Billingsley’s boys and girls basketball teams earned important area wins over Isabella.

The victories keep both sets of Bears in line for third place in their area, with just one area game remaining for each team.

The BHS boys won, 59-42, and the girls won, 57-47.

Billingsley’s girls team were up big at halftime, 37-13, but Isabella chipped away at the lead in the second half.

The visiting Mustangs trailed, 46-34, at the end of the third period, but cut the deficit to five points with 1:07 remaining in the game on a putback by Savannah Kissel.

The hosts answered with two free throws by Peyton Wallace with 58 seconds remaining, and IHS would never get as close.

Wallace led all scorers with 23 points, and Lori Davis scored 17 points.

Kissel had 13 points, and Savannah Higgins had 11 points.

The Bears boys were tied after one period but dominated the rest of the game for an easy win.

A.J. Tyus paced a balanced Billingsley scoring effort with 13 points. Teammate Garrett Price had 12 points.

Deonte Campbell had 12 points in a losing effort for Isabella.