THOMASTON &8212; With 2:33 remaining on the clock in a game dominated early by the A.L. Johnson Eagles, Marengo High School&8217;s B-team boys finally evened the playing field and put themselves in a position to win by tying up the game, 25 all.

Still holding the possession edge, the Eagles played conservative while the Panthers struggled to get over the hump and take control. With a mere 19 seconds left on the clock the Panthers did just that, off a lay-up in traffic. Reversing roles, the Panthers managed to hold the lead as the clock clicked to zero and the Eagles watched as their previously secured opening game turned from a win to a loss.

The Eagles came into the game as fired up as the Panthers went out of it, dominating the first quarter 16-6. The Eagles dropped off in the second quarter, adding four to Marengo&8217;s six, before again taking the initiative in the third, outscoring their opponent 7-5.

But the panther&8217;s 12-point run in the final quarter, outdid the Eagles, who could only counter with four in the final period.

Leading scorers for the panthers were Terry Cole, with 14 points, and Demetrius Craig, with 13. The leading scorers for the Eagles were Kendarius Fritz, with 14, and Mike Cannon, with eight.