Panthers take down LFO to salvage three-game stretch

The Ridgeland Panthers endured a pair of tough region setbacks last week, but close out the weekend on a positive note with a victory over a traditional rival in a non-region clash.

Gilmer boys 55, Ridgeland 46

In Tuesday’s nightcap, the Bobcats lit things up from the perimeter all night long, draining 11 3-point baskets in the win.

Ridgeland cut the lead down to nine at 4837 on a Grayson Moore bucket with 3:35 to go.

However, a 3-point play by Kanyon Smith with 2:48 remaining pushed the Bobcats’ lead back to double digits and they effectively sealed the win on a driving lay-up by Riley Hill with 2:15 to play.

Markeion Jones sunk four 3-pointers and paced the Panthers with 14 points.

Fred Norman had 12 and Moore ended his night with 10.

Southeast boys 47, Ridgeland 43

The Panthers led by four points, 13-9, after the opening quarter in Dalton on Friday night, but the Raiders would win the second quarter, 18-7, to give them the lead for good.

Jones hit three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points, while Moore added eight.

Both teams took 18 free throws each, but the Raiders connected on 12, while the Panthers (3-4 in region play) made just eight.

Ridgeland boys 64, LFO 37

The Panthers (513 overall) led 25-21 at intermission on Saturday, upped their lead to nine by the end of the third quarter, and then blew the game open by outscoring the homestanding Warriors 21-3 in the fourth.

Jones capped a big week with 23 points to lead all scorers, followed by Norman with 12. Christian Battle had 10 points and Markeith Montgomery added eight in the victory.