Revenge was sweet for the Butler County Magnet School Panthers on Monday night.

The Panthers avenged an earlier season loss to St. Jude with a 65-46 victory.

“This was a big turnaround game for us,” said BCMS boys coach Kirk Norris. “They (St. Jude) came down here, beat us pretty bad, and won our own Thanksgiving tournament. But this game showed that we’ve come a long way since the beginning of the year. I’m very proud of our kids. It was a satisfying win.”

St. Jude won that first game 64-36.

This time, though, it was the Panthers getting the victory, led by Victor Marshall’s 19 points. Tay Feagin scored 13 points and LaCory Savage added 10 also for BCMS.

Courtney Brooks scored 12 points to lead St. Jude.

The game was originally supposed to be played in Montgomery, said Norris, but heating problems at the St. Jude gymnasium forced the game to be moved to Georgiana.

BCMS improved to 10-7 on the year, but for Norris it’s not about the team’s overall record.

“Our record is not as good as it was this time last year,” he said. “We wanted to go out and play tough teams to get ready for our area and when the playoffs come around. That was my philosophy.”

BCMS lost to 5A Eufaula 45-38 in the first round of the Dothan Eagle/Dothan Progress Holiday Classic. But Norris said just being invited and playing in the tourney was a great experience.

“I think it’s going to help our guys down the road,” he said.