By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

RICHTON — The George County County boys snapped a brief two game losing streak Thursday afternoon in opening day play at the annual Richton Holiday Invitational Tournament Thursday afternoon.

The Rebels bounced North Forrest 55-44 in the fourth game of the six game affair. The tournament will continue two more days with six days as well each day before wrapping up on Saturday night. The win moved GCHS back to the .500 mark at 5-5. overall.

George County got off to a 25-16 halftime lead over the Eagles from Eatonville and steadily secured the win throughout the second half.

Jeremiah Bolton tallied a game-high 20 points to lead the Rebels to the win, while Justice Gaines chipped in nine points to the winning effort and LaTaurus Bradley added seven points to the winning effort.

North Forrest dropped to 1-6 overall with the loss.

George County was set to face Greene County Friday afternoon in day two play in the Richton tourney and then square off with Poplarville Saturday night to wrap things up.

The Rebels, under the direction of veteran head coach Terry Bradley, were coming off two straight losses over the past six days in Region 4-6A play as GCHS fell at home to both Hancock (62-48) and Pascagoula (59-48) to open league play.

In the loss to the defending region champion Panthers on Tuesday, Tylon Wilson scored 17 points to pace PHS and Blake Nettles finished with 13 points. Tomareo Johnson joined Nettles and Wilson in double digits as he chipped in 11 points in the winning effort.

The sophomore standout Bolton drained a game-high 22 points to lead the Rebels while Bradley joined him in double figures with 15 and Kaison Fairley added nine points for GCHS.

The Lady Panthers made it a clean sweep for the visitors Tuesday night in Lucedale as they thumped GCHS 50-20.

Massyah Thomas tallied 13 points to guide PHS to the win, while Khyliyah finished the game with 11 points.

DeKari McNair led GCHS with nine points.