The New Deal Lions basketball team scored 56 points and restricted the host Bells Panthers to 47 in the Lions non-league victory on Friday.

With the win, New Deal upgrades its record to 12-5 on the season. The Lions host Ralls (Ralls, TX) to play the Jackrabbits in a 2A Region I District 4 bout on Tuesday, January 3. The Jackrabbits go into the bout with a record of 2-13. Ralls lost 65-55 in their recent non-league bout against Seagraves (Seagraves, TX)

Next up, the Panthers play the Howe Bulldogs (Howe, TX) in a 3A Region II District 11 bout, on Tuesday, January 3. Bells will attempt to upgrade on its 11-2 season record. The Bulldogs go into the bout with a 8-6 record after their 54-35 non-league loss to Celina (Celina, TX).