Brookland-Cayce defeated crosstown rival Airport, 51- 38, in high school basketball, Thursday on BC's home court.

Scoring in the game was back and forth, with several lead changes, until BC ran away with it in the fourth quarter.

"I'm proud of the guys, said BC head coach Robert Wells. But he said his team's focus has to get better. He also said he implemented some new defensive strategies that worked well against the Eagles.

The Bearcats have not lost to Airport in their new basketball arena.

Both teams struggled in different areas early. Airport turned the ball over 16 times in the first half and 24 times in the game. Brookland-Cayce hit only 2 of 12 free throws in the first half. BC was 5-for-21 from the line for the game. 

At the end of the first quarter, the game was tied at 8.
The Bearcats were up 21-17 by halftime on the strength of 11 first-half points from Christian Ferguson, who hit a 3 just before the half.  Airport's Jeremiah Harris had 7 points in the first half.

BC standout Aubrey Richardson, who picked up 2 fouls early, was relegated to the bench for much of the first half. Richardson returned to the game in the third quarter and hit a couple of baskets. Cedric Shelby and Devonte Strader each connected on 3-pointers for the Bearcats just before the end of the third quarter. Brookland-Cayce was up 36-27 at the end of three.

In the fourth quarter the Bearcats broke away. Ferguson scored 12 more points in the second half to finish with 23 on the night. He also had 13 rebounds.
Harris led Airport with 12 points. 

Airport falls to 1-5 with the loss. BC is now 2-0.