Down big early, Caldwell County’s girls made South Panola’s fans sweat in the second half.
But the Mississippi school eventually held on for a 73-64 decision over the Lady Tigers Friday afternoon in the 2024 West Kentucky Hoops Classic in Princeton.
South Panola got out to a quick start in the battle of Lady Tigers, leading 26-14 after one quarter and threatening to blow the game open when the lead ballooned to 16 points, 30-14, in the second period.
South Panola took a 39-29 advantage to halftime, but Caldwell came out scrapping in what was at times a rugged and physical second half.
Caldwell twice got as close as three points in third period before South Panola grabbed a 53-49 edge after three quarters.
Caldwell was still as close as four points, 60-56, when Tink Clark made two free throws with 4:42 remaining.
But each time Caldwell got close, South Panola got a key basket — many times off of offensive rebounds and several times from Lauren Norwood.
South Panola recorded 29 offensive boards in the contest while outrebounding Caldwell 51-39.
That was enough to keep South Panola in front as the visiting Lady Tigers eventually went back up by 12 points late.
Norwood, a junior guard, tallied 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead South Panola, which improved to 11-4. Kamiya Hentz added 14 points.
Caldwell (3-5) got 19 points from Brylee Butts. Clark and Morgan Aikins each had 14 points. KeDarriah Thompson grabbed 10 rebounds to go with eight points.
The game was the first ever between Caldwell and South Panola in girls’ basketball.
Both teams will play in the Hoops Classic again on Saturday.
Caldwell’s girls will open day two at 11 a.m. against Carlisle County.
South Panola will face Mayfield in the 2 p.m. contest.
South Panola 26 13 14 20 — 73
Caldwell County 14 15 20 15 — 64
South Panola (11-4)—Norwood 23, Hentz 14, Fondren 11, Hubbard 10, Jones 8, Haynie 7.
Caldwell County (3-5)—Butts 19, Clark 14, Aikins 14, Thompson 8, Williams 4, McCoy 3, Gobin 2.
