GARDEN CITY — It appeared that history would repeat itself Friday night, but Bradwell Institute boys basketball coach David Jones and his Tigers were determined not to fall prey to Groves again and withstood a second half rally to defeat the Runnin’ Rebels 60-45.
Unlike the game on Dec. 8, when Groves (6-8, 2-5 Region 3-AAAAA) stormed back from a 20-point deficit to win 62-59, the Rebels did not hit their jump shots or 3-pointers.
Meanwhile, Bradwell (10-8, 3-5) dominated the low post and connected on eight of 13 free throw attempts.
“Although we missed a few free throws there, we made some big free throws,” Jones said. “We played pretty good defense, had a good team effort and were just pleased to get out of there with a win, because they sure came back and scorched us last time. It was in the back of my mind all the time when they made that run. It really scared me. I think our kids woke up and tightened back up a notch.”
Groves pulled within five — 48-43 — with 2:46 remaining in the game when Bradwell started to pull away. In the next 90 seconds, Robert Sims and Deon Villasencio both made their two free throw attempts and Rashad Peters delivered a put-back off the fast break to ice the game.
“We asked them (Tigers) to settle down and not get into a running contest with them,” Jones said. “They’re a better wide open running team than we are and we don’t need to get drawn into that style of play. We need to stay in our style. We can run but we’re not as good up and down court as they are. Finally, we got it settled back down and the kids rebounded well down the stretch, which was good.”
The game, as expected with any team in the region, was physical.
“Anytime you play a Savannah team, it’s going to be physical,” Jones said. “Much like Savannah High and Beach, Groves is probably as physical as anybody in the league and they don’t back down from anybody. We’re just happy to get a win.”
Groves began to make their push in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 17-9. The Rebels hit two 3-pointers to start the quarter and went on a 12-3 run.
Bradwell set the game’s pace in the opening quarter, making all seven of their free throws and ending the quarter leading 19-10.
Midway through the quarter, they went on a 12-0 run, sparked by a 3-pointer apiece from Dana King and Justin Monroe.
After Groves started the second quarter with a 3-pointer, the Tigers reeled off a 10-point run. Bradwell took a 35-22 lead into halftime.
Sims led the Tigers in scoring with 23, including 8 in the second quarter.
Three more Tiger players scored double-digits, including Monroe with 14, Villasencio with 11, including 7 in the first quarter and Peters with 10.
King scored 7 points and Jarvis Wardsworth chipped in 6 points.
The Tigers now focus their attention on Camden County (14-2, 7-1), who has won eight consecutive games including victories over Beach and Johnson. The Wildcats come to Hinesville on Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. Bradwell lost to Camden County 87-58 on Dec. 12 in Kingsland.
Unlike the game on Dec. 8, when Groves (6-8, 2-5 Region 3-AAAAA) stormed back from a 20-point deficit to win 62-59, the Rebels did not hit their jump shots or 3-pointers.
Meanwhile, Bradwell (10-8, 3-5) dominated the low post and connected on eight of 13 free throw attempts.
“Although we missed a few free throws there, we made some big free throws,” Jones said. “We played pretty good defense, had a good team effort and were just pleased to get out of there with a win, because they sure came back and scorched us last time. It was in the back of my mind all the time when they made that run. It really scared me. I think our kids woke up and tightened back up a notch.”
Groves pulled within five — 48-43 — with 2:46 remaining in the game when Bradwell started to pull away. In the next 90 seconds, Robert Sims and Deon Villasencio both made their two free throw attempts and Rashad Peters delivered a put-back off the fast break to ice the game.
“We asked them (Tigers) to settle down and not get into a running contest with them,” Jones said. “They’re a better wide open running team than we are and we don’t need to get drawn into that style of play. We need to stay in our style. We can run but we’re not as good up and down court as they are. Finally, we got it settled back down and the kids rebounded well down the stretch, which was good.”
The game, as expected with any team in the region, was physical.
“Anytime you play a Savannah team, it’s going to be physical,” Jones said. “Much like Savannah High and Beach, Groves is probably as physical as anybody in the league and they don’t back down from anybody. We’re just happy to get a win.”
Groves began to make their push in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 17-9. The Rebels hit two 3-pointers to start the quarter and went on a 12-3 run.
Bradwell set the game’s pace in the opening quarter, making all seven of their free throws and ending the quarter leading 19-10.
Midway through the quarter, they went on a 12-0 run, sparked by a 3-pointer apiece from Dana King and Justin Monroe.
After Groves started the second quarter with a 3-pointer, the Tigers reeled off a 10-point run. Bradwell took a 35-22 lead into halftime.
Sims led the Tigers in scoring with 23, including 8 in the second quarter.
Three more Tiger players scored double-digits, including Monroe with 14, Villasencio with 11, including 7 in the first quarter and Peters with 10.
King scored 7 points and Jarvis Wardsworth chipped in 6 points.
The Tigers now focus their attention on Camden County (14-2, 7-1), who has won eight consecutive games including victories over Beach and Johnson. The Wildcats come to Hinesville on Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. Bradwell lost to Camden County 87-58 on Dec. 12 in Kingsland.