Loyd Cook Photo Bears guard Ryan Smith (21) drives with the ball during a recent game. Brownsboro remained in the playoff hunt this week, needing a win over Fairfield Tuesday night that would likely necessitate a game against Athens to determine which team gets the last 20-3A playoff spot. The Brownsboro Bears kept their playoff hopes alive, knocking off the Westwood Panthers, 66-28 Friday, in the only home game played after all others were cancelled due to snow.

The Bears maintained their third place tie with the Athens Hornets, with the win.

Athens was set to play Westwood Tuesday, while Brownsboro was set for a road game with district champ Fairfield the same night.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to production deadlines, and the distance to the Tuesday game, coverage of Brownsboro’s game against Fairfi eld will appear in the Feb. 25 issue of The Statesman.

It was a strong defensive first half that was the building block of the Bears win.

As Brownsboro scored 33 points during the first two periods, they held the Wildcats to only nine points, just two of which came in the second period as the Bears scored 20.

The Bears kept the ball rolling in the second half, putting 33 points on the board while holding the Panthers to 19.

Jacob McCarthy led the way with 20 points and Ryan Smith had 13. Zack Bailey put in 10 points of his own.

Nick Jones had eight points, Keuntis Thompson scored six points, and Charfus Mayfield and Kyle Yarbrough had three points apiece. Cameron Warren scored two and Ryan Owens had one point.

If Athens and Brownsboro match losses or victories Tuesday, a game between the two will determine which squad will get the last District 20-3A playoff spot.