The Bradwell Institute girls’ basketball team went 1-1 in its last two games. The Lady Tigers lost at Effingham County 55-39 in a Region 3-AAAAA matchup. The girls then beat McIntosh County Academy 54-38 Saturday at home in a non-region contest.
On Friday night, the Lady Rebels closed out the game against Bradwell on an 18-8 run. Lady Rebel Sam Johnson’s 3-pointer sparked a 14-1 run that erased a 27-22 Bradwell lead in the third quarter.
Lady Tiger coach Faye Baker said her team suddenly “went cold in the second half.”
Effingham’s Makayla Robinson led the way with 13 points, while Alayja Connelly and Te’Shauna Johnson each added 11 points.
Sha’Quira Johnson and Sam Johnson had eight points each, and Jaylen Wallace and Ariana Bartley had two points each.
Robinson also recorded 11 rebounds and six steals, while Sha’Quira Johnson collected 10 rebounds.
Brianna Johnson had a team-high 12 points for the Lady Tigers in the loss.
Saturday’s home win was sparked by a quick and intense start from the Lady Tigers after Baker’s shook up the starting lineup.
“I started three freshmen on Saturday, and they set the tone of the game with their intensity,” she said, noting that the entire team showed better execution throughout the contest.
The win was also sparked by junior Alyssa McDuffie, who dropped in three 3-pointers and led in scoring with 17 points. That gave the Lady Tigers a 28-18 lead at the half.
MCA’s Candice Height kept the Lady Buccaneers within reach, draining three trifectas as well and finishing the game with 22 points.
But the halftime lead and the five-point advantage the Lady Tigers kept throughout the second half kept them ahead for the 54-38 win.
The Lady Tigers are 9-11 overall and 2-8 in region play.
Boys
Friday night at Effingham County, the Tiger boys took a region loss, falling 54-37.
Rebel DeShaun Wilkenson’s third 3-pointer of the third quarter pushed the Rebels’ lead to 35-19 midway through the period.
But Tiger De’Shawn Coleman’s layup brought Bradwell within 37-31.
The Rebels responded with an 8-2 run, all of it from the free throw line, and ended the game on a 16-6 spurt.
Effingham was 12 of 16 from the line in the fourth quarter.
Darryll Johnson led Bradwell with 16 points. Wilkenson had a game-high 21 points, hitting four 3-pointers.
The Tiger stats and final score from Saturday’s game against MCA were requested, but they were not available by press time Tuesday evening.
Bradwell is 5-14 overall and 1-9 in region play.
The Tiger squads were scheduled to host South Effingham Tuesday and will play at Richmond Hill beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Courier sports editor Patty Leon and Patrick Donahue of the Effingham Herald contributed to this report.