By Derek Thompson
The Selma Times-Journal

Characteristics like diving on a loose ball or making key free throws down the stretch are things that define tough basketball players.

Toughness is something Southside High School head basketball coach Cedric Brown said his team lacked at the 16-team summer playdate on Tuesday at Selma High School.

“We just need to get a little bit tougher and understand really what’s going on,” Brown said. “We’re just not tough enough right now and that’s what the summer is for; to try and build a little chemistry with the guys. They need to build a little chemistry with themselves so they can actually understand because we have a lot of new bodies. We’re trying to figure it out right now.”

The Panthers were defeated 37-25 by Greene County High School and barely dented the scoreboard by halftime.

Southside went into the locker room behind 24-10.

More grinding and more physicality is what they needed in the second half, but Southside continued to lose ground as Greene County kept rolling with its offensive output.

“We just need to keep working and keep putting forth a new foot,” Brown said. “Our next playdate is next Saturday so we need to be prepared. We will be back in the gym tomorrow and we will work.”

Southside was also handed losses from R.C. Hatch and Fairfield at Tuesday’s playdate.

The Panthers fell behind 35-21 at halftime and then watched Hatch go on a big run to start the second half.

Southside was tied with Fairfield late but gave up two baskets in the final 30 seconds in a 37-33 defeat.