Pierce County’s Bears split a pair of back-to-back non-region games early in the week falling on the road and winning at home.
The Bears (2-7) lost a 56-50 decision Monday, December 16 in Homerville to Clinch County. The Panthers have won the last two meetings with PCHS.
Pierce County followed with a thrilling 60-59 victory Tuesday, December 17 over visiting Jeff Davis for a split in the season series. The Yellow Jackets won the December 3 matchup in Hazlehurst 65-54. The two teams have split the last 16 encounters dating back to 2005-06.
PCHS opens the new year Friday, January 3 going to Region 3-AA foe Tattnall County. Wayne County visits Bearville Saturday, January 4.
Clinch County ...........................................56 Bears ........................................................50 HOMERVILLE — Aaron Bryant blistered the nylons scoring a game-high 32 points leading the Panthers past PCHS.
Bryant scored 17 of his 23 second-half points in the fourth period. He was 11-of-16 from the charity stripe.
Pierce County claimed a 10-7 lead after one period. The Panthers fought back outscoring PCHS 13-10 in the second quarter to even the score at 20-all at intermission.
The Panthers outpointed the visitors 12-9 in the third stanza to take a 32-29 lead into the final eight minutes. The scoring pace quickened in the fourth period with Clinch County outscoring the Bears 24-21 Joe Drew (trey) was the lone double figure scorer for PCHS finishing with 13 points. Gabe Varnadore (two threes) and Brandon Williams followed with nine points and eight points respectively.
Nigel Brown chipped in seven points in his season debut. Jikeyse McGauley (trey) and Trent Griffin (trey) added five points each. Ahmad Arnold bagged three points.
Bears........................................................60 Jeff Davis..................................................59 BEARVILLE — Drew’s final three points, his second trey of the game, proved to be the difference as PCHS escaped with the win over the Yellow Jackets.
Drew finished the night with a team-high 22 points. Malach Smith (two treys) led Jeff Davis with a game-high 27 points. His second trey provided the Yellow Jackets’ final points.
Jeff Davis raced out to a 21-15 lead through the opening eight minutes. The Yellow Jackets increased the margin by one in the second stanza outscoring Pierce County 16-15 for a 37-30 halftime advantage.
PCHS sliced two points off the deficit in the third quarter outscoring the visitors 11-9 to trail 46-41. The Bears rally continued over the final eight minutes outscoring Jeff Davis 19-13 for the win.
Brown and McGauley (two threes) joined Drew in double figures scoring 11 points and 10 points respectively. Varnadore (trey) and Williams contributed five points and four points respectively.
