No. 9 Selma entered Friday night’s game against rival Southside as a team that expects to compete deep into February this season. The Panthers are hoping to build their program to that point.

On Friday night, Selma (12-1) showed just how big a gap there is between the programs right now.

The Saints jumped out to a 13-point lead after the first quarter and were not challenged from there in a 64-28 victory.

Jamya Smith and Areyana Williams scored 12 points apiece to lead Selma in the win.

Selma head coach Anthony Harris said it was one of the best games Williams had played this season after recovering from a shoulder injury in the offseason.

“She got rebounds and she looked like her old self,” Harris said.

Eight different Saints’ players scored in the game as Selma rolled to its twelfth win of the year.

The Saints led 35-15 at halftime and 55-23 after the third quarter.

“They need to learn how to play together and trust themselves and trust their teammates,” said Southside head coach Kayla Mason.

“But this game and the last game we played against Monroe, they did really well.”

Christina Watts led Southside (2-6) in scoring with 14 points. Sharita Benjamin also scored five points for the Panthers.

All four Southside and Selma teams will play in the Dallas County Christmas Tournament being held at Wallace Community College Selma next week.

The Selma teams will square off with Dallas County in the first round, while Southside’s teams will take on Keith.