The Excel Panthers basketball team (Excel, AL), was nudged 43-37 in Thursday's non-league battle with the visiting W.S. Neal Eagles (East Brewton, AL)

The Eagles now possess a 6-8 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Hillcrest for a 3A Area 2 battle on Tuesday, January 9. W.S. Neal will confront a Jaguars team coming off a 50-23 non-league loss to Jackson (Jackson, AL). The Jaguars record now stands at 4-9.

The Panthers (0-7) will now prepare for their battle against Thomasville (Thomasville, AL). The Tigers come into the 3A Area 5 battle with a 5-6 record. In their last battle, Thomasville was nudged by Sumter Central (York, AL), 41-28, in a non-league battle.