The Americus-Sumter Panthers and Lady Panthers both won their final region 1AAAA matches of the regular season on Feb. 6 in Bainbridge. The Panthers pulled in a narrow 69-66 against the Bainbridge Bearcats in the exciting match and the Lady Panthers bested the Lady Bearcats 53-46.

With the win, the Panthers improve their region record to 12-4 and take second place in region 1AAAA for the regular season. The Albany High Indians came in first place with a region record of 14-4 on the season. The Panthers are 1-1 against Albany High on the season after logging a 47-43 home win against them in November and falling 51-56 against them in a January away game. The Bainbridge win brings the Panthers to 1-1 against the Bearcats on the season. The Panthers are currently ranked eighth in the state in AAAA competition.

The Panthers will begin the region tournament on Feb. 10 at Albany High School.

The Lady Panthers’ exciting victory solidifies their spot in first place in region 1AAAA play with a 15-1 record. The Lady Bearcats dealt the Lady Panthers their only defeat of the in a January contest in Americus. The Bainbridge girls take a close second in the region with a 13-2 record. The Lady Panthers are currently ranked third n the state in AAAA play.

The Lady Panthers are to begin the region tournament on Feb. 10 in Americus.

 The Georgia High School Association AAAA state tournament is scheduled to begin on Feb. 17-18.

 According to the GHSA website, if they remain in second place after the region tournament, the Panthers will face the third seed from region 2AAAA to begin the tournament. The Upson-Lee Knights of Thomaston are currently seeded third in that region. The Lady Panthers are to face the fourth seeded team from region 2AAAA if they keep their ranking after the region tournament. The Perry High School Lady Panthers are currently seeded fourth in region 2AAAA.