Bradwell ushered in the 2009-10 basketball season with victories against neighboring Long County. The girls won 70-26 and the boys won 74-54.

Lady Tiger coach Faye Baker said the key for the girls’ victory was their defensive pressure. "We were able to create quite a few steals and convert them into baskets," she said.

The coach said the teams are preparing for the Joe Greene Tip-Off next week. The Tigers are scheduled to play Groves on Tuesday and Liberty County on Wednesday.

Though they play Groves, the game does not count toward the region record and Baker said it gives them an opportunity to size up a region team without jeopardizing a region standing.

"It’s really good practice for us before we get into region play," she said. "And we need to play because the more we play, hopefully, the better we will get. Right now, we’ve played a scrimmage and a game so we are still trying to work out some kinks even though we won."

The Tigers face Groves Tuesday with the girls taking the court at 4 p.m. The boys’ game will follow. On Wednesday, they tip off against Liberty with the girls at 4 p.m. and the boys game at 7 p.m.