By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
Southside opened its Class 5A, Area 10 game against Etowah last Tuesday (Jan. 8) with a three-point bucket and never trailed en route to a 56-45 win in girls basketball in Attalla.
Savannah Thomas paced the Lady Panthers with 11 points, followed by Haley Troup with 10, including the game’s first points. Sydney D’eath and Karri Mikissack each added nine points, while Molly Tucker chipped in eight.
Southside took a 13-8 lead after one quarter and made it 29-19 at halftime. The Lady Panthers erupted for 17 points in the third period while holding the Lady Blue Devils to 10.
Southside built a 40-21 lead at the start of the fourth quarter, but Etowah was not yet ready to fold its tent.
Behind a full-court pressure defense, the Lady Devils made one last run to draw within 54-45 late in the game, but that was as close as the hosts would get.
Neah Meeks led Etowah with 14 points, 10 of which came in the second half. Brooke Perry scored 13 points, while Maclin Trammell added seven.