Polk County rallied from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter but came up just short, falling 80-79 to Mountain Heritage in a Western Highlands Conference game in Burnsville.
In girls action, Mountain Heritage scored the final nine points of the game to eke out a 48-37 win.
The Polk boys (4-10, 0-6) held a 40-38 lead at the half before the Cougars (7-8, 5-2) took a seven-point lead, 60-53, into the fourth quarter. Polk cut the deficit at one point to 62-61, but Mountain Heritage answered with a 10-0 run to take control of the game. The Wolverines fought back within four, then hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.
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Anthony Carson scored 25 points to lead Polk County, which also got leading scorer Jamal Tanner back from a hand injury, with Tanner scoring 22. Jaron Bontrager added 15.
Avery Austin poured in 40 points to lead Mountain Heritage.
In the girls game, the Cougars (14-2, 7-0) outscored Polk County 15-2 in the final period to earn the victory. Polk County (2-4, 8-6) led at the end of the first and third quarters.
Hayley Kropp scored 20 points to lead the Wolverines.
BOYS
Polk County Scoring
Anthony Carson 25, Jamal Tanner 22, Jaron Bontrager 15, Jaylin Hines 7, Jordan Smith 4, Wes Mullis 4, Wes Brady 2
GIRLS
Polk County Scoring
Hayley Kropp 20, Sarah Phipps 8, Ashley Love 5, Janada Carson 2, Savannah Ross 2
