Quitman boys took a 2-0 lead on an early bucket by Levi Thompson just 20 seconds into the game and never fell behind in an exciting 59-54 win on the road at Edgewood.

The Quitman vs. Edgewood basketball rivalry is longstanding, and it has been over a decade since Bulldogs took down their nemesis on the road.

It was another team effort with a well-balanced scoring attack, stout defensive play and beating the Edgewood full court press without much trouble.

Quitman was leading comfortably 44-31 after three quarters. Edgewood went on a 9-0 run in the first two minutes of the third quarter, cutting the Quitman lead to 44-40. Payton Sapp’s two free throws at 6:12 left in the game made it 46-40. 

Edgewood came back to cut the score to 46-44 when Tomas Sabedra made two free throws. Hunter Jacobs hit two more charity tosses with 3:18 left giving Quitman a 48-44 lead. 

Edgewood came within 52-50 in the last minute, but the experienced Quitman quintet did not fold as they held on for the win. In that decisive final quarter, Quitman was good on 11-14 free throws.

Landon Richey, Garin Kisinger and Ethan Presley did a great job controlling the lane with solid defensive effort during the contest.

Jacobs and Brady Floyd led Quitman scoring with 15 each points followed by Thompson with 13 and Sapp nine.