Liberty County High School’ basketball teams suffered losses at Richmond Hill this past Tuesday in two close games.

The Liberty Lady Panthers lost to the Lady Wildcats 39-33. The Panther boys lost the game by only two points falling 58-56.

In the girls matchup each team traded baskets with the first quarter showing the Lady Panthers up by one point (12-11). The defensive battle continued into the second quarter where the Lady Wildcats took the lead at intermission 19-17.

The Lady Wildcats held the advantage by outscoring the Liberty girls by four points in the second half of play.

Lady Panther Domonique Roberts led the team with nine points. Kiara Edwards had eight and Jasmine Brooke had seven. Roberts and Meleina Davis each hit a three-point shot.

Edwards was 2-of-6 at the line and Brooks was 3-of-5.

In the boys game the Panthers are still trying to make do without Davion Mitchell who has a foot injury.

Richmond Hill had a seven point lead at the close of the first quarter but the game was tied 26-26 at the half.

Liberty took a 38-35 lead at the end of the third but the Wildcats outscored the Panthers 23-18 in the final quarter for the two-point win.

Junior Will Richardson continues to lead the team scoring 20 points. Tyreon Freeman had 16 points and Tracey White had 11.

Richardson was 6-of-11 at the line. Freeman was 2-for-2 and Jaalon Frazier was 3-of-4.

The Liberty boys are 3-3 overall. The Lady Panthers are 1-4.

Both squads will open region 2-AAA play tonight at Long County High School.

The girls’ game starts at 7 p.m. The Lady Tide are 4-3 overall. The boys’ game starts at 8:30 p.m. the Blue Tide boys are 5-3.