By Brad Greer

South Panola head basketball coach Charley Howard said his Tigers would have to be more balanced in the scoring column to be successful. And so far this season his team has responded, playing better the first two games of this season than all of last year. They lost a one-point game in their season opener and bounced back with a win over Lafayette County Tuesday night.

The Tigers proved to be up for the challenge as three players scored in double figures to lead South Panola to a 59-51 victory over Lafayette on the road to even its record at 1-1 on the young season.

JaMichael Ford’s 19 points on five three pointers paced South Panola to the victory.Sophomore J’tavian Hicks added a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Eldridge Brooks provided 14 points, four rebounds and three steals including two huge free throws in the overtime period.

South Panola knocked down 12-of-16 shots from the charity stripe, seven of which came in overtime. Markevious Vaughn sank three of four shots at the foul line and finished with five points. Winston Winfield added five points while Issac Sturdivant finished with one point.

South Panola saw a 27-17 halftime lead evaporate as the Commodores clawed their back to to pull within 34-32 after three quarters of play.  Lafayette County’s Connor Rucker nailed a three pointer to tie the game at 44-44 with 1:40 left to play in regulation.

Javon Simpson knocked down a trey with 37 seconds to give the ‘Dores a 47-44 lead, however Brooks’ jumper sent the game into overtime at 47-47 with 14 seconds showing on the clock.

Overtime was all Tigers as they outscored Lafayette 12-4 in the extra session.

(Girls Game) Lafayette 52, SP 47

The undefeated Lady Commodores got 20 points from Azariah Buford to hold off a late South Panola charge.

The ‘Dores led 27-19 at halftime before South Panola closed the margin to three points in the second half. Marshala Doyle paced the Lady Tigers with 19 points while Takyra Webster provided ten. Kaniya Ford chipped in with five while Bailey Ware and Crystal Mayes registered four. Aziyah McGhee rounded out the scoring with two points.

The South Panola Lady Tiger Junior Varsity team were victorious 17-11 in the opening game. Kiersten Clark led the way with six points while Ty’Tianna Suggs added five. Teddera Patton garnered four and McGheyla Patton finished with two points.

The Lady Tigers will take on Ingomar at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Oxford Charger Challenge then play again Tuesday also at 2:30 p.m. against Pine Grove.

The  Tigers tipped off their 2018-19 basketball season last Thursday at Lake Cormorant with mixed results.

Marshala Doyle accounted for 20 points and the Lady Tigers routed the Lady Gators. Ladayshia Robinson added 13 points with Takyra Webster supplying eight. Bailey Ware followed with seven points as Kaniya Ford, Crystal Mayes and Nahriah Connor garnered six each.

McGheyla Patton and Aziyah McGhee rounded out the scoring with four and three points.

(Boys Game) Lake Cormorant 57, SP 56

J’Tavian Hicks registered 20 points, four rebounds and two steals but it was to no avail as the Tigers fell to the Gators. Markevious Vaughn pulled down nine rebounds and six points for South Panola. JaMichael Ford registered eight points.

Eldridge Brooks and Winston Winfield chipped in with  six points each while Issac Sturdivant accounted for five points and four rebounds. Stanwon Porter and Trae Ellis finished with three and two points apiece.