The No. 7-ranked Bradwell Institute girls took control of the Region 1 race on Tuesday by coming from behind to beat No. 10 Statesboro 45-36 in Hinesville.
The Tigers improved to 15-1 overall and 3-1 in league play. Statesboro dropped to 14-2, 3-1 in the league. Ware County is tied for second at 13-5, 3-1. Bradwell has won seven straight games and put an end to Statesboro’s 13-game winning streak.
Statesboro looked strong in the first half and built a 22-14 lead at halftime. The Blue Devils were able to successfully run the floor and take advantage of a bushel of Bradwell turnovers.
But the second half belonged to Bradwell. The Tigers quickly got back in the game with an 8-0 run and took the lead for the first time on a jumper by Parris Parham.
Bradwell took a 32-29 lead into the final period and Statesboro was never able to get any closer. The Blue Devils inability to score from the outside allowed Bradwell to pack the paint and thwart Statesboro’s ability to drive to the basket.
Bradwell got a strong game from junior guard Jordyn Rogers, who was able to penetrate to the basket and scored 16 points. Junior Parham scored nine of her 13 points in the second half thanks to her ability to drive and score. Sophomore Jamie Ousley scored 12 points.
For the season, Parham averages 20.4 points and 9.0 rebounds and Rogers averages 9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds. Sophomore Ja’naya Bush was averaging 19 points in December when she tore her ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
Statesboro was able to ride the duo of seniors Reya Johnson, a dervish guard, and Alyssa Staten, a sturdy 6-footer on the inside. Johnson averages 19.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.8 steals. State averages 16.9 points, 14.9 rebounds and 3.1 blocks. Both scored 11, but the Bradwell defense denied much of Statesboro’s initiative in the second half.
The teams will play again on Feb. 3 in Statesboro.
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