Tiftarea Academy has been getting the most out of the entire roster recently, including from players such as Harmon Maraman (21) and Casen Royal (30). They have won two straight and go for No. 3 tonight.

TIFTON — Seven days ago, Tiftarea Academy’s boys basketball team had two wins. The Panthers, who have had two straight seasons of four wins, had not even taken consecutive games in nearly three years.

All of that has changed during the past week.

It began last Friday in Chula against Terrell Academy. Trailing by double-digits late, Tiftarea went on a wild scoring spree and defeated the Eagles, 55-52. Tuesday, they copped at 43-40 win at Valwood.

“We’re sure enjoying it,” said head coach Mike Patrick, whose team is now 4-8.

Last year, their fourth win came Feb. 10. In 2015-16, win No. 4 was Feb. 9. Amazingly, the Panthers had not been able to string two consecutive victories together since January 2015. The Valwood victory erased another streak; Tiftarea had not won a Region 3-AAA road game in two years, the last coming over Terrell Academy near the end of the 2014-15 season (Terrell has since dropped to Class AA).

Tiftarea will have the chance to make it three straight tonight against Southland Academy in Chula. The girls game will tip at 6:30 p.m., with the boys to follow.

Though Patrick was shocked by the Terrell victory last Friday, he was more surprised by Valwood.

“Nobody saw that coming,” he said.

Valwood had only lost once on the year entering Tuesday. The Valiants had defeated Crisp Academy, Flint River Academy and Westwood, all teams that had won over Tiftarea this season.

Patrick said his squad “played our style,” and defended well against Valwood star Cam Walker.

The Terrell win, he said, “was pretty sweet.”

So sweet, he cannot remember another one like it during his 24-year coaching career.

“I’ve never had a comeback like that,” Patrick said.

The big secret to the recent surge?

“We’re more competitive,” he said.

Tiftarea has also been playing with an expanded lineup. Fourteen of 15 players got in against Valwood, 13 of the 15 against Terrell. That has meant that many more players have been able to contribute.

Banks Johnson had a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer against Terrell and Harmon Maraman played well of the bench and Brandon Mullis provided a spark against Valwood with nine points. Maraman was out sick against Valwood, but should be ready tonight.

Of course, his regulars have continued to make an impact.

Spence Massey scored 12 points in the fourth quarter against Terrell Academy, including the go-ahead points in the final 30 seconds. He had 24 points overall.

Southland will bring an 11-1 record to Tiftarea, having only lost to Crisp Academy.

Besides that contest, the Lady Panthers will attempt to increase their mark to 12-1. Tiftarea’s girls won 57-22 at Valwood, with Abby Carswell scoring 16 points and Carson Bryan adding 14.