The crowd at Monday's league challenge between the Leake Central Gators (Carthage, MS) and the visiting Newton County Cougars (Decatur, MS), observed Leake Central's basketball team knock off Newton County by a score of 82-64.

The Gators (14-4) will now prepare for their challenge against West Lauderdale (Collinsville, MS). The Knights come into the 4A Region 4 challenge with a 12-1 record.

In their next game, the Cougars encounter the Choctaw Central Warriors (Philadelphia, MS) in a 4A Region 4 challenge, on Friday, January 3. Newton County will attempt to improve on its 7-4 season record. The Warriors come into the challenge with a 11-6 record after their 59-49 league win over Northeast Lauderdale (Meridian, MS).