On paper, Bryan County’s girls basketball team looks to be a lock to win its first region championship since 2017.

The Redskins (22-3) finished unbeaten in the Region 3A-DI regular season race, winning its 10 games by an average margin of 21 points. That included narrow wins over Metter (58-55) and Screven County (51-47), both on the road.

And it would appear that Kayley Wedlow has no competition for being named region Player of the Year for the second straight year. Her closest competition could come from teammate Ashanti Brown as the two have combined to give the Redskins the top one-two punch in the region.

Wedlow, who transferred from Statesboro High School following her sophomore year, is averaging 18 points and six rebounds per game and has scored over 1,000 points in her career. Brown, a junior in her third year as a starter, is averaging 14 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Bryan County, already assured of a berth in the GHSA Class A-DI state playoffs by virtue of winning the regular season title, launches its championship chase Thursday at 7 p.m. at Metter against the winner of Tuesday night’s Savannah-Woodville Tompkins game.

The Redskins beat both teams twice by between 19 and 28 points and if form follows, they will meet No. 2 seed Metter in Friday’s 7 p.m. championship game.

While his team is a heavy favorite Mincey takes nothing for granted having suffered previous disappointments. This is the fifth time in seven seasons the Redskins have been in position to win the region with only the 2017 title to show for their efforts.  

“One thing I have learned being in it so long is I’m never confident,” said Mincey, who is in his 17th season at Bryan County. “We’re always going to take the underdog approach.

“Even as the No. 1 team we’re still going to take the underdog approach. We always look at it as if we have something to prove.”

Wedley, however, has little to prove. After averaging nearly nine points a game as a sophomore reserve at Statesboro she fit in from day one at Bryan County.

“She’s a perfectionist,” Mincey said of his shooting guard who is adept both as a long-range shooter and someone who can put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket.

Wedlow is one of only two seniors—the other is first year player Tashiya Burlingame—and she understands how important it is for her to set the standard for the younger players and not just as a basketball player.

“I think what I bring to this team is leadership,” Wedlow said. “I want to be a great example and make sure they make the right choices on and off the court.

“When it comes to school, I tell them they have to get to class, do their work. I tell them if they need help, I can help them. Stuff like that. I feel like I set a great example for that and they look up to me because of that.”

While she’s been a prolific scorer, Wedlow would prefer to talk about her defense which is Mincey’s No. 1 priority. The veteran coach believes the best offense is a good defense.

“I find it much more satisfying to make a steal and a good pass than making a 3-point shot,” Wedlow said. “Defense is something we’re always working on. We’re playing pretty good but we can always do better. I know I can play better defense and rebound better.”