Ariton Purple Cats (Ariton, AL) backers were in high spirits Friday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the host Elba Tigers (Elba, AL), 67-59 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Ariton upgrades its record to 10-5 on the season. The Purple Cats travel to Abbeville (Abbeville, AL) to clash with the Yellowjackets in a 2A Area 3 bout on Tuesday, January 9. The Yellowjackets go into the bout with a record of 8-8. Abbeville lost 45-43 in their recent non-league bout against Randolph-Clay (Cuthbert, GA)

Next up, the Tigers clash with the Houston County Lions (Columbia, AL) in a 1A Area 2 game, on Monday, January 8. Elba will attempt to move on its 8-7 season record. The Lions enter the game with a 2-11 record after their 48-46 non-league loss to Emmanuel Christian (Dothan, AL).