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Southside boys and Selma High girls won the Dallas County Basketball Tournament titles over the Christmas holidays.

The Panthers lived up to the hype being the best basketball team in Dallas County, capturing the tournament crown.

Christopher Thomas, The Selma Times-Journal football player of the year, was named tournament MVP. Thomas is averaging a team-high 19.4 points for the Panthers (11-6). All-State selection in football and basketball Tae Spears is scoring 15 points.

First-year Southside coach Kelvin Lett isn’t putting too much emphasis on the team’s fast start.

“We have to play the teams again, so until then we are just leading the pack,”Lett said.

Other Southside basketball players are: Derick Smith, Marquarius Reese, BJ Moorer, Javarious Gunn, Erick Smith, Amir Muhammad, Damarion Davis and Stacee Rudolph.

The Lady Saints bring a 7-2 record under third-year coach Willie Morgan.

Selma is led by Alexias Walker,  the girls’ MVP at the Dallas County tournament.

“I’m proud of the way my girls compete,” Morgan said. “They played Lady Saints basketball. We still have ways to go. This tournament is a great stepping stone for them.”

Other Lady Saints are: Tamereya Snow, Makahia Tolbert, Jamiria Jackson, Zariah McCall, Sarryah Pope, Maraisha Rivers, Kaniyah Woods, Dereka Williams, Jaleereya Garrett, Jykerria Oliver and Rod’Neisha Parker.