Fans at Friday's league challenge between the Pope County Pirates (Golconda, IL) and the host Galatia Bearcats (Galatia, IL), saw Pope County's basketball squad hold off Galatia by a tally of 41-35.

With the victory, Pope County improves its record to 7-8 on the campaign. The Pirates travel to Carrier Mills-Stonefort (Carrier Mills, IL) to confront the Wildcats in a non-league challenge on Monday, January 24. The Wildcats come into the challenge with a record of 8-11. Carrier Mills-Stonefort won 74-34 in their recent league challenge against Thompsonville (Thompsonville, IL)

Next up, the Bearcats confront the Norris City-Omaha-Enfield Fighting Cardinals (Norris City, IL) in a non-league challenge, on Friday, January 28. Galatia will attempt to improve on its 2-11 season record. The Fighting Cardinals come into the challenge with a 11-8 record after their 54-37 non-league win over Gallatin County (Junction, IL).