David Brent Martin
In a game that was looking rather sluggish in the first three quarters, the Baldwin Bravettes and Burke County Lady Bears duked it out at Baldwin High Friday night until the Bravettes pulled away in the fourth quarter for another big Region 3-AAA victory, 54-42.
Freshman Jayla Waller has really been stepping up her game after being inserted into the starting lineup around mid-season, scoring the Bravettes first five points of the game.
The Lady Bears were bent on avenging an earlier loss to the Bravettes Friday as they raced out to an early lead and applied relentless pressure on Baldwin’s starting five.
After the first quarter Burke County led Baldwin 12-8, and took advantage of several missed Bravette opportunities underneath the basket.
But as the second quarter wore on the Baldwin defense began to erupt, forcing Burke County into awkward shots and passes, but the Lady Bears continued to fight and would take Baldwin into halftime leading 23-21.
In the third quarter the Bravettes continued their surge as junior Valencia Tuft hit a big 3-pointer to cut into Burke’s lead 25-24. Senior Kelli Morrow then gave Baldwin their first lead of the game, 25-24, and the Bravettes appeared to start gaining control of the contest. At the end of the third quarter, Baldwin clung to a 37-34 lead.
In the final quarter, the Bravettes (12-7) really took charge and began pulling away from their Region 3-AAA rival, with thunderous blocks from Marks, and never-say-die pursuit from the likes of Waller, Morrow, Butts and Palmer.
Senior Sameria Butts had a fine game, both offensively and defensively, and finished with seven points and five steals. Senior center Haley Marks, who’s leading the team in scoring, got hot late in the game and finished with 12 points and several blocks to prevent the Lady Bears from eating into Baldwin’s fourth quarter lead.
Sophomore Ikiah Palmer finished the evening with 11 points and also increased her intensity in the second half of play. Valencia Tuft started knocking them down from the 3-point arc as the game progressed and totalled 11 points on the night. Senior Kelli Morrow finished with five points.
Coach Jenean Cooper-Bolston and her surging Bravettes will travel to Wilkinson County Saturday night for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
The Baldwin High boys versus Burke County boys results will appear in Tuesday’s paper due to a late tipoff and early deadlines at The Union-Recorder.
