The Redskin boys and girls basketball teams both fell to Jenkins County on Dec. 14 and then to Toombs County on Dec. 18. Both were away games.
The Redskin boys basketball team showed much improvement at Jenkins County on Dec. 14. They nearly came from behind by overcoming an early deficit, but still fell short to Jenkins 57-66.
Justin Harrison was the point leader with 17 while Thermon Gaines had 14. Winston Johnson, Arsenio Key, Ivey Mutcherson and Willie Harris each scored six points. Justin Bostick had 7 rebounds.
The Skins started out slow as the score was 14-0 in the first quarter before Bryan County scored. At one point in the second, the Skins were down by 29 points. Enough was enough as they came back big after that, tailing by merely two points at the end of their rally. It was too late though as the Eagles had a rally of their own to edge out the visiting Redskins.
Head coach Keith Bazemore said the improvement he is seeing, along with the game-time arrival of several injured key players, could equal success for the Skins in the weeks to come. Success that has eluded both the boys and the girls of Bryan County thus far as neither can claim a victory at this point in the season.
"This team seems to be getting a little better each time out. We’ve lost the last three games right at the end," Bazemore said. "We’re getting some players back very soon – all of whom are out due to football injuries. All are key players who have yet to play a game for us. I’m about to call Willie Deloach’s doctor to see if he’s got clearance. DJ McElroy hasn’t played yet but is on the path to recovery. We also have a very athletic sophomore, Joseph Jenkins, who is going to be key player and is just about ready to make his debut."
The Lady Redskins fell 56-30 this same night to Jenkins. Brittany Slater and Samantha Howard each scored seven points.
In Lyons, the end score for the girls was a 35-49 loss to Toombs County High School. Tara Miles led with 12 points, and Coach Mario Mincey said the girls "played really hard, but Toombs made a bunch of free throws right at the end to stretch the lead out."
The boys lost 55-35 to Toombs. Willie Deloach made his return this night, but was only cleared for limited play. In the mere 12 minutes he was on the court, he scored 14 points for the Skins. Winston Johnson scored nine.
Bazemore said Deloach’s performance is a good sign for the program and is hopeful all the guys on the injured list will heal up over the holidays.
"It was a pretty close game through two and a half quarters," Bazemore said. "At the end of the third, we let a full court press from Toombs get the best of us."
The scheduled Dec. 15 game versus ECI was cancelled as the school was in the midst of taking the 3A state football title. That game was rescheduled for Dec. 29. After that, BCHS faces region foe Calvary in away games on Jan. 4.