In the final meeting of the season between the two area rivals, both teams left it all out on the floor, but it was the Selma Saints who prevailed as they defeated the Southside Panthers 43-41 in the closing seconds Saturday at Wallace Community-College-Selma.

Saints’ head coach Woodie Jackson said his team played much better than it did in Friday night’s 63-49 lost to area foe Wilcox-Central High School.

“They showed more effort and heart than they did last night,” Jackson said. “They played with some passion, they executed on offense, slowed it down some and we got a couple rebounds right there at the end that we were missing at the beginning of the game. It’s a real big win. As I said before, games against Southside or Keith are always going to be very, very competitive. Southside has an outstanding team and we wish them the best of luck the rest of the season.”

The Panthers (10-8, 2-1) had been in the lead since 6:10 was remaining in the opening quarter, but the Saints (12-9, 2-2) made their comeback in the fourth.

Trailing 41-38, Selma got a huge three from Keyshawn Ford to tie the game 41-41 with two minutes remaining in the game.

The Panthers had a chance to take the lead on their next possession, but Selma’s Kerry Mitchell blocked a shot under the basket.

With time running down Selma’s Demario Gunn attempted the go-ahead basket under the goal and missed, the Saints’ Henry Blevins would try to tip it in and miss as well, but Mitchell was there to finally tip it in and put the Saints ahead 43-41 with seconds remaining.

The horn sounded, but officials put three seconds back on the clock after Southside called a time out before time expired.

The Panthers got the ball up court and called another timeout with two seconds remaining.

Southside had one last shot, but Devante Richardson’s shot went off the glass and over the rim sealing the victory for the Saints.

Panthers’ head coach Cedric Brown said the game is exactly what you expect from two rivals, and Selma just hit more big shots.

“That was a classic Southside-Selma High game of old—the fans were into it, the players were into it,” Brown said. “We went into the game and I told my guys that no one expected us to win, so in order to get this victory we had to leave it all on the floor. They (Selma) hit some big baskets late down the stretch and that’s what put them over the hump.”

Mitchell and Gunn led the Saints with 11 points each.

Jeffery Mack led Southside with 13 points, while Sammarkus Jones added 10 points and Mario Oliver added 9 points for the Panthers.

 

Lady Saints defeat 

Lady Panthers

 

The Selma Lady Saints took control early and never let up, as they defeated the Southside Lady Panthers 50-18 on Saturday in the final meeting of the season between the two rivals.

The Lady Saints (15-3, 4-0) took the lead early in the first quarter and finally pulled away and put the lead into double digits late in the second quarter.

Lady Saints’ head coach Anthony Harris said his team played well and benefited from the return of senior point guard Jonishia Jackson, who missed the first meeting between the two with an injury.

“We played a little sloppy that first half missing a lot of shots inside, missing free throws, but all of a sudden we started playing a little defense,” Harris said. “We had a good showing and got to play everybody. Jameneshia Caver brings her game every night and we got Jonishia Jackson back, who missed the first game. She’s like another coach out there on the floor.”

Jason Bothwell, head coach of the Lady Panthers (9-6, 3-0), said his team wasn’t able to capitalize off on the opportunities they were given.

“We did what we could, when we could,” Bothwell said. “We ran out of gas. We went a couple of possessions where we got turnovers, but just weren’t able to take that energy and convert it over to offense. Not to discredit Selma High, they’ve got number 20 (Jackson) back and they were off and running like they’re used to. We just weren’t able to convert turnovers into points.”

Jackson led the Lady Saints with 17 points, while Caver added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Jasmine Peeples also had 7 points and 14 rebounds for Selma.

LuShunda Geeter led the Lady Panthers with 6 points.