The Georgiana Panthers varsity boys squad got off to a roaring start in 2016 by clinching a first-place finish at the 18th annual Red Level Christmas Tournament.

The Panthers faced off with the hosting Class 4A Andalusia Bulldogs in the championship round, which was a rematch from last year’s tournament.

The Panthers once again proved victorious once again with a 43-35 win in the defensive struggle against the Bulldogs.

The win nets the Panthers’ fourth championship in six years (2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015).

Tournament MVP Jacquez Payton posted 17 points for the Panthers, and Richard Boggan also reached double-figures with 10 points.  The game broke Boggan’s impressive streak of 36 consecutive double-double performances.

BJ Anderson and Trevor Parker led the Bulldogs with 14 points and 13 points respectively.

The All-Tournament team award winners were Jacquez Payton, Richard Boggan, Quan Crenshaw, JaMichael Stallworth and Nizaiah Smith.

The road to the championship wasn’t an easy one for the Panthers, however.

The Panthers first prevailed over the Pike County Bulldogs in the first round of the tournament with a 78-65 win.

Boggan led all scorers with 24 points and 20 rebounds, while Payton and Crenshaw each chipped in with 16 points and 10 points respectively.

The semifinal round saw the Panthers facing the Straughn Tigers, where Georgiana came out on top 50-41.

Payton led the Panthers with 15 points, and Smith finished the game with 11 points.  Boggan added 10 points and 14 rebounds.

The Georgiana varsity girls enjoyed success at the Red Level Christmas tournament, as well, with a 38-24 win over Red Level.

Miya Riley led all scorers with 23 points, and Hannah Colvin led Red Level with 15.

The Panthers extended their regular season record to 11-0 with a remarkable 101-19 win over the Highland Home Flying Squadron on the road Monday.

The Panthers enter area play as Georgiana hosts the rivaling McKenzie Tigers Thursday.