Southside’s comeback attempt ran out of steam Tuesday night as the Panthers fell to Trinity 65-58.

The Panthers fell behind by 16 in the second half, but pulled within five on a shot by Armmahd Olds late in the third quarter. The Panthers gave up a quick 4-0 run, including a wide open 3-pointer to Charlie Lott, and Trinity led by six or more the rest of the way.

The Panthers were led by coach Lenord Jones, who has coached the girls team at Tipton Durant Middle School in past years.

It sounds as if he’s likely to be officially named Southside’s boys’ basketball coach soon. Right now, he’s serving in an interim capacity.

Although Southside lost Tuesday, Jones had a lot to be proud of with the way the team fought in the second half.

The Panthers made seven 3-pointers in the second half, but couldn’t slow Lott, who led all scorers with 22 points.

“We played a fundamentally sound team tonight,” Jones said. “We thought we were prepared and I told them that the team was fundamental and if they could get in their set, it’s hard to beat them. They were almost perfect at free throws, jump shots and executing the offense.”

The Panthers had their chances. The game was tight nearly the entire first half, but Southside gave up a late 12-4 run to fall behind 29-18 at the break.

Trinity kept the run going by scoring the first eight points of the second half, including a 3-pointer by Grant Sanderson.

Southside was led in scoring by Chris Edwards, who had 10 points, including two of Southside’s 3-pointers. Olds scored 8 and Kendell Lewis had 7.

“We are staying with those fundamentals over and over and it’s going to come. It’s gradually coming,” Jones said. “You can’t build a house over night.”

Jones is the third coach the Panthers have had leading them in just over a month.

Former head coach Cedric Brown left for McAdory before the season started and the team had been coached by Jon Solomon and Rand Smith in the meantime.

Just like at Tipton, Jones brought ninth grader Jyrah Smith with him to the sideline to help him coach.  Smith suffers from cerebral palsy but loves to help Jones coach basketball.

“He’s a minister, and he prayed to God to put us together and God answered his prayer,” Jones said.

Smith, Jones and the Panthers will move on to play Keith on Friday night, in a game where both teams will be looking to get back on track.

“It’s going to be a good test,” Jones said.

 

Southside 51, Trinity 35 (Girls)

It’s been at least a few years since the Southside girls’ basketball team was over .500 after seven games. From the looks of it, the Panthers are just getting started.

Southside (4-3) won its fourth game Tuesday in a dominant 51-35 victory over Trinity. Panthers head coach Ed Dean said his team got sloppy in the second half, but a 16-point halftime lead gave them some breathing room.

“If we can put a full game together, like we did in the first half, then we are going to be a tough team to beat,” Dean said.

Destiny Davis had 12 points, Sharita Benjamin had 11 and Ki’Onah Page scored 10 to lead the Panthers in scoring. Kylan Brown and Christina Watts also chipped in 8 points apiece.

Many of Southside’s points came on offensive rebounds and they dominated the boards most of the game.