Staff Reports

OXFORD – Early last February, the Spring Garden Lady Panthers lost their only game of the 2022-23 basketball season at Class 6A Oxford by six points.

In that game, point guard Ace Austin was recovering from food poisoning but still finished with 11 points.

On Friday night, the Lady Panthers returned to the site of their only loss last season, only this time Austin was feeling much better. The Alabama commitment led the Lady Panthers with 27 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, to go along with 11 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and a steal in a 63-50 victory.

The win improved Class 1A, No. 1 Spring Garden’s record to 13-0.

Chloe Rule tossed in 16 points for the Lady Panthers. Maggie Jarrett managed 15 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal. Olivia Law finished with five points, nine rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.

Spring Garden held a 14-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Panthers extended their lead to 32-23 at halftime and 48-37 after three quarters.