Tom Bean Tomcats (Tom Bean, TX) backers were in high spirits Friday as they witnessed their basketball squad tip the visiting McLeod Longhorns (McLeod, TX), 49-45 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Tom Bean upgrades its record to 16-7 on the season. The Tomcats host Sam Rayburn (Ivanhoe, TX) to play the Rebels in a 2A Region II District 14 bout on Tuesday, January 2. The Rebels go into the bout with a record of 12-8. Sam Rayburn lost 58-57 in their recent non-league bout against Pine Tree (Longview, TX)

Next up, the Longhorns play the Hawkins Hawks (Hawkins, TX) in a 2A Region III District 21 bout, on Tuesday, January 2. McLeod will attempt to upgrade on its 24-1 season record. The Hawks go into the bout with a 17-1 record after their 56-51 non-league win over Edgewood (Edgewood, TX).