Magnolia teams to play in district tournament

Magnolia closed the regular basketball season with a pair of games against El Dorado Friday night at Panther Arena.

The Lady Panthers used their reserves most of the night during a 35-24 loss to the Lady Wildcats, while the Panthers came up short 57-54 to the Wildcats.

El Dorado was scheduled to open their 6A-South District Tournament on Saturday, while Magnolia will begin 5A-South District Tournament play on Tuesday.

"I know we came up short, but these young men fought their hearts out today," said Magnolia head coach Dyun Long. "They didn't give up and kept fighting. We just don't have an answer for Daniel Gafford (6-foot-11) inside. We just don't."

Though both girls team chose to play with their junior varsity squad in the second half, the Panthers and Wildcats didn't.

The Panthers opened a 5-0 lead early off a 3-pointer by Trey Davis and bucket by Malik Dunn.

Teammate Tyler Brown canned a second long-range jumper making it 8-0, forcing the Wildcats to use an early timeout.

The Panthers led 8-1 at the 5:10 mark in the opening period, but the Wildcats gained their composure and were up 13-10 with under a minute to play.

Greg Martin hit a 3-pointer with 21.8 seconds on the clock and the game was tied 13-13 after the first break.

Martin opened the second period with a 3-pointer, but the Wildcats answered with one of their own.

The battle went back-and-forth for several minutes, but the Wildcats were up 21-18 at the half.

El Dorado maintained its three-point advantage for most of the third period and used a short spurt in the final minute to go up 38-31 after three periods.

Magnolia fell behind by 15 early in the fourth quarter, but fought back before losing by three.

Martin led the Panthers in scoring with 20, followed by Davis' 18.

Gafford had 17 for the Wildcats and Czar Perry finished with 13.

Long said the Panthers not only played hard, but were able to make some shots.

"Hopefully we can go into district play with some confidence," he said.

The Panthers will take on White Hall at 8 p.m. Tuesday night at Watson Chapel.

"We didn't turn the ball over a bunch and that's huge. That's something we have don't over the past two ballgames. If that trend continues, we are going to be fine," explained the coach.

The Panthers defeated White Hall earlier in the season, but Long said that was a long time to go.

"If we're not careful, the same thing could happen to us that almost happened to El Dorado. They (Wildcats) beat us by almost 30 at their place and barely got a win tonight," said Long.

"We can't have a letdown. If we play like we did tonight against White Hall, I like our chances," said the coach.

In the girls' game, the Lady Panthers led 22-21 at the half before the reserves took over. El Dorado was up 25-23 after three periods and eventually won by nine.

"I kept my guard in so we could get the ball up and down the court. Right now, we have to get ready for De Queen on Tuesday in the district tournament," said Lady Panthers' head coach Donnell Ford.

Magnolia and De Queen split a pair of games during the regular tournament. The winner Tuesday not only advances, but qualifies for the Class 5A State Tournament at Magnolia.

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