MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County ninth-grade boys basketball team opened its 2006-2007 season with a 52-50 victory over Thomasville on Thursday at the Gladys Espy Gymnasium.

Colquitt led 27-23 at the half, then hung on for the victory.

The freshmen Packers were led in scoring by Jeremy Downs, who had 18 points.

Derrell Ward and Dominique Pressley each had eight, Nathaniel Hill added five, Lawhe Wingfield and Marcus Spradley had three and Quin Roberson, Sam Cokely, Amel Magwood and Nyneson Jeudy each had two points.

The ninth-graders, under coach Keith Hose, will play again at 10 a.m. Saturday against Valdosta at the Espy Gymnasium.