The first half of the basketball season in Lincoln County saw several schools facing each other, from early season matchups to the Lincoln County tournament.

Now that the new year is upon us, district play begins for all teams in the county.

District play is where the games matter more and teams find out where they belong against the competition.

Every win in district play will help their chances of making it to the playoffs and every loss will hurt those chances.

It’s the most important part of the season and after the long break, teams will be ready to go when the new year hits and district play starts.

The Brookhaven Panthers are currently in Laurel for the West Jones tournament, but start district play Jan. 6 on the road at Natchez. District will then continue for the Panthers with two more road games at Provine and at Wingfield. The Panthers sit atop the 5A Region 6 standings with a 9-3 record, with a large lead over Natchez, who’s next in the standings at 3-6 overall. Brookhaven should be in good shape when district play rolls around with a large lead and momentum from the West Jones tournament carrying them into the new year.

The Lady Panthers are also currently in the West Jones tournament and start district play Jan. 6 on the road against Natchez. The Lady Panthers are currently tied for the top spot in the 5A Region 6 standings at 4-9 overall with Provine. District play will be crucial for the Lady Panthers after they struggled to start the season and can turn it around by racking up wins in district.

Bogue Chitto boys and girls have each struggled to an extent during the first half of the season and have hills to climb to make up the deficit in district play. The Bobcats enter 2017 with a 2-12 overall record and sit at the bottom of 1A Region 7 standings. The Bobcats will need a turnaround fast with games against Franklin County and North Pike coming in the new year before district play starts.

The Lady Bobcats enter 2017 at 5-7 overall, winning their last two games before the break. The defending state champs sit in second place in the 1A Region 7 standings behind undefeated Mississippi School for the Deaf. The two teams will face off  Jan. 19 for the first time.

Enterprise boys and girls are both in good position in the district, with the Yellow Jackets in first and the Lady Jackets in second. The Boys 2A Region 7 standings have Enterprise, West Lincoln and Loyd Star all sitting at the top three spots in the standings. Enterprise is in first with a 9-5 record, followed by West Lincoln at 6-7 then Loyd Star at 3-5.

The Loyd Star Lady Hornets stand atop of the girls 2A Region 7 standings at 8-0, just above Enterprise at 12-2 so far on the season.

West Lincoln sits at the bottom of the standings at 4-9, losing six of their last seven games. Bassfield, Prentiss and Amite County will join the three Lincoln County schools in battling it out for the top spot in district.

The Wesson Cobras are the leaders of 3A Region 7 so far this season at 8-3 overall, holding a slim lead over Port Gibson and Franklin County. The Cobras will start district play at Jefferson County on Jan. 6.

The Lady Cobras are in the exact opposite position as they sit in last place of the 3A Region 7 standings at 2-8. The Lady Cobras enter 2017 losing their last five games and face undefeated Loyd Star on Jan. 3 before district play starts on Jan. 6 as they travel to face Jefferson County.

The Brookhaven Academy Cougars stand in second in the MAIS AAA District 4 standings at 12-2 on the season, only behind Columbia Academy, which stands undefeated at 7-0. The Lady Cougars hold a lead in first place at 10-5 overall with Simpson Academy trailing behind at 10-7. The Cougars and Lady Cougars start district play  Jan. 3 at Adams County Christian and follow that with another road trip at Laurel Christian  Jan. 6.