The Chilton County Tigers and Jemison Panthers varsity boys teams have won 33 of the 47 Chilton County tournaments since 1965.

The two teams faced off again Saturday night for the varsity boys tournament championship.

The Tigers beat the Panthers in a tight game early in the season, 54-46, but it was the Panthers who ended a nine-year tournament championship run by the Tigers last year, and came in to Saturday night’s game as the defending tournament champion.

With a crowd packed shoulder to shoulder and many standing all around the baseline, the Tigers beat the Panthers for the second time this season, 62-5,9 in the second game of the night that come down to the final seconds.

The Tigers (7-8, 0-4) jumped out to a 9-2 lead early in the first period, but 11 unanswered points would result in the Tigers ending the first period down 14-12.

Both teams would battle back and forth throughout the second period with the Panthers (15-6, 3-1) maintaining a 2-point advantage at the half, 29-27.

The third period became a 3-point shootout as both teams lit up the scoreboard from behind the arc.

B.J. Kornegay was the Jemison sharpshooter from 3-point range, hitting two of two during the third period.

Not to be out-done, Forrest Knight added three 3-pointers for the Tigers and Davre Williams added another in the third period.

The Tigers hot 3-point shooting gave them their first lead since early in the first period and a 49-46 lead to end the third period.

The Tigers maintained a slim margin over the Panthers throughout the fourth period but could not put the Panthers away.

Leading by two with 43 seconds to play, Nick Looney hit two from the free-throw line to give the Tigers a late 4-point lead.

A turnover by the Panthers on their next possession led to a Tigers breakaway, and Braylen Parker would put the exclamation point on the Tigers win by slamming home two points for the Tiger as Chilton County finished off the Panthers, 62-59, and reclaimed their County Tournament Championship.

Jamarcus Williams and Knight led the way for Chilton County.

Williams had 14 points, four rebounds and four steals, while Knight added 14 points, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range, two rebounds and a block.

Cade Hatch led all scorers for the Panthers with 17 points, five rebounds and a steal.

Austin Lovette added 15 points and a steal for the Panthers.