“We need games right now.”

This was how head coach Robert Wells of Class 3A 7th ranked Brookland-Cayce approached Saturday’s home matchup with top-ranked Class 5A Ridge View. 

Playing just for the 2nd time in a month against the 3-time state champion Blazers made for an even more formidable task for the Bearcats. And while B-C ended up on the losing end of the 87-53 outcome to Ridge View, Wells believes such contests will serve the team well for the busy slate of Region 5-3A games scheduled the next 2 weeks.

“The biggest thing our kids will get out of it is that it’s just another chance to get on the court,” Wells said. “And the more chances you get on the court, the better our team is prepared for the next 6-7 region games that we have coming up.”

Brookland-Cayce (6-2, 2-0) played an inspired 1st quarter. A 3-pointer as time expired by Jahmari Kennedy, who had a game-high 24 points, gave Brookland-Cayce a 21-20 lead. 

Brookland-Cayce opened the 2nd quarter with 9 unanswered points to take control of the game. Tyler Rice connected on 2 of his 5 3-pointers in succession to open the quarter and finished with 17 points. 

Ridge View (9-2, 4-0) led 43-30 at halftime. Jaylen Jeter opened the 2nd half with 11 of the Blazers’ 26 points in the 3rd quarter to match the Bearcarts’ entire point total. He finished with a team-high 18 points.

Gregory Jackson and Dayeon Thomas also scored in double figures for Ridge View with 12 points each. 

B-C outscored Ridge View 12-11 in the 4th quarter as Aubrey Richardson finished with 10 points. By playing against a team which played to the final whistle, Wells hopes this will inspire his team moving forward.

Up next for the Bearcats is a road contest against Swansea, followed by home games Friday against the Tigers and Saturday versus Gilbert. Only junior varsity and varsity boys will take place as the varsity girls have officially ended its season.