Senior Johnny Rucker will try and lead the Indians to another victory against their biggest rival, Yazoo County, today.By TAYLOR MITCHELL
Sports Editor

It’s been nearly two months since Yazoo City swept Yazoo County on the Panthers’ home court. In what is considered the biggest  rivalry inside the county, there’s no doubt the Panthers and Lady Panthers will be looking for revenge on Saturday when the two schools meet for a pair of games at Yazoo City High School.
The Indians won 44-30 in early December, while the Lady Indians won their game 33-21.
Since that Saturday, the Indians (17-8) have gone 11-6 while the Panthers (8-16) have gone 4-11 in that same time period. Since claiming their lone win of the season, the Lady Indians (1-23) have lost 15 games. On the other hand, the Lady Panthers (9-15) have gone 5-9, but have lost six straight games.
Saturday’s games will begin at 3 p.m. with the Lady Indians and Lady Panthers facing off against one another. The Indians and Panthers will square off on the hardwood following the girls game at Yazoo City High School.

Lyncin Relinquis dives after a loose ball. By TAYLOR MITCHELL
Sports Editor

It was a clean sweep Tuesday night as the boys and girls basketball teams of Manchester sent Carroll Academy back home with a pair of losses.
The Lady Mavericks won 55-45 in a game that was closer than the final score indicates and the Mavericks won 66-57.
In the first game of the night, the Lady Mavericks jumped out to a 17-11 lead after first quarter, but saw their slim lead slip away in the second quarter when Carroll added 15 points to their total, sending a score of 28-26 at halftime.
Manchester and Carroll kept things close in the second half, with the Lady Mavericks barely outscoring Carroll 16-14 before dominating the third quarter with an 11-5 showing to capture the 55-45 victory.
Kristen Morris, who left the game in the first half with a hand injury, led the Lady Mavs in scoring with 16 points, Mary Moses Hitt and Maggie Hughes finished with 15 points each.
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BOYS

City 50, Callaway 47
It was a battle up until the final buzzer between the Indians and Callaway. The Chargers missed a three point shot with one second left in regulation after losing the lead in the final minute of play. Yazoo City led Callaway at halftime 25-21 after scoring 15 points in the second quarter. However, the Chargers came out on fire in the third quarter with 20 points scored, while holding the Indians to just 10 points for a 41-35 lead. The Indians responded with 15 points in the fourth quarter. Derrick Little led the Indians with 17 points.

Gentry, 65 County 40
The Panthers of Yazoo County never could catch up with Indianola Gentry  in a 25-point loss. The Rams came out on fire with 18 points scored in the first quarter and 13 more in the second. Yazoo County managed just 11 points in each of the first two quarters. Gentry’s best quarter was the third when they held Yazoo County to just four points while adding 18 to their points total.

GIRLS

Callaway 39,  City 31
The Lady Indians’ struggles continued Tuesday night when they hosted Callaway in a 39-31 loss. However, Yazoo City led the Lady Chargers at the end of one quarter 11-9, but saw the lead slip away in the second quarter when Callaway scored 14 points to lead 23-22 at halftime. The second half would see a defensive battle with neither squad scoring more than nine points in a quarter. Callaway, however, still managed to outscore the Lady Indians for the final score of 39-31.

Gentry 42, County 35
The first half between the Lady Panthers and Indianola Gentry didn’t matter. Both teams went into the locker room at halftime with 18 points, setting up the final two quarters to be the ones that matter the most. The Lady Rams outscored Yazoo County 13-6 in the third quarter and that seven-point difference was all Gentry needed.

The Mitchell ReportBefore I even came to Yazoo City, I knew what the biggest rivalry in this town was.
Yazoo City vs. Yazoo County.
It’s a natural rivalry and one that players, coaches and fans all look towards for bragging rights.
This Saturday offers the third installment of the Battle of Yazoo for the 2011-2012 school year. The Indians have won all three meetings, including a 40-7 victory on the gridiron and a clean sweep in early December on Yazoo County’s home court.
So, will the Panthers or Lady Panthers finally get a win against their heated rival?
There are two chances for a team in blue to beat a team in red. The girls game will tip off at approximately 3 p.m. with the boys’ game following.
The last time these teams squared off I predicted the Lady Panthers to win their game and Yazoo City boys to win theirs. I got it halfway right. This time, though, I’m not changing my predictions. I still think the Yazoo County girls will win their game and the Yazoo City boys will win theirs.
My reasons for not changing the predictions are the same as before. The Indians are talented and play a zone defense that throws even the best of offenses off their game (right, Starkville?). The Lady Panthers don’t do one thing that makes them great, but it’s the little things they do right that gives them a chance at victory.
The best storyline, I think, is the fact that the Lady Indians only win of the season came against Yazoo County back in December. Will the Lady Panthers be out for revenge or will the Lady Indians show me they truly are the better team?
By Sunday morning, we’ll know the answer.