Fans at Tuesday's non-league challenge between the Meridian Bobcats (Mounds, IL) and the visiting Pope County Pirates (Golconda, IL), saw Meridian's basketball squad hold off Pope County by a tally of 49-43.

With the victory, Meridian improves its record to 11-6 on the campaign. The Bobcats host Joppa-Maple Grove (Joppa, IL) to play the Rangers in a South Egyptian challenge on Thursday, January 11. The Rangers come into the challenge with a record of 0-7. Joppa-Maple Grove lost 45-33 in their recent league challenge against Shawnee (Wolf Lake, IL)

Next up, the Pirates play the Cobden Appleknockers (Cobden, IL) in a non-league challenge, on Wednesday, January 10. Pope County will attempt to improve on its 17-2 season record. The Appleknockers come into the challenge with a 3-11 record after their 57-23 league loss to Century (Ullin, IL).