Clarendon Lions (Clarendon, AR) backers were in high spirits Saturday as they witnessed their basketball squad tip the host Palestine-Wheatley Patriots (Palestine, AR), 53-49 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Clarendon upgrades its record to 8-7 on the season. The Lions host Brinkley (Brinkley, AR) to play the Tigers in a 1A Region 5 bout on Tuesday, January 16. The Tigers go into the bout with a record of 15-2. Brinkley won 70-44 in their recent league bout against Midland (Pleasant Plains, AR)

Next up, the Patriots play the Hazen Hornets (Hazen, AR) in a 2A Region 6 bout, on Tuesday, January 16. Palestine-Wheatley will attempt to upgrade on its 7-9 season record. The Hornets go into the bout with a 0-9 record after their 76-38 league loss to Barton (Lexa, AR).