The Early County High School Bobcats edged the Bainbridge High School Bearcats, 61-59, in a pre-season scrimmage game Tuesday at the BHS gymnasium.

“We had several chances to tie the game near the end but the shots just didn’t fall,” Bainbridge coach Rickey McCullough said after the game. “I thought we played pretty well overall.”

Guard Dontavius Marshall and center Trea Kelly shared scoring honors for the Bearcats with 14 points apiece. Kelly also pulled down nine rebounds.

Forward Paul Chukes was also in double figures with 11. He had six assists as well.

Also contributing to the Bearcats’ scoring effort Tuesday night were forward Rodney Glenn with nine points and 10 rebounds, guard Greg Lee with six points, Mike Jones with three points, and guard Dontavius Marshall and Dillen Thomas with two points apiece.

The Bearcats jumped out to a 17-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Bobcats outscored them 18-11 in the second quarter to pull within one, 28-27, at halftime.

In the third quarter the Bobcats edged the Bearcats 20-16 to take a 47-44 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Bearcats will open their regular season Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26, in the Leon High School Invitational Tournament in Tallahassee, Fla.

Bainbridge’s first regular-season home game will be Thursday, Nov. 29, against the Pelham High School Hornets.