A vast improvement over last season was still a loss for Jemison.

The Panthers (5-7 before Wednesday’s game against Holt) lost 86-76 on Tuesday, which is still considerably better than the 103-22 loss they suffered just last season.

“I thought we did a pretty good job of breaking their press in the first half, but they picked up the intensity in the third quarter and we just couldn’t match it,” Jemison coach Stacy McGehee said.

The Panthers trailed only 40-36 at halftime but were outscored 28-16 in the third period.

Trey Bryant led Jemison with 26 points.

Scottie Hall, Brandon Jones and Zak Kaylor scored 10 points each.

Hall also had 16 rebounds.