One might not guess it by the final score, but Billingsley’s boys basketball team gave the third-ranked Class 2A team a run for its money on Tuesday before losing 86-42.

Billingsley tied the game at 10 early in the first period and could never do so again, but visiting R.C. Hatch had troubled putting away the Bears.

The score in the fast, physical game was 19-16 after one period and 36-29 at halftime.

Hatch pulled away when BHS began committing turnovers in the open floor and taking ill-advised shots after breaking Hatch’s full-court pressure defense.

Carlos Caver led all scorers with 20 points.

Both Takwia Askew and Bakari Jackson had 18 for the visitors. Fourteen of Jackson’s points came in the third period.

Billingsley’s girls lost, 75-30, but had reason for optimism because of the return of point guard Lori Davis from an injury.

But coach Shunn Bailey said Davis and two players are still not 100 percent healthy.

“I want us to continue to get better each game—and maybe make a run in the area tournament and the playoffs,” Bailey said.

Davis played despite only practicing for one day, Monday, since her injury, and she played with a brace on her hand—but led Billingsley with 14 points.

Kristy Lipscomb scored 21 points for R.C. Hatch.