Lady Tigers 61, Lady Atomsmashers 37
Bradwell Institute weathered a cold shooting start to beat Johnson 61-37 on Friday night in Savannah.
It was almost like someone put a lid on the basket early on against the Lady Atomsmashers. The Lady Tigers scored first, then couldn’t buy a basket.
"Every team goes through a point where you get good looks at the basket and the ball just does not go in," Bradwell coach Faye Baker said.
But BI warmed up, putting more pressure on Johnson and forcing turnovers off the press throughout the game.
Bradwell went on two 6-0 runs against Johnson in the last part of the second quarter and led the game 29-17 at the half.
"I thought when we went in at the half we needed to come back and really go after them in the third quarter. The third quarter is really important for us, especially when you have a lead. If you come out and continue to go after a team you should win the game and get everyone some playing time," Baker said.
Mariah Maternik led all scorers with 24 points. Shaquioa Crockett finished with 17 points.
Bradwell moves to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Region 3-AAAAA. Next up for the Lady Tigers are the Camden County High School Lady Wildcats on Tuesday night.
"I haven’t seen them this year, but I know that they are well coached and always have athletic players. We will have to play our best ball and hopefully that will give us a chance to win," Baker said.
Bradwell 12 17 15 17-61
Johnson 9 8 9 11-37
Bradwell top scorers: Mariah Maternik 24, Shaquoia Crockett 17, KeAndra Frasier 7, Quintunya Chapman 6, Britany Terrell 3, Kandice Bolden 2, Tiffany Johnson 2, Quinikka Hatchell 1.
Atomsmashers 82, Tigers 79
Bradwell Institute dropped its fourth straight game on Friday night in Savannah, an 82-79 heartbreaker to Johnson.
"The song says that someone has to win and someone has to lose and tonight it was our turn to lose," Bradwell coach Pete Woodard said.
But the Tigers didn’t go quietly. Johnson started the game on 8-0 run, prompting a time out early from Woodward.
The time out was effective because the Tigers began to climb back into to the game and fought until the end.
"Tonight we played with intensity from the first to the fourth quarter. Even though we lost I am really proud of the way we played, we saw some really good things from the players that played tonight," Woodard said.
Johnson led 38-28 at halftime and held a 10-point lead most of the third quarter. But Bradwell point guard Jevante Richey scored six points on consecutive trips down the floor to cut Johnson’s lead to 56-53 near the end of the third quarter.Both teams traded baskets and played strong defense the rest of the way, keeping the game close. Johnson lead 79-75 in the final minute of the game before Bradwell’s Malcolm Dingle slashed through the lane to score and cut Johnson’s lead to two points.
But Bradwell was forced to foul to get the ball back and that allowed Johnson to stay ahead.
Despite the loss, Woodard was upbeat about his team’s performance.
"We really saw a different group out there tonight. This is definitely the best we have played this season and we lost to a very good, athletic Johnson team. We are starting to gel as team and the players are starting to trust each other and find more confidence," he said.
The Tigers had four players in double figures Friday night. Anthony Campbell had 22 points and eight rebounds. Tiger point guard Jevonte Richey scored 18 points along with seven assists and five steals. Malcolm Dingle finished with 15 points and eight assists. Jamael Smith chipped in 12 points.
"I told Jevonte that he did what he was asked and coached to do, distributing the basketball and running the offense, but I also told him he was as good of shooter as we have and he has to start taking what the defense gives him and use his jump shot or drive and he did that tonight," Woodard said.
Bradwell falls to 0-4 on the year and 0-2 in region play.
The Tigers play Camden County Tuesday night.
Johnson 24 14 18 26-82
Bradwell 17 11 23 26-79
Bradwell top scorers: Anthony Campbell 22, Javonte Richey 18, Malcolm Dingle 15, Jamael Smith 12, Miguel Pineda 6, Cameron Kight 2, Darius Mowbray 2