BOGUE CHITTO – The Bogue Chitto Bobcats kicked off their basketball season with a 54-42 win over Jewel Sumner Thursday night in the Bobcat Palace.

In girls’ action, the Lady Cats fought a tough Jewel Sumner girls team and fell 58-44 in their home opener.

Bogue Chitto continues action Tuesday as it travels to Summit to take on the North Pike Jaguars. The junior varsity boys will tip off the action at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity girls action at 6 p.m. and the boys’ game at 7:30.

 Jewel Sumner 58, BC 44 

“This was a big first game for us,” said BC coach Christi Terrell. “We started the year off playing a solid team from Louisiana. We shot the ball well the first half and played with them. Offensive rebounding was very poor tonight along with an embarrassing free throw percentage. We are not where we want to be; more work has to be done to get us at top performance. Jewel Sumner has a great group of girls.”

The Lady Cats came out of the gates hitting a few baskets to get the game started, but Jewel Sumner fought back to tie the ballgame and later took the lead and never looked back.

Jewel Sumner outscored the Lady Cats 20-16 in the first quarter. The Lady Cats charged back with a 12-11 run in the second quarter and Jewel Sumner led 31-28 at halftime.

In third quarter, Jewel Sumner extended its lead by 11 points, but the Lady Cats managed to regain control in the fourth period just to fall short at the end.

Zariah Matthews was the top scorer for the Lady Cats with 13 points, four rebounds, five assists and five steals. Karlie Williams had 12 points and two rebounds. Terrah Nelson had six points and five assists. Christian Black had four points and two rebounds. Lineka Newson had three points and two rebounds. Ta’Neshia May had two points and three rebounds.

The top scorers for Jewel Sumner were Diamond Brooks and Bre’Ashlee Jones both with 18 points. Kiara Williams contributed with 16 points. Baylie Bridges had four points for Jewel Sumner.

BC 54, Jewel Sumner 42 

The Bobcats picked up a big win over the Cowboys of Jewel Sumner. Both teams were short of players due to football, but the Bobcats outgunned Jewel Sumner. BC jumped on the Cowboys early and often to take a commanding lead in the first half.

Jewel Sumner battled back in the third quarter to cut into BC’s big lead, but the Bobcats responded with a strong defensive hold to deny the Cowboys.

Tyler Brumfield hit a big three-point basket to put the exclamation mark.

Henry Thomas powered the Bobcats with 20 points and six rebounds. D.J. Nunnery contributed 14 points and five rebounds. Tyler Brumfield had a triple-double performance of 10 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. Dee May provided seven points with eight rebounds. Brandon McKenzie had two points and four rebounds. Kirby Reid had one point with three rebounds.