Tim Granger scored 11 points and led a trio of Catholic High players in double figures as the Panthers jumped out to an early lead and beat Assembly Christian 48-23 Thursday in a non-district boys’ basketball game.

Ryan Hebert and Evan Hebert each had 10 points for the Panthers, who jumped out to a 21-5 first quarter lead, survived a second- and third-quarter lull and then closed out the game with 10 points in the final period.

“We played some new guys, guys that got off the football field tonight,” said first-year CHS coach Ross Rix. “We got them into the rotation and we went through a little dry spell. But the kids fought hard and played well and we got the W.”

With the win, Catholic High improved to 7-2 on the season, while Assembly, which had won four of its last five games, fell to 4-7.

Probably the most important thing for Rix Thursday was getting his football players some game time and experience in the first-year coach’s system.

“The older guys, the ones that have been with me since practice started, they know the system,” said Rix. “What we needed was to get the football guys in and acquainted with the system and get some run up and down the basketball court.”

The Panthers extended the 21-5 lead to 34-16 at halftime, which allowed Rix to let some of the new players get some playing time.

The lack of experience showed late in the second and into the third and fourth  quarters.

CHS scored only 4 points in the third quarter but finished strong with a 10-point fourth quarter against the Lions, who had their own struggles.

“I thought we did a good job in parts of the game,” said ACS coach David Castillo. “Especially in the third quarter when we held them to only a few points.

“Our biggest problem was the fact that we had a hard time scoring in the game.”

With the exception of the second quarter, when Assembly scored 11 points, the Lions could only manage five points in each of the first and third quarters and two points in the final quarter.

It was a small setback for the Lions, who opened the season with five straight losses, but had rallied over the past five games with four wins. Tyler Hall led the Lions Thursday with 8 points.

Rix was happy with the win but is happier that the Panthers only have one game next week, Tuesday at home against Notre Dame. That gives the team some practice time so he can introduce his system to the football players who have turned to basketball after the prep football playoffs.

“Hopefully by the end of next week we can have them in the system,” said Rix. “We only have one game next week and then we have a break for exams and we’ll have a lot of practice time.

“Right now we need more practice time than game time.”

Assembly Christian travels to Catholic High of Pointe Coupee Monday.