The Groves High Rebels were no match for the visiting Bradwell Tiger basketball teams as the Lady Rebels fell 63-39 and the Rebels dropped the boys’ match 59-47 Friday in Savannah.
Lady Tiger Alize Roberts had a career- and game-high 21 points in the Region 3-AAAAA contest. Lady Tiger coach Faye Baker credits Roberts’ performance on the patience of sophomore guard Journae’ Young.
“Young took her time and played well, looking for Roberts on the inside,” Baker said. “And Roberts’ inside presence was a big factor because Groves didn’t have any big forwards to contend with her.”
That allowed Roberts to play the boards, rebounding and scoring on put backs, the coach added.
By halftime the Tiger girls had a 24-17 lead.
The girls jumped on a charter bus Saturday afternoon to play in Gainesville at P.K. Yonge High. It’s a yearly trip that Baker said let her bond with her team on the bus and later challenges her players on the hardwood.
Baker said, last year, the game in Gainesville provided a turnaround point for her team.
“Even though we lost (50-46) it was a good game and it gave us a boost in our confidence level and we did well in our region games after that,” Baker said. “I get to ride in the bus with them. We get time to bond and overall it is a good time for the girls.”
Besides Roberts 21 points, Selena Manies and JaVaughna Claridy had 12 each, Kieria Martin added three, Myala Wells and Shania Eldrige scored 2 each and Jakarai Fleming scored one.
The Bradwell boys followed suit, downing the Rebels, 59-47, to improve to 9-6 overall and 5-1 in the region.