EDITORIAL: Show support for local hardwood teams this weekend

Published 9:00 am Saturday, February 16, 2019

Last weekend was a busy one sports-wise for local prep basketball teams, and once the final buzzer sounded, there was a lot for local fans to be proud of — by way of three region titles. 

The John Milledge Academy Trojans celebrated not one but two titles last weekend and the Baldwin High girls marked their first region championship title since the 2008-2009 season. 

And now that the regional tournament is over, there’s still a lot of basketball season left for all of Milledgeville and Baldwin County. 

This weekend local teams will be back in action and we know they would love to have fans pack the gyms in a show of support. The BHS boys, who finished third in the region, traveled to Macon to face Howard Friday evening and the Georgia Military College Prep Bulldogs hosted Drew Charter at the same time here at home.

The Region 3-AAAA champion Baldwin Bravettes will host their first-round matchup with the Knights of Upson-Lee, the fourth seed out of Region 2, Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Baldwin High gym. Then, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, the JMA Trojans travel to Macon to face Holy Spirit Prep at Stratford Academy. 

And don’t forget that the 19-2 GMC Prep girls have an opening round bye and will play an opponent to be determined after this weekend.

It’s been a great season for all the local high school basketball programs, with numerous milestones set. GMC Prep head coach James Lunsford earned his 800th victory last week; the JMA Lady Trojans finished their season earlier in the week but tallied an impressive 25-2 record on the year; the Trojan boys added another region title to make it back-to-back championships; and the BHS girls captured their first region title in nearly a decade. 

A large local turnout lets these student-athletes know that they are supported, win or lose — as should always be the case. What better way to keep the season momentum going than to show up in strong numbers this weekend to support these local student-athletes. Best of luck to all the local teams in the state playoffs.