The first day of a girls basketball tournament at Jemison on Thursday featured three of the area’s four new coaches making their debuts.

Ab Argent was the only one that came away with a win as his Thorsby team defeated Billingsley, who this year will be coached by Emily Snead, 60-36.

“We did some things well, and then, I think, we had some very correctable mistakes,” Argent said. “This was definitely something we can build on.”

The Rebels were led by Sharonda Cooper’s 23 points, 20 of which came in the first half, and Amanda Hubbard’s 15 points.

But Argent bemoaned his team’s inability to sink free throws. Thorsby was only 3-for-21 from the charity stripe.

“We did a good job of getting to the free throw line, but then we have to finish,” Argent said.

Viola Tyus had a team-high 14 points for Billingsley.

In the nightcap, Jemison spoiled Amy Springer’s first game as Isabella’s coach, 38-25.

Both Kelsie Mims and Katika Nunn had 10 points. Mims added six rebounds, and Nunn grabbed nine boards.

Shelby Lopez had eight points and nine steals.

“I told my team that the difference between this team and the past couple of years is that we play with guts,” said Jemison coach Leighsa Robinson, the tournament’s veteran. “We weren’t timid. We drove the ball. And we played outstanding defense.”

Jemison and Thorsby will play the third game of the round robin tournament at 2 p.m. on Friday at Jemison’s Alton Cobb Gymnasium. Billingsley and Isabella will follow at 4 p.m.