With football behind them, the Bradwell Tigers trekked to Reidsville Tuesday for a basketball scrimmage against the Battle Creek Warriors, heralding in the 2009-10 basketball season.
The Lady Tigers came out on top while the boys lost a close one by 2.
Lady Tigers 81, Tattnall 53
Lady Tiger coach Faye Baker said her team leaders did what was expected of them.
"Seandre Lee played an excellent game," she said. "She played like a senior forward because she was real strong on the post and I was also impressed with her defense."
The coach said Lee had quite a few steals in the game.
"Mariah Maternik played an excellent game and so did Camille Jackson," Baker said. "All three of them hit double figures and those are the three who we look to carry the team, along with Quintunya Chapman, this year."
Analyzing the newer players Baker said everyone had valuable minutes on the floor and she was pleased with the team’s progress. She said transfer Leitia Leitaua showed aggressiveness on the court.
"The only thing with her is learning our system," Baker said. "She has that fire and she brings that energy to the court that we are looking for. I was also impressed with Latisha Frasier."
The coach said Frasier had 2 steals that she took for layups.
"So not only did she get the steals, but she finished on the other end," she said.
Baker said one area that needs work is on the team’s man defense.
"We allowed their primary ball handler to penetrate and get to the basket too easily," she said.
Tigers 54, Tattnall 56
According to Tiger head coach Pete Woodard the boys had a 14 point lead going into the half.
"But, you know, that old devil crept in, complacency," he said. "Our kids have a tendency to believe that once we get a lead we got the game won.
"We committed too many turnovers in the second half. We didn’t execute our offense like we did in the first half and furthermore we had some defensive lapses in the second half that allowed too many uncontested three-point baskets."
He said he thought the lapses lost the game.
"They didn’t kill us underneath. Inside, I really need to give credit to the post players they did a good job defensively."
The coach said he was happy with Tykeem Browns’ performance, saying he did what the coaches and players expected of him. Woodard said Brown led the Tigers in scoring, getting 19 points. The coach also credited the play of Marcus Redding, saying he did a good job on the boards.
Woodard said the key to getting the team in top form is to have his players understand the importance of staying intense for all four quarters.
Tonight the Tigers host Long County and Woodard knows it will be a challenge.
"They have a history of winning," he said. "We have to keep the ball out of Justin Boyd’s hands. That’s the game plan and the best way to do that is to probably put a trap on him. Every time he gets the ball we definitely need to put two men on him and make him give it up."
Tip-off tonight starts at 6 with the girls’ varsity taking the court. The boys game will follow.