Pierce County’s Bears picked up their first win during a split of action against visiting Bacon County and at Wayne County.
The Bears (1-5), who had dropped 11 of their last 12 games dating back to last season, ended a sixgame losing streak with a 56-40 home win Tuesday, December 10 over Bacon County (3-3). PCHS dropped the November 19 matchup 70-51 in Alma.
It marked the second straight season the two teams split. The Red Raiders holdsa 9-8 series advantage dating back to 2005-06.
Pierce County followed with a 70-46 loss Friday, December 13 to Wayne County. The Yellow Jackets have won five straight in the series and 12 of the last 15 matchups dating back to 2017-18.
The Bears close out the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule with three games this week. The Bears visited Clinch County Monday (December 16), hosted Jeff Davis Tuesday (December 17) and travel Friday, December 20 to Brantley County.
PCHS opens the new year Friday, January 3 going to Region 3-AA foe Tattnall County. Wayne County visits Bearville Saturday, January 4.
Bears .....................56 Bacon County ........40 BEARVILLE — Joe Drew scored a game-high 20 points and Gabe Varnadore followed with 14 points helping Pierce County notch its first win of the season.
Drew scored 12 points in the first half. Varnadore hit a pair of threes in scoring eight points in the final period.
Pierce County never trailed against the Red Raiders. PCHS grabbed an 8-6 lead by the end of the first period. The Bears outscored Bacon County 17-8 in the second stanza to build a 25-14 halftime lead.
Bacon County sliced three points off the deficit in the third period outpointing the Bears 15-12 to trail 37-29. PCHS pulled away over the final eight minutes, outscoring the visitors 19-11.
Jikeyse McGauley nailed three three-pointers to score nine points for the Bears. Ahmad Arnold (trey) followed with six points. Trent Griffin (trey) netted three points with Brandon Williams and Parker White contributing two points apiece.
Bacon County was led by the 17 points of Xavier Harris.
Wayne County .......70 Bears.....................46 JESUP — The host Yellow Jackets outscored PCHS by 24 points over the last three periods to pull away from a first quarter tie.
The Bears battled Wayne County to a 15-all draw through the first eight minutes. The Yellow Jackets used a 17-8 scoring advantage in the second quarter to take a 32-23 lead at intermission.
The home team padded its margin by four points during the third period outscoring Pierce County 18-14 to open up a 50-37 lead. Wayne County dominated the final stanza outscoring the Bears 20-9.
Drew was the lone double figure scorer for PCHS scoring 13 of his teamleading 16 points over the final 16 minutes. Arnold netted nine points.
McGauley (two treys) and Varnadore (trey) contibuted eight points apiece. Williams and Griffin netted three points and two points respectively.
Wayne County had a trio of double-figure scorers led by Dwayne Smith’s 14 points. Harald Dasher scored 11 of his 13 points over the final eight minutes. Gavin Hitton bagged 11 points.
