest Sanford got the rally started with a three pointer to cut the ‘Dores lead to 42-38 at the 4:38 mark. Two minutes later and following another tray from Ketrell Key, South Panola tied the game at 43-43 as Robert Hentz banked in a short jumper with 2:32 remaining.
South Panola (3-2) took the lead for good at 45-43 on Carlton’s turn around jumper before Hentz’s front end of one-and-one free throw opportunity to end the Tiger spurt.
Carlton put the game on ice with 25 seconds left with a short jumper after shaking and baking a Commodore defender to give South Panola a 52-47 advantage.
Montray Blackburn followed Carlton in the scoring column with 13 points while Hentz chipped in with 11 points and five rebounds. Hogan Linzy paced the Commodores (2-4) with 15 points.
Lafayette County took a 16-13 lead after one quarter and 26-22 at the halftime break.
Sanford chipped in with eight points while Key provided three. Terriance Jackson registered two points for the Tigers. Davonte Cathey provided a defensive spark with seven rebounds.
Lafayette Co. (girls) 55, SP 30
The Lady Tigers saw their four-game winning streak come to a crashing halt  at the hands of a tough unbeaten Commodore squad.
South Panola (7-4) took a early 7-4 lead before Lafayette County closed out the first quarter on a 13-2 run for a 17-9 advantage.
From there it was all Lady ‘Dores as they extended its lead to 29-9 before taking a 36-13 lead at halftime.
Sydney Morgan paced South Panola with 10 points while Marshala Doyle provided nine. Chole Morgan followed with five points. Breanna Bland, Sedria Joy and Tracie Benson all finished with two points each.
The Lady Tigers traveled to the Pearl Invitational Saturday where they lost 45-23 to Clinton.
Lafayette Co. (JV boys)38, SP32
The Tigers led for one half but could not hold the lead as Lafayette County stormed back.
Markevious Vaughn paced the Tigers with seven points. Keith Cole followed with six points. Others scorers included: Stanwon Porter five, Morris House. four, Matt Burchfield, Deronte Thomas and Thaddeus Kirkwood with two each.
Issac Sturdivant provided one point for South Panola.
Lafayette Co. (JV girls)19, SP 18
Ty’Quera Victom led South Panola with seven points in a losing effort. Ke’Amber Jackson added three points while Jannaria Sanford, Shanterika Burton, Teddera Patton and Ladayshia Robinson contributed with two points each.
South Panola will be back in action Thursday as they tip off district play by hosting Hernando beginning at 6 p.m.