The Bainbridge High School Bearcats basketball team dropped a 58-47 decision to the Colquitt County High School Packers Tuesday in Moultrie.

It was the first loss of the season for the Bearcats, who were 3-1 going into Friday’s Region 1-AAAA home game against the Westover High School Patriots. The Bearcats defeated the Packers 64-42 in their Dec. 2 season opener here.

Bearcats coach Rickey McCullough said while his tea m played hard Tuesday night they were up against a really fired up Colquitt County team.

“One of Colquitt County’s players passed away in the offseason and they had a moving service in his memory before the game,” McCullough said. “They really played a great game and they deserve a lot of credit.”

Tyree Crump led the Bearcats Tuesday night with 24 points. Devontae Jones was also in double figures with 10. Derrick Jones scored five, Myles Thomas scored four, Malik Middleton scored three and Trevon Shaw scored one. Shakeer Ponder was high for the Packers with 18 points.

“What we have to do now is put the Colquitt County loss behind us and get ready for three big upcoming games,” McCullough said. “After Friday’s home game with Westover, we will play the Worth County High School Rams Saturday in Sylvester and host the Thomas County Central High School Yellow Jackets Tuesday.”

After a Friday, Dec. 19, home game against the Cairo High School Syrupmakers and a Saturday, Dec. 20, road game against Thomasville High School Bulldogs, the Bearcats will return to Thomasville to compete in Thomasville High School’s Dec. 26 through Dec. 29 Holiday Hoopfest. They will open Hoopfest play Friday, Dec. 26, against Berrien County at 2:30 p.m.