The Bradwell Institute basketball teams were playing in the Savannah Holiday basketball tournament Saturday and Monday. Liberty County hosted McIntosh County Academy’s teams Saturday.
At the Holiday Classic, the Bradwell Lady Tigers defeated Randolph-Clay 43-38. Then, on Monday, the Lady Tigers defeated Richmond Hill 49-42 in a game considered a non-region matchup.
Lady Tiger coach Faye Baker said her team had never played Randolph-Clay, but her players knew their foes were known for having a quality basketball program.
She said the Lady Red Devils are primarily young this season with the exception of one player, who Baker said is already committed to play for Clemson next year.
“She is a 6-foot-2 kid and a really good player,” Baker said. “We focused on her and we doubled down on her a lot. And that was the key for that game.”
Against Richmond Hill, the coach said the Lady Tigers were down by four at the half.
“But in the third quarter we stepped up our defensive intensity, played a little full-court, man defense and were able to get some easy transition baskets that sort of got us going,” the coach said. “Jasmine Blevins was key in that third quarter, she had nine points. She is just a freshman, but that helped to turn things around in that game.”
Baker said the stepped-up defense and intensity opened offensive opportunities. She added the girls also hit key free throws late in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Blevins made the All-Tournament Team.
Baker said she has been impressed with the play of her underclassmen throughout the season.
“We are relying on those younger kids to come in and play some big minutes for us,” she said. “Like I‘ve often said the more time and the more experience they get on the floor will be key for us.
The coach said the experience they get now will be instrumental in post season play.
“I am happy they are getting the experience and really being effective on the floor,” she said.
The Bradwell girls are 7-6 overall and 1-3 in Region 3-AAAAA.
The Tigers fell to Ware County 60-38 Saturday. The Tigers were scheduled to play again on Monday against Johnson, but a scheduling conflict cancelled the game.
The Tigers are 4-7 overall and 1-3 in region action.
Liberty County
Liberty County split victories at home Saturday. The Panthers topped the Buccaneers 82-44. The Lady Panthers fell to MCA 54-45.
Girls’ game stats were not available. The Lady Panther are 2-4 overall.
In the boys’ matchup, Panther Richard LeCounte topped the scoring with 23 points. He also sank three of six treys. Davion Mitchell drained in 16 points. Will Richardson and Comer Kite scored 10 points each.
The Liberty boys are 5-1 overall.
The Panthers will play in the Statesboro Gentlemen’s Classic Dec. 26-29. On Saturday they play Johnson at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, they play Southeast Bulloch at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, they play Bryan County at 6:30 p.m.