The Bainbridge High School Bearcats opened their Region 1AAAA schedule with a 60-45 Friday night road victory over the Thomas County Central High School Yellow Jackets.

The Bearcats’ attack was paced by Devon Baulkman with a game high 25 points.

“It’s always good to get that first Region 1AAAA game under your belt and do it on the road,” said Head Coach Rickey McCullough. “I thought we hustled and played hard.”

Also in double figures for the Bearcats were Paul Chukes with 16 and Rodney Glenn with 12.

Rounding out the Bearcats scoring column Friday night were Shawn Samuels with four, Rohan Gaines with two and Trea Kelly with one.

TCC center Ray Drew led his team with 12 points. Drew, who was also an All-Region 1AAAA and All-State defensive end for the Yellow Jackets football team, has committed to play football with the University of Georgia Bulldogs.

Trammell Anderson scored 11 for the Yellow Jackets. He was followed by Chris Calhoun with 10, Malcolm Franks with six, Edward James with four, and Eric McCraw with two.

The game was close early. The Bearcats led 17-8 after one quarter but the Yellow Jackets bounced back to pull even with under a minute remaining until halftime.

The Bearcats walked off with a 28-24 halftime lead.

One of the big differences in the game was at the free throw line. The Yellow Jackets missed 16 of 22 free throw attempts.