Unfortunately for them, that wasn&squo;t the only big hill they had to climb en route to a 56-48 loss.

The Bearcats (9-4, 3-2 WHC) opened a big lead behind a strong first quarter (22-10), and increased that to a 14-point advantage at the half.

The Bearcat attack was slowed in the second half when Polk coach Craig Culbreth switched to a zone defense, but the Wolverine offense slowed itself by turning the ball over 30 times on the night.

Kamron Kerr and Trenton Carson finished with 18 and 14 points, respectively, for Polk (3-11, 1-4 WHC). Andre Overholt added nine.

&dquo;We just can&squo;t put four quarters together,&dquo; Culbreth said.

Girls Basketball

Polk 79, Hendersonville 64

The formula for success for the Lady Wolverines has been subbing in fresh bodies to play full-court pressure defense, and it worked again Tuesday. Behind Denise Edwards 22 points, the Polk women outlasted the Lady Bearcats to move their record to 10-4, and 4-2 in conference play.

Kiki Miller contributed 17 points and 14 rebounds, and every player on the team scored.