Fans at Thursday's non-league challenge between the Ayer Shirley Panthers (Ayer, MA) and the visiting St. Bernard's Central Catholic Bernardians (Fitchburg, MA), saw Ayer Shirley's basketball squad hold off St. Bernard's Central Catholic by a count of 51-48.

With the victory, Ayer Shirley upgrades its record to 3-2 on the campaign. The Panthers host Murdock (Winchendon, MA) to play the Blue Devils in a Midland-Wachusett E challenge on Tuesday, January 3. The Blue Devils come into the challenge with a record of 3-2. Murdock lost 61-43 in their recent non-league challenge against Gardner (Gardner, MA)

Next up, the Bernardians play the St. Paul (Worcester, MA) in a Central Mass challenge, on Tuesday, January 3. St. Bernard's Central Catholic will attempt to upgrade on its 2-2 season record. The come into the challenge with a 0-5 record after their 66-45 non-league loss to Shepherd Hill Regional (Dudley, MA).