GARDEN CITY — Groves scored the game’s opening basket 91 seconds into the game and never relinquished the lead in the Lady Rebels’ 51-44 win over Bradwell Institute.
Mia Ready led the Lady Rebels (11-6, 5-2 Region 3-AAAAA) with 13 points and was one of eight Groves scorers.
Meanwhile, Ikamyia Richardson led the Lady Tigers (8-8, 3-6) with 15 points, including 7 in the fourth quarter.
By beating the Lady Tigers on the boards and dictating the game’s tempo, the Lady Rebels built a 12 point lead — 39-27 — with 2:34 remaining in the third quarter before the Lady Tigers cut it to four — 48-44 — with 47 seconds remaining in the game.
However, Groves’ low post play enabled them several second chance shots and forced Bradwell to foul.
Groves went to the free-throw line five times in the game’s final minute, sinking three of eight.
“They beat us on the boards. That was the main thing,” Bradwell coach Faye Baker said. “We allowed them too many second shot opportunities and that’s pretty much been our nemesis the last four to five games against competitive opponents. We don’t do a good enough job of blocking out and I think that was the key in the game.”
Bradwell’s best opportunity to take control of the game was in the second quarter. They entered the quarter trailing 19-12 and ended the half trailing 30-27. However, the Lady Tigers missed five of eight free throws, a few lay-ups and shots just rimmed out.
“When we have the opportunity to capitalize, we have to take advantage of it,” Baker said. “If we have an easy put back or an easy basket, we have to convert. We have to do that. It’s frustrating but we’re still going to work.”
Baker shuffled her rotation up during the contest, giving her reserves ample playing time.
“We’re trying to get some more energy. The reserves have done a good job all year and they deserve to play,” Baker said. “My mindset is I’m going to let them play a little more. They earned their right in a couple of games when we were missing some of our players. They have earned their right and that’s how I plan on doing it for the rest of the year. Usually, when I put them out there they do exactly what I ask them to do. I am really pleased with the play of the reserves.”
In addition to Richardson’s 15, other Bradwell scorers included Correnda Duvernay with 10, Seandre Lee with 8, Jammie McLemore with 6, Camille Jackson with 3 and Talise Johns with 2.
The Lady Tigers host Camden County at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The Lady Wildcats won the first game in Kingsland on Dec. 12, 56-47.
Mia Ready led the Lady Rebels (11-6, 5-2 Region 3-AAAAA) with 13 points and was one of eight Groves scorers.
Meanwhile, Ikamyia Richardson led the Lady Tigers (8-8, 3-6) with 15 points, including 7 in the fourth quarter.
By beating the Lady Tigers on the boards and dictating the game’s tempo, the Lady Rebels built a 12 point lead — 39-27 — with 2:34 remaining in the third quarter before the Lady Tigers cut it to four — 48-44 — with 47 seconds remaining in the game.
However, Groves’ low post play enabled them several second chance shots and forced Bradwell to foul.
Groves went to the free-throw line five times in the game’s final minute, sinking three of eight.
“They beat us on the boards. That was the main thing,” Bradwell coach Faye Baker said. “We allowed them too many second shot opportunities and that’s pretty much been our nemesis the last four to five games against competitive opponents. We don’t do a good enough job of blocking out and I think that was the key in the game.”
Bradwell’s best opportunity to take control of the game was in the second quarter. They entered the quarter trailing 19-12 and ended the half trailing 30-27. However, the Lady Tigers missed five of eight free throws, a few lay-ups and shots just rimmed out.
“When we have the opportunity to capitalize, we have to take advantage of it,” Baker said. “If we have an easy put back or an easy basket, we have to convert. We have to do that. It’s frustrating but we’re still going to work.”
Baker shuffled her rotation up during the contest, giving her reserves ample playing time.
“We’re trying to get some more energy. The reserves have done a good job all year and they deserve to play,” Baker said. “My mindset is I’m going to let them play a little more. They earned their right in a couple of games when we were missing some of our players. They have earned their right and that’s how I plan on doing it for the rest of the year. Usually, when I put them out there they do exactly what I ask them to do. I am really pleased with the play of the reserves.”
In addition to Richardson’s 15, other Bradwell scorers included Correnda Duvernay with 10, Seandre Lee with 8, Jammie McLemore with 6, Camille Jackson with 3 and Talise Johns with 2.
The Lady Tigers host Camden County at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The Lady Wildcats won the first game in Kingsland on Dec. 12, 56-47.