Pope County Pirates (Golconda, IL) backers were in high spirits Monday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the host Joppa-Maple Grove Rangers (Joppa, IL), 56-43 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Pope County upgrades its record to 10-6 on the season. The Pirates host Century (Ullin, IL) to play the Centurions in a non-league bout on Tuesday, January 3. The Centurions go into the bout with a record of 9-5. Century won 58-36 in their recent non-league bout against East Prairie (East Prairie, MO)

Next up, the Rangers play the Shawnee Redskins (Wolf Lake, IL) in a non-league bout, on Thursday, December 29. Joppa-Maple Grove will attempt to upgrade on its 1-7 season record. The Redskins go into the bout with a 0-6 record after their 32-23 league loss to Cobden (Cobden, IL).