Bradwell Institute recently earned back-to-back Region 3B-AAAAA victories on the basketball court, giving the girls a much needed boost and helping the boys improve their record.
Last Friday, the Tigers traveled to Glynn Academy where the boys’ team eked out a 54-50 win, and the Lady Tigers also won, 51-44. On Saturday, the teams traveled to Statesboro for a nonconference game and both squads fell. The boys lost, 54-45, and the girls fell, 39-21.
But Tuesday, the teams were set for another region fight in Waycross against Ware County. The Tigers came out blazing en route to a 61-41 win, and the Lady Tigers pulled out a win at the buzzer, 43-42.
Now the boys have their eyes set on region game No. 3 tonight when they host Windsor Forest. Tiger basketball coach Rhett Hellgren expects a big challenge from the Knights.
“I’ve been told, earlier in the season, that Windsor has a top-notch program,” he said. “The coaching staff keeps reminding the players that we need to play one game at a time, put any past game behind them and look forward to the one coming up.”
Hellgren said success allows for the possibility of overlooking an opponent, but he plans to maintain discipline, keep the boys working hard and paying attention to every detail of the game.
“I believe that our players are really starting to believe in the system we are trying to set in place,” he said. “We are by no means close to where I want us to be, but the first step is believing in the process.”
Hellgren said the intensity level at practice has been elevated and thinks that will give the boys a chance to play hard but enjoy tonight’s game.
“Practice is where all the hard work begins, and games are where you get to have fun,” he said.
The Bradwell boys are 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the region.
Lady Tiger coach Faye Baker said her team played better against Glynn, especially considering Shaquoia Crockett was out early due to an injury.
The BI girls are 2-6 overall, but 2-0 in the region, which Baker said “is what matters.”
The girls tip off against the Lady Knights at 6 tonight.
The Bradwell teams are at McIntosh Academy on Saturday. The girls’ game starts at 4 p.m., with the boys’ game to follow.
Liberty County
Meanwhile, the Liberty County High School boys’ basketball team is off to an nontraditional slow start. The Panthers are 1-7 after losing to Burke County, 50-45, on Saturday in Waynesboro.
The Lady Panthers also struggled against Burke County, losing 60-38 and dropping to 2-4 overall.
The Liberty teams play Saturday at Long County High School. The girls tip off at 6:30 p.m. and the boys’ game will follow.
Faith Baptist
In Ludowici, the Faith Baptist Christian Academy boys’ team holds an 9-3 record after a busy stretch.
The Crusaders topped Coastal Home School, 89-51, on Dec. 6 in Ludowici. Last weekend, the Crusaders went 2-2 at the Gatortown Hoops Classic in Waycross. On Friday, the boys beat Oldsmar Christian 98-69, and Southside Christian 74-35, but lost to Arlington Country Day, 98-80. On Saturday, FBCA fell to Rock, 61-57.
On Tuesday, the Crusaders beat Covenant Christian 83-73.
The boys travel tonight to Baxley for a match against Appling Christian set for 7:30 p.m.