Panthers drop first two games

The Ridgeland Panthers would trim a double-digit deficit to seven points with 1:06 to play in the third quarter last Wednesday night, but the Ringgold Tigers would come roaring back to claim a 69-44 victory in the Ridgeland Thanksgiving Classic.

Up 6-5 early on, the Tigers used a 16-4 run, spread between the first and second quarters, to help open up a 36-22 lead at intermission. Mac Brower had 16 points in the first half for Ringgold.

Ridgeland, however, proceeded to make a game of it in the third quarter. They opened the half on a 9-2 run as a C.J. Shackleford 3-point cut the lead down to 39-31 with 3:38 left in the period. Later, a nifty finger roll by Markeion Jones pulled Ridgeland to within 43-36 as the third quarter started to wind down.

But the Tigers would score five points in the final 30 seconds of the period to push the lead back to double figures and a 12-4 run over the first 3:40 of the fourth quarter would put the game away.

Brower finished with 22 points and went 6 of 6 from the free throw line. Cade Nayadley ended the night with 14 points, while Blake Goldsmith had 11 points with three 3-pointers.

Jones led Ridgeland with 11 points, while Shackleford finished the game with 10.

Dade County boys 71, Ridgeland 47

The Panthers fell to 0-2 on the season after Friday’s loss. Markeith Montgomery paced the Panthers with 14 points.

Ridgeland will jump into Region 6-4A play on Tuesday (Nov. 29) when they travel to Ellijay to face Gilmer. The Panthers will host Southeast Whitfield on Friday.