Last Friday, both Jones Longhorns’ basketball teams took on two highly touted Harrah Panther squads in two games. Game one was decided by turnovers while the second was a close call that could have ended very differently.

When the girls squared off, 4A’s No. 3 ranked Panthers won, 42-21.

The Lady Longhorns started the game with 7 turnovers. Normally, turnovers are a sure sign of a blow-out game, but at the end of the first half, the Lady Panthers’ lead was only 17-11.

The third quarter is where the game took a definite turn for Harrah. The Lady Panthers scored 14 to out-score the Lady Longhorns handily, who only scored 4 points in the quarter.

In the final quarter, Harrah extended their lead over Jones with an 11-4 quarter. The game ended with Harrah scoring 42 points, grabbing 17 rebounds and snatching 9 steals.

Blake Blessington led Harrah with 18 points, 5 steals and 2 rebounds.

The Lady Panthers survived the loss of their starting post Macy Davis, who was out sick.

"We overcame some things, but I thought our defense was good," said Jones Head Coach Penni Young.

For Jones, the lead scorer was Teddi Homan, who scored 11 points in the game.

"Well, we didn’t play very good tonight to be honest with you," said Harrah Head Coach Curt Knox. "[Jones is] a good team. We’re 11-1 now, and we just have to get back to shooting the ball in rhythm doing the fundamental things."

It was a different story when the men took the floor.

Jones gave the No. 5 ranked team in 5A all they could handle throughout the night.

Both teams were tied at 8 all at the end of the first due in part to 3 turnovers by the Panthers. Harrah then outscored Jones 18-8 in the second quarter.

Jones pulled back into the game winning the next two quarters, 14-10 and 14-11, respectively.

The game came down to the last two minutes as Jones scraped themselves back into a one possession ball game.

On the last play of the game, Jones passed the ball down the court hoping for the 3-pointer that would win the game. The shot bounced off the rim, and the final score would end up 47-44 in favor of the Panthers.

Jones’ leading scorer Garret Goddard with 12.

"[We played] really well, the best we’ve played all year, especially defensively," said Jones Head Coach Kenny Daugherty. "Our goal was just to try to keep it with in 10 and give ourselves a chance at the end."

Collin Jennings led the Panthers with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assist and a steal.

"I thought we played a little flat for the most part. We’ve got to work on offensive execution and getting the ball inside," said Harrah Head Coach Bryan Jennings.

The Panthers are 11-2 for the season while the Jones men fall to 4-6.

All four teams are back on the floor for a three-day tournament hosted by Jones, which starts Jan. 23.