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The South Middle School Trojans beat the East Panthers 42-38 at home Thursday for their second win of the season.

The lead changed hands in every quarter with the Trojans pulling ahead for good in the final 30 seconds to pick up a hard-fought victory.

The opening period set the tone for the day with multiple lead changes and ties before the Panthers ended the first quarter with a slight 10-8 advantage.

The Trojans scored the last six points of the second quarter with Jacoba Fells hitting a layup with about a minute left in the half to give South the lead for the rest of the period.

They led 18-17 at halftime.

There were another six lead changes in the third quarter alone as the back-and-forth action for the period ended with baskets from Kaveon Sutton and Odeviyon Poe to put South in front.

The Trojans led 27-24 going into the final period.

The Trojans led by as many as four points early in the fourth quarter before the Panthers came back to tie the score at 32-32 with about three minutes left.

A shot by William Money with about 2:35 left briefly put the Trojans back in front by a score of 34-32, but the Panthers scored the next four points to take a 36-34 lead late.

A 3-point play by Money to flip the scoreboard again was answered by a go-ahead layup from the Panthers to put the Trojans behind by a 38-37 margin with 42 seconds on the clock.

However, the Trojans jumped back ahead one more time as Sutton hit a 3-pointer with 25 seconds remaining to give South a 40-38 lead.

A player for East was able to draw a foul with 10.7 seconds left and went to the line with a chance to tie the game, but both of his attempts from the charity stripe missed with the rebound being grabbed by the Trojans.

Sutton was intentionally fouled with four seconds remaining and hit both of his ensuing free throws to make it a two-possession game, and a turnover by the Panthers with less than two seconds to go sealed the four-point win for the Trojans.

Sutton led the Trojans with 17 points for the game, followed by Money with nine points and Fells and Poe with six points each.

Brennan Taylor scored four points.

With the win, the Trojans improved to 2-2 on the season.

They will next play Monday at home against Winchester Christian Academy. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.