Tatum's Desmond Fite draws the attention of the Panthers defense in the Eagles 61-51, last Friday night in New London, at West Rusk High School. Tatum and Bullard tied for the league title with 8-2 records, however the Eagles earned a first round bye with the win at West Rusk High School last Friday night. The Panthers will play Center in Rusk,on Tuesday at 7 p.m. NEW LONDON - After all said and done, who wanted a bye anyway?

Make no mistake, Bullard fought shot-forshot for the open date but unfortunately for Bullard, the shots were not falling as Tatum took a 61-51, seeding game win to earn a first round bye in the UIL Class 3A playoff scenario. Last week Chapel Hill beat Gilmer, 61-54 in their regular season finale to sew up one playoff spot. Meanwhile, Bullard was handing Tatum their second league setback, forcing the tie at the top, and the co-championship.

Tatum (23-9), earned their bye with a tough defense forcing 21 Bullard turnovers in a game that the Eagles never trailed.

A staunch Tatum press created too many miscues in the early going as Tatum spotted a 17-10 lead that was really never in danger.

Tatum's Desmond Fite scored 12 of his game-high 19 points in the second half to pace the win, while Matt Brown spread out 18 points in the game.

Brown scored 16 of his 18 points in the first three periods as Tatum led 4 4 - 3 2 . The Panthers (23-11), will be the second-seed and play a bi-district game on Tuesday against a team to be determined. Bullard's Josiah Rosebury nailed two, 3-pointers and scored 13 of his team-high 15 points in the final half of play. Daniel Howard joined Rosebury in doubledigits for the Panthers with 11 points.

Howard made two free throws midway through the third period for a 35-30 deficit, leading to a 27-23, Tatum lad at intermission.

The Panthers will play bi-district in Rusk against Center, with a 7 p.m. tip off slated.

See the next edition of the Banner Sports for the story.

District 17-3A Playoff Seeding Game Tatum 61, Bullard 51 Bullard 10 13 9 19 -51 Tatum 17 10 17 17 -61 BULLARD - Daniel Howard, 11; Lance Anding, 8; Koby Greene, 2; Josiah Rosebury, 15; Brandon Beavers, 6; Ryan Wood, 1; Marquez Franklin, 3; Charlie Moore, 4. TATUM - Junior Watkins, 4; De Palmer, 3; Matt Brown, 18; Delvin McIlwain, 2; Steadman Coleman, 10; Quentin Pipken, 5; Desmond Fite, 1 9 . THREE-POINT GOALS - T: Palmer, Pipken. B: Rosebury (2). RECORDS - Bullard 23- 11. Tatum 23-9. NEXT UP- Bullard vs. Center, at Rusk, 7 p.m., Tuesday. Tatum earns topseed and first round bye.