By Jeff Devine, Editor-in-Chief, Dale County Chronicle.
WICKSBURG — It was a mixed night on the hardwood for the Wicksburg Panthers as they squared off against the Slocomb Redtops, highlighted by a dominant varsity boys performance and two hard-fought, close losses for the Lady Panthers and JV boys.
Varsity Boys: Wicksburg 79, Slocomb 48
The Wicksburg varsity boys set the tone early and never looked back, racing out to a 24–4 lead after the first quarter and taking a commanding 38–18 advantage into halftime. The Panthers continued to pour it on in the third quarter, extending the margin to 58–38, before cruising to a 79–48 win.
Wicksburg controlled the game from the opening tip, showcasing a hot shooting night and a relentless pace that kept Slocomb on its heels throughout. The Panthers’ offensive surge and sustained energy proved too much for the Redtops to overcome.
Varsity Girls: Slocomb 52, Wicksburg 49
The Lady Panthers found themselves in a back-and-forth battle early, leading 17–15 after the first quarter before trailing 26–25 at halftime. Slocomb built momentum in the third quarter to take a 45–35 lead, but Wicksburg refused to fold.
Behind a determined fourth-quarter push, the Lady Panthers clawed back within striking distance late in the game. However, Slocomb’s steady scoring and strong defensive effort down the stretch held Wicksburg at bay, allowing the Lady Redtops to escape with a narrow 52–49 victory.
Boys JV: Slocomb 51, Wicksburg 49
The JV contest was just as competitive, with Wicksburg holding an 18–15 edge after the first quarter before Slocomb pulled ahead 33–25 at halftime. The Panthers responded after the break, battling back to knot the game at 40–40 by the end of the third quarter.
In the final minutes, both teams traded baskets, but Slocomb’s consistency and defensive pressure proved decisive, edging the JV Panthers 51–49 at the buzzer.
Wicksburg will look to regroup and build on the varsity boys’ momentum with a road trip to Houston Academy on Tuesday. Action begins at 4:30 p.m. with the JV boys, followed by the varsity girls and varsity boys.
