The Bainbridge High School Bearcats defeated the visiting Harris County High School Tigers, 71-49, Wednesday, in a Region 1-AAAAA Tournament play-in game. The win advanced the Bearcats into the state Class AAAAA tournament bracket.

They opened play in the Region 1-AAAAA Tournament on Friday in Bainbridge, with a game against Columbus’s Hardaway High School Golden Hawks. That game was not complete by press time, but will be covered in the Wednesday, Feb. 20, edition of The Post-Searchlight.

Also in the region tournament are the Thomas County Central High School Yellow Jackets and the Northside-Columbus High School Patriots.

The tournament, hosted by the Bearcats, began Friday and will conclude today. All four teams will advance to the first round of the Class AAAAA playoffs, with the top two teams hosting and the third and fourth place teams playing on the road.

Dontavius Marshall and Justin Baker combined for 38 points to lead the Bearcats over the Tigers on Wednesday. Marshall led the way with 21, and Baker scored 17.

Also in double figures were Jamez Harris with 15 points and Tyree Crump with 11.

Crump hit a three-point jumper with 4:21 left in the second quarter put the Bearcats up by six, 24-18. They were out front 35-29 at halftime.

After the game, Bainbridge coach Rickey McCullough said he thought his team was strong in all phases of the game.

“We passed well rebounded well and did an excellent job blocking out on rebounds,” he said. “Our rebounding and shot selection was also a key to our victory.”