Dallas County High School was simply too much to handle for Jemison, taking down the Panthers 91-35.

“We were able to play with great effort tonight,” Dallas County head coach Willie Moore said. “We played great defense and were able to get some confidence shooting because of it.”

The Hornet (24-4) defense pressure was just too much for the Panthers (14-13) all night as turnovers led to easy baskets in the first half in route to a 53-10 lead.

Jemison was able to make up some ground the second half, but the game was already in hand.

“That’s Dallas County,” Panthers coach Reece Morton. “They play amazing defense and force turnovers. There’s just nothing you can do about it.”

Markell Harris led the Hornets with 22 points.

Two other Dallas County players reached double figures, DeAndre McIntyre scored 18 and William lee added 14 in the route.

“Now we have to focus on the next game,” Moore said. “We are taking this one game at a time. We are going to have the same approach in the next game as we had in this game.”

Soutside wins close one over Bibb Co.

What game one in Plantersville lacked in suspense, game two more than made up for when Southside High School barely took down Bibb County 61-57.

It was a game where neither team was willing to back down, but the Panthers tight defense created a few better chances at the end of the game.

“My guys tonight just showed so much pose,” Panthers head coach Cedric Brown said. “Bibb County would grab the lead off of a couple of big shots and my guys would come right back and never quit.”

Both squads struggled in a first half that was marred with turnovers and missed baskets, but both sides battled and Southside took a 25-22 lead going in at the break.

However, both teams came out ready to play in the third quarter. Trading buckets back and for.

The Choctaws looked to have momentum on their side following back to back three-pointers by Ratel Hardwick to pull ahead 37-31 with 4:35 left, Hardwick would end the game with a game-high 22 points.

“Even when they made those big threes we came back,” said Brown. “That just goes to show you how much our boys wanted it tonight. They weren’t backing down at all.”

It was tight pressure from the Panthers and some good passing leading to easy buckets that allowed the game to be won in the end.

“We pride ourselves on defense,” said Brown. “That is what won it for us tonight.”

Now the attention turns to the much anticipated rubber match against inter-county rival Dallas County Monday night at 7 p.m.

Brown said his team felt slighted following the Panthers loss to Dallas County on Jan. 28.

“We feel like they disrespected us a little bit with the talk of they knew they were better,” said Brown. “This is a game that we have been looking forward to a lot. We are going to be ready for Monday.”

The winner of Monday night’s game will host a sub-regional tournament and the loser will be forced to travel.