The crowd at Monday's non-league challenge between the Petal Panthers (Petal, MS) and the visiting Columbia Wildcats (Columbia, MS), observed Petal's basketball team edge Columbia by a score of 57-54.

The Panthers (7-12) will now prepare for their challenge against Oak Grove (Hattiesburg, MS). The Warriors come into the 7A Region 3 challenge with a 6-9 record. In their last challenge, Oak Grove edged Natchez (Natchez, MS), 53-51, in a non-league challenge.

In their next game, the Wildcats encounter the Sumrall Bobcats (Sumrall, MS) in a 4A Region 7 challenge, on Friday, January 3. Columbia will attempt to improve on its 8-8 season record. The Bobcats come into the challenge with a 6-12 record after their 64-52 non-league loss to Jefferson Davis County (Bassfield, MS).