By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

DOUGLASVILLE – Despite a big night from junior guard Jarrious Jefferson, the Troup Tigers lost to Chapel Hill 57-51 on Tuesday in their Region 5-AAAA opener.

Jefferson scored 29 points and also had nine assists, six rebounds and four steals in the road loss.

The Tigers were up 46-41 midway through the final period, but the Panthers rallied for the six-point win.

In the girls’ game, Troup lost a 50-49 heartbreaker to Chapel Hill.

The Lady Tigers scored 23 points in the fourth period, nearly matching their point total from the first three quarters combined, but it wasn’t enough.

Shaqoya Gilbert had a productive game for Troup with 20 points, and she made two 3-pointers and was 4-of-5 from the free-throw line.

Akhya Mitchell added 10 points for Troup.

The Lady Tigers trailed 11-10 after the first quarter, 18-16 through two periods, and 31-26 heading into the fourth quarter.

Gilbert scored 10 of her points in the fourth period as Troup heated up offensively, and Kwyneshia Spence hit a 3-pointer.

It wasn’t quite enough, though, as Central-Carroll scored 19 points of its own in the fourth period to secure the home win.

Troup’s teams will look for their first region wins when they host Sandy Creek on Friday.