The Merkel Badgers basketball squad (Merkel, TX), was nudged 58-53 in Tuesday's non-league battle with the visiting Coleman Bluecats (Coleman, TX)

With the victory, Coleman advances its record to 5-7 on the year. The Bluecats host Roscoe (Roscoe, TX) to meet the Plowboys in a 2A Region I District 8 battle on Friday, December 20. The Plowboys enter the battle with a record of 15-1. Roscoe won 65-42 in their recent non-league battle against Borden County (Gail, TX)

The Badgers now own a 4-9 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Plains for a non-league battle on Friday, December 27.