Coach Rickey McCullough’s Bainbridge High School Bearcats split two close games Wednesday and Thursday in the Capital City Holiday Classic in Tallahassee, Fla.

The games were played at the Tallahassee Community College Gymnasium.

On Wednesday, the Bearcats dropped a 59-55 decision to Tallahassee’s Leon High School Lions. On Thursday, they edged the East Gadsden High School Jaguars of Havana, Fla., 58-55.

Dontavious Marshall led the Bearcats Wednesday against Leon with 14 points, Paul Chukes added 12 and Rodney Glenn and Trea Kelly scored eight apiece.

In their Thursday victory over East Gadsden, the Bearcats were led by Trea Kelly with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Paul Chukes had 15 points and eight rebounds. Rodney Glenn had 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

McCullough said he thought his team played good defense in both Classic games.

“We cut the lead to 10 points late against Leon, then went to the press and caused some turnovers.” he said. “We had a chance to win but we missed some late layups. Leon is good team but I really didn’t think we came ready to play.”

McCullough said he was proud of the fight his team showed Thursday against East Gadsden.

“The game with East Gadsden was a hard-fought one,” he said. “We were down by eight points at halftime and really did a good job of turning it around in the second half.

“We are really getting better and tougher each time we play. We are much better than our 6-4 record indicates. We lost two games in overtime and another game by two points.”

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