The two teams would trade baskets before the Panthers were able to pull ahead for good with 1:23 to go.

Brown said he was somewhat surprised Bibb County did not slow the pace of the game down with a 9-point lead and possibly deflating the sometimes frantic pace forced by the Panthers’ press.

“It did surprise me a little they didn’t slow it down,” Brown said. “But we work on pressure all the time. We work on pressing the ball all the time. We felt we could have an impact on them by putting the full-court press on.”

Overall, the Panthers outscored the Choctaws 24-14 in the final quarter.

Southside junior Jeffery Mack led all scorers with 24 points, while Je’Von Hall chipped in 22 points. Devante Richardson added another 14 points for Southside.

For Bibb County, Jalen Goree led the way with 23 points, while Johntarrio Goode scored 19 points.

The Panthers will take on Dallas County in the area championship game Monday at 6 p.m.

Regardless of the outcome Monday, both Southside and Dallas County have earned a birth in the sub-regional round of the playoffs. The winner of the game will host a sub-region game, while the loser will be forced to travel.