LEXINGTON – Blythewood boys opened the Chick-Fil-A Classic’s Carolina’s Challenge at River Bluff High School on Dec. 27 against Charlotte Christian.
Off to a slow start, the Bengals trailed the Knights 7-18 after a quarter of play. Blythewood returned to take the second quarter 18-12, but still trailed 25-30 at the half.
The Bengals closed the lead in the third quarter, but still trailed 42-44. Charlotte Christian held on in the fourth to take a 66-62 win.
Isaiah Williams led the Bengals with 23 points, 12 rebounds, a block and a steal. Samaad Wright put up 15 points in the loss. Wright also added six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Blythewood returned to the tournament on Tuesday to face Olympic High School.
Knotted up at 15 after a quarter of play, the Bengals pushed past Olympic to take a 33-30 lead at halftime.
Olympic battled back in the second half, outscoring them 22-20 in the third and 19-15 in the fourth to take a tight 71-68 final.
Williams pulled another double-double in the game with 29 points and 11 rebounds. He added three assists, a block and two steals.
Wright tallied 13 points, 3 rebounds and two assists. Josiah Pack had 12 points, 9 rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal.
The losses drop Blythewood to 5-8 on the season.
They are slated to return to regular season action on Jan. 4 at home against White Knoll and will face Memphis East and Harrison Central in the All Heart Grit & Grind tournament on Jan. 7 and 8.
Blythewood will open region play at Northwestern on Jan. 14.