Southside nearly battled back from an eight-point deficit Thursday night against Monroe County, but Ken’Tavius Page’s last second layup attempt was blocked by Tyler Stallworth.

The block occurred right as the time out on the clock, allowing the Tigers to hang on for a 55-54 win. Southside (7-11) lost its third straight game and remained winless in class 4A, area 3.

“The guys fought until the very last second, until the horn went off,” said Southside head coach Cedric Brown. “We fought man. That’s all I can ask from these guys.”

The game was back and forth throughout, but Stallworth knocked down a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter to put Monroe up 46-40.

The Tigers’ Tyler Lang also knocked down a three to begin the fourth quarter to give Monroe a nine-point lead.

Southside refused to quit though.

Page got loose for a layup after a Panthers’ steal and added a free throw shortly after to cut the deficit to 49-45. Deandre Robinson and Franklin Banks both made layups for Monroe to put the Tigers up 53-45 with under three minutes left.

Southside rallied with seven points in 40 seconds. Terry Johnson and Price made layups to cut the deficit to 53-49. After a miss by Monroe, Price passed to Lee Underwood in the corner for a wide open three to cut the score to 53-52 Monroe with 57.6 seconds left.

The teams traded baskets and Monroe went to the free throw line with a chance to extend the lead with 6.6 seconds left. Jameel Merill missed the front end of the one-and-one and Southside went the other way with a chance to win.

Southside initially lost the ball, but Price picked up it with under three seconds left and went to the basket, but Stallworth blocked his shot for Monroe.

“That’s back-to-back close games we’ve played at home,” Brown said. “Pretty much the same score, but man we’ve got to finish that. We’ve got to finish the deal.”

The Panthers lost their last home game to Keith 56-54 last week. In that game, the Panthers were down throughout and had to rally late to have a chance.

On Thursday, the game was much closer.

The Panthers trailed 16-14 after the first quarter and 29-27 at halftime, but neither team led by more than five in the first half. Monroe led by as much as seven in the third quarter, but Page and Underwood helped keep the Panthers in it.

Page scored nine points in each half to lead the Panthers with 18 total points on the night and Underwood knocked down two 3-pointers and scored 14 points.

“If we keep putting ourselves in this situation, with God’s will, if we get later on down the line in a close game, I know these guys will pull it out,” Brown said. “I know without a shadow of a doubt because they’ve been in this situation several times.”

Southside will host Wilcox Central on Friday night.

 

Southside 47, Monroe County 30 (girls)

The Southside Panthers (5-9) are starting to play their best basketball of the season at the perfect time.

Kionnah Page and Sharita Benjamin each scored 16 points Thursday night as Southside defeated Monroe County 47-30 and picked up its second straight class 4A, area 3 victory.

The win built on a victory earlier this week against Thomasville where Southside rallied from 15 points down. After a rough start to the year, the Panthers have a legitimate shot to finish in the top two of the area now.

“They could’ve so easily counted this season as a loss because of how bad everything was at the beginning, but I’m so proud of everyone for pushing through it,” said Southside head coach Kayla Mason.

The Panthers were clinging to a 31-24 lead after the third quarter Thursday night, but outscored Monroe 16-6 in the final session.

Page scored seven of her points in the fourth quarter, including two steals that led to layups that helped Southside begin to pull away.

Christina Watts also completed a three-point play in the final minute. Watts finished the game with nine points.

Mason said she feels like her team has finally gotten on the same page.

“Playing Thomasville Tuesday I really saw their chemistry clicking with each other,” Mason said.

After the win Thursday, Southside trails only Clarke County in class 4A, area 3. Southside is 2-2 in area play.