Pierce County split in weekend action with the Bears falling in their Region 3-AA opener at Tattnall County and shocking Class 4A Wayne County.
PCHS (3-8 overall, 0-1 region) lost for the seventh time in the last eight meetings against the Warriors falling 58-39 Friday, January 3 in Reidsville. Tattnall County owns a 25-7 series lead dating back to 201011.
The Bears garnered a split in the season series with Wayne County following a 55-54 home victory Saturday ending a fivegame skid in the matchup. The Yellow Jackets notched a 70-46 decision December 13 at home and lead the series 11-5 since 2017-18.
Pierce County has three games scheduled this week, which started Tuesday (January 7 against region foe Cook in Adel. The Bears host Crisp County Friday, January 10 in a region tilt. PCHS ends the week traveling Saturday, January 11 traveling to McIntosh County Academy.
Pierce County goes to regionmate Appling County Tuesday, January 17 and will host Clinch County Wednesday, January 18.
Tattnall Co. ............58 Bears .....................39
REIDSVILLE — Tattnall County slowly pulled away from a seven-point first quarter lead in beating the Bears.
The Warriors led 11-4 after the first eight minutes. They outscored Pierce County 12-8 in the second quarter to take a 23-12 lead into the break.
Tattnall County extended the margin by the end of the third period outscoring the Bears 15-13 for a 38-25 lead. The Warriors closed the game outscoring PCHS 20-14 over the final eight minutes.
Joe Drew led the Bears with a game-high and career- high 26 points connecting on five threes. Drew scored 21 points over the final 16 minutes.
Gabe Varnadore (trey) and Brandon Williams were the only other players to score for Pierce County finishing with seven points and six points respectively.
The Warriors had a trio of players finish with 44 points to outscore PCHS. Tattnall County received 23 points from Justin McMillan with 16 coming in the second half. Keyon Calhoun followed with 11 points with Jawan Williams adding 10.
Bears......................55 Wayne Co. ..............54
BEARVILLE — PCHS withstood a last second field goal attempt by the Yellow Jackets to survive.
Varnadore’s (15 points, trey) two-point basket in the final 30 seconds gave the Bears a 55-54 lead. Wayne County’s final attempt went awry with PCHS able to secure the ball.
The Yellow Jackets stormed out to a 21-10 first quarter advantage. Pierce County battled back outpointing the visitors 20-9 in the second period to tie the game at 30-all at intermission.
Wayne County seized control in the third stanza outscoring the Bears 15-9 to grab a 45-39 advantage. PCHS followed by outpointing the Yellow Jackets 16-9 over the final eight minutes to get the win.
Drew recorded his second straight 20-point game finishing with 20 points to lead the Bears. Williams and Ahmad Arnold followed Varnadore with six points and five points respectively.
