THOMASVILLE — The Thomasville High School Bulldogs took to the court in Bainbridge on Wednesday night to open their basketball season. Both the boys and girls dropped their season opener to the Bearcats, leaving them at 0-1 to start the year.

The girls got things started and played well in the opening minutes of the game. Thomasville only allowed six point in the opening frame, while Ja’Kayla Garland and JaLeah Brown both knocked down a three to give Thomasville a 9-6 lead after one.

But, Bainbridge came out swinging in the second quarter, this time holding Thomasville to just six points. Bainbridge knocked down a pair of threes and sank all four free throws they attempted in the quarter on their way to securing 15 points in the frame. Heading into halftime, Bainbridge led 21-15.

In the third quarter, fouls plagued the Bulldogs as the Bearcats knocked down seven free throws. Bainbridge’s DaNydia Campbell was a force in the quarter for Bainbridge, sinking three free throws and draining one from beyond the arc to give her six points in the quarter.

The Bearcats continue to score on the Bulldogs, outscoring them in three out of the four quarters. In the final frame, Campbell had four more points as Bainbridge claimed victory, 50-35.

The boys didn’t fair much better against the Bearcats, though the game was a bit closer. Thomasville opened the game up with a pair of threes and Xavier Burkes led the way with five points in the quarter. However, Bainbrdige would take the lead after scoring seven unanswered points to make it 14-9 Bearcats. Monte Colvin hit a two to stop the bleeding and as the buzzer sounded on the first fame, Bainbridge led 15-11.

The second quarter was a tough one for Thomasville. They score 12 in the quarter as Colvin knocked down a three while Burkes and Jordan Mitchell sank their free throws. But, the Bulldogs defense suffered as they allow Bainbridge 22 points to end the half, leading to a 14 point halftime deficit for the Bulldogs.

An 8-0 run by Bainbridge in the third quarter would spell trouble for Thomasville, but then Antonie Garland took over and breathed life back into his team. Despite being down 47-25, Garland fired away, knocking down a pair of threes to end the third quarter and opening up the fourth with another. In just a few minutes, Garland had almost single handedly brought Thomasville within seven points of the Bearcats lead.

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be enough. Despite another three from Garland, the Bearcats scored ten unanswered and Bainbridge took the win, 59-45.

The boys next games is scheduled for December 2 when they will take on cross town rival Thomas County Central at home. The girls will play an away game next on November 25 against Lincoln before taking on Central on December 2 as well.