Jacob McCarthy (right) was on fire against the Crockett Bulldogs Friday. He led the Bears with 32 points in a 55-44 win. Loyd Cook The Brownsboro Bears played defense in the middle two quarters, enclosed by a first and fourth quarter with lots of offense, on their way to a 55-44 win over the Crockett Bulldogs Friday.

Brownsboro (18-10, 5-3) scored 21 points in the opening period, thanks to the duo of Ryan Smith and Jacob McCarthy.

Smith (21 points for the game) had 12 points in the quarter, while McCarthy (32 points) recorded the other nine in the period. Each had back-to-back 3-pointers and McCarthy added a third trifecta with 32 seconds left in the first. Smith capped the period’s scoring with a drive into the lane and a one-handed floater that went in at the buzzer.

The opening period was basically the difference in the game as Brownsboro scored a total of 34 points for the rest of the game, while Crockett had 35 points.

Zack Bailey (10) rises above the crowd to take a shot during the Bears’ 11-point win over the Crockett Bulldogs Friday. Loyd Cook Photo McCarthy got it started for the Bears, opening the game with two, 3-pointers.

Then Smith rolled out the next 10 Brownsboro points. He drove the right side of the lane for a two-point bucket, then hit his two, consecutive 3-pointers of the period, and closed the run with a short bank shot and a 16-9 lead for the Bears.

McCarthy hit his third 3-pointer and Smith capped the scoring with his buzzerbeater.

Nick Jones scored two points, the only other Bear to hit the scoreboard in the game.

Crockett 43, JV 41

The tail end of the third quarter may have been the turning point for the junior varsity Bears.

With Brownsboro up 29- 28, Crockett rattled off six points during the last 1:04 of the third period and took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter.

The Bears fought back, but could cut the lead by only three points, falling to Crockett, 43-41.

Scott Spearman led the Bears with 10 points and Corben Duke had seven. Kris Bryant scored six points in the game.

D.Z. Moss and Willie Miller had four points each. Deandre Taylor, Brett Conner, Cody Strickland, Michael O’Conner, and Chris Stringer scored two points apiece.

Freshman

Feb. 5

9th 51, Crockett 43

An 18-6 third quarter brought the freshman Bears back from three down at halftime and propelled Brownsboro to an eight-point win over the Crockett Bulldogs.

The Bears had been down 23-20 at the half, before surging to a 38-29 lead after three periods.

Jacob Ludford led the way with 11 points, while Travis Daniels and Patrick McCarthy had eight points each.

Ryan Chapman had five points. Blake Ralson and Demettius Moore had four points apiece. Cody Collier and Brody Chambers each had two points.

Freshman

Jan. 29 9th 36, Fairfield 23 The Bears used a 20-7 first half to hold on for a 36-23 win over the Fairfield Eagles.

Brownsboro sprang out to a 13-1 lead after one period of play. In the second half, each team scored 16 points.

Jacob Ludford and Ryan Chapman each had 10 points to lead the Bears, while Blake Ralson added seven.

Taylor Beall had four points. Kevin Elder and Patrick McCarthy each had two points and Demetrius Moore added one point.

Freshman

Jan. 26

Westwood 39, 9th 38

The Bears couldn’t overcome an ice-cold third quarter that saw them score only five points to 12 for the Westwood Panthers in a one-point loss.

That quarter saw Brownsboro lose a five-point halftime lead.

Taylor Beall and Jacob Ludford each had eight points to lead the Bears. Devonte Givens and Patrick McCarthy had six points apiece.

Blake Ralson had four points. Travis Daniels, Cody Collier and Ryan Chapman had two points each.

Freshman

Jan. 22

9th 40, Athens 29

Leading 23-22 in a tight game after three quarters, the Brownsboro Bears freshman team exploded for 17 points in the final quarter and a 40- 29 win over the Westwood Panthers.

It had been a close game throughout, with the Bears leading by 10-8 after one and 19-12 at the half, as well as the one-point lead after three periods.

Tayloor Beall led the Bears scoring with 11 points and Jacob Ludford had nine points.

Patrick McCarthy had seven points and Blake Ralson had five. Kevin Elder, Travis Daniels and Demetrius Moore had two points each while Ryan Chapman added one point.