The Times-Journal

The Wilcox County Jaguars beat Southside High School, 60-55, Friday night.

The Jaguars spoiled the coaching debut of Head Coach Frankie Peoples.

“We’re young and inexperienced,” Peoples said. “Playing a team like Wilcox this early will show us our weaknesses and what we have to work on.”

At the 6:20 mark, Ricky Moore made a touch pass to Marcus Cleveland (14 points, 11 rebounds) to cut into the lead, 31-34.

Cortez Irby (24 points) answered with a 18-footer and Alquan Mendenhall (seven points) made a steal and two back-to-back baskets and pushed the lead to 40-31.

Southside’s Fontano Neko Watters (12 points, 8 rebounds) went coast-to-coast and Ricky Moore’s three-pointer ended the third behind, 40-47.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Jaguars’ Trevell Coleman (15 points), who showed the crowd his ball handling on four consecutive plays, freezing the defender and driving for the easy two.

Willie Cooper added eight points, and Jerel Peoples had seven points.

Lady Panthers continue winning streak

Coach Matthew Williams and Southside High School Lady Panthers have been one of the surprise teams this season.

The Lady Panthers beat the Wilcox County Lady Jaguars in a thriller, 55-54, Friday night.

When Southside junior point/forward Kelsey Brown’s (23 points) outside shot didn’t find the basket, she went to the post and scored 16 points in the paint.

“We’ve got to work harder on defense that will bring our offense,” Brown said. “We’re young, but scrappy.”

With 3:22 left and the game tied 51-51, Brown threw a baseball pass to a wide open Janay Thomas (six points) for the easy two and the lead, 53-52.

The Lady Jaguars’ Shayla Wilson (16 points) responded with a 15-foter to tie the game, 53-53.

Kyria Miles (four points) drove the lane with 30.3 seconds left for the win. Tiffany Anderson

added seven points and Shanqua Williams had six points in the game.

Southside is 3-0 for the season.