ORRVILLE&045;With Kendra Marzette leading the way, the Southside Lady Panthers jumped on the winless Central -Hayneville Lady Lions early and never let up.

Marzette had 22 points, including a trio of first-half 3-pointers as she took the Panthers to a 61-36 win over Central-Hayneville in the opening round of the Dallas County Holiday Basketball Tournament held at Keith.

As good as the offense was, it was the Southside defense that made the difference.

Marzette finished with 22 points, 4 steals and 4 assists.

Andreaka Williams added 17 points, 5 steals and three rebounds for the Lady Panthers. Tiffany Anderson added 8 points and 7 rebounds.

Makiesha Towns added 5 points and 10 rebounds.

Katricia Brown, Kimberly Brodnax, Demetrice Shelton and Shernita Thigpen also scored for Southside.

Brodnax added 8 rebounds and 3 steals.

For the Lady Lions, Shondra Williams kept them in the game with her sharp-shooting.

She was killing the Panthers with her jumper in the first half.

But early in the second half, she appeared to suffer a pulled muscle.

She returned to the game late and finished with 17 points. Kim Galy added 13 for the Lady Lions.

Malorye Lawrence and Anna Rudolph finished with a single point each in the loss for the 0-8 Lions.

With the win Southside, 4-2, advanced to play in the title game Saturday night.

Editor’s Note: Please see Monday’s STJ for results of the Dallas County Tournament’s title game.