WEST POINT — Randy Jones saw improvement out of his Warriors for the second straight game Tuesday night against Corner.

Unlike Monday’s West Point Christmas Tournament opener, however, it didn’t quite translate into a win.

Kolton Sapp delivered 15 points, and Cameron Moore came off the bench for 11 as the Warriors were narrowly sent to the consolation bracket with a 55-51 loss to Sam Knowlton and the Yellow Jackets.

Knowlton, a 6-7 center, led all scorers with 18 points, including eight in the fourth quarter.

“We had chances,” Jones said. “I can’t fault our kids for effort. The way we battled against their size, I’m proud of our kids for that. We played hard. Corner’s got a great team.”

West Point (4-11) clung to a 41-40 advantage after three quarters in a tight contest that saw 14 lead changes before Corner went up for good. Moore twice connected from downtown to pull the Warriors within a single score late in the fourth quarter, but an inside shot by Knowlton and three perfect trips to the free-throw line allowed Corner to keep the hosts at bay.

The game appeared to be over after a Sapp putback at the buzzer. The officials conferred, though, and retroactively awarded Jones the timeout he’d been trying to call.

The clock was reset to 1.3 seconds, but it ultimately didn’t matter. Skylar Lara was fouled and hit both attempts from the charity stripe, sealing the final score. Lara finished with nine points for the Yellow Jackets, who’ll play Brewer for the tourney title Thursday at 7:45 p.m.

For West Point, which will face Priceville for third place Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Brandon Farley and Toby Cunningham contributed seven and six points, respectively.

% Curry 49, Cold Springs 36: Jesse Lee calmly sank a 3-pointer to give the Eagles a 22-21 lead right out of the halftime break.

As for the rest of the quarter? It was all Yellow Jackets, who closed the frame on a 17-0 outburst and coasted to the victory.

Peyton Key punctuated the decisive run with back-to-back treys and ended the evening with a team-high 10 points.

“You have to see him,” said Cold Springs coach Tim Willoughby of Key. “We were watching the ball, and if you’re watching the ball, that means you’re surprised when the shooter catches it. That’s what happened. Our weak-side defense, have to have toes to man and see your man, and we didn’t. We didn’t see him until it’d be too late.”

Blake Wood was 10 of 13 at the free-throw line and topped the Eagles (6-8) with 16 points. Lee was next in line with 12.

Caleb Aaron added nine points for Curry, which plays Danville Thursday at 5:15 p.m. Reed Bailey and Caleb Woodard both had eight.

Cold Springs, which dropped to 0-7 in games played on non-school days, will open Thursday’s tourney slate at 4 p.m. against Class 1A No. 4 Decatur Heritage.

% Holly Pond 68, Seymour (Tenn.) 43: The Broncos opened play at the King of the Smokies Tournament in Pigeon Forge with a resounding victory against an out-of-state opponent.

The Green and White, which improved to 16-0, were led in scoring by Griffin Morris with 19 points. Drew Jones added 15.

The 3A No. 2 Broncos will take on Meigs (Ohio) Wednesday at 4 p.m.

% Archbishop Alter 72, Cullman 42: The Bearcats led after the first quarter but quickly hit a scoring drought and dropped a double-digit affair at the King of the Smokies Tournament.

Cullman (6-11) was led by Dylan Finch (14 points) and Trey Tucker (eight).

The Black and Gold will look to bounce back Wednesday with a 2 p.m. contest versus Rockmart (Ga.)

% Fairview 56, Cherokee County 45: The Aggies opened the Albertville Christmas Classic with a strong win over the Warriors.

Fairview (8-8) was paced by Cameron Guthrie (15 points), Bryson Fletcher (14) and Grant Howard (11).

The Purple and Gold will play 4A No. 1 Cordova Wednesday at 3 p.m.

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Varsity Girls

% Cannon County 60, Cullman 59: The Lady Bearcats lost a tough one at the Queen of the Smokies Tournament to fall to 7-8.

Cullman, which missed 15 free throws, had a 30-footer rim out at the buzzer.

Sierra Easterwood (13 points) and Anna Evans (11) collected double digits for the Lady Bearcats.

The Black and Gold will play Albertville or Sevier County (Tenn.) Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

% Cleveland 63, Good Hope 52: Kate Kent scored 20 points, but the Lady Raiders couldn’t take home the victory during the Hayden Christmas Classic.

Leyton Seal (nine), Erika Woodall (eight) and Sadie Abbott (eight) pitched in for Good Hope, which fell to 5-10.

% Huntsville 51, Holly Pond 32: The Lady Broncos fell to 5-12 following a loss to the 7A Lady Panthers during Day 1 of the Decatur Orthopaedic Clinic Classic.

Holly Pond received scoring contributions from Taylor Tankersley (eight), Ruth Horton (seven), Liz Miller (six) and Molly Gambrill (five).

The Green and White will take on either Decatur or Talledega County Wednesday at 2 p.m.