Baldwin boys’ basketball capped off an action-packed week with a close victory over Wesleyan last Saturday at the inaugural Hoop Atlanta Holiday Classic at Peachtree Ridge High School.
The Braves topped the Wolves 52-47, led by senior Tremarius Lawrence, who came alive in the fourth quarter. The 6-foot-1 point guard scored all 12 of his points in the final period.
Baldwin senior guard Isaiah Dennis also contributed a team-high 19 points while grabbing three rebounds, dishing out one assist, registering a block, and getting a steal in the win over the Class 3A Wolves.
The game was tight between both teams in the first half, with Wesleyan leading the Braves, 27-26.
However, the third quarter started slowly with neither team scoring in the first three minutes before Baldwin got back-to-back baskets from Dennis and Devin Nelson to lead 30-27 at the 3:45 mark.
The Braves held a 35-33 advantage over Wesleyan heading into the fourth when Lawrence took over. The senior was clutch down the stretch, hitting a jump shot and scoring four points off steals.
Each team started the period with a fast-paced surge, leaving the score tied at 39 with 5:46 left. While the Wolves added a few baskets in the next few minutes, Lawrence hit a pair of buckets and two free throws while Dennis nailed a jumper, giving Baldwin a 47-45 lead with 3:35 left in the game.
The Braves never squandered the advantage as Lawrence had a couple more key plays.
“Had to grind this one out,” Baldwin head coach Ben Smith posted later on Twitter (X). “Got it done, though.”
Wesleyan got solid contributions from seniors Josh Kavel (22 points) and James McGriff (14 points). Kavel scored most of his points in the first half, with eight coming in the first quarter. McGriff didn’t score in the opening period but helped carry the Wolves from the second quarter on.
However, for the second half, Baldwin adjusted and switched up its defensive scheme, limiting Wesleyan to only six points in the third quarter. In the final quarter, Lawrence made the difference – as well as the Braves bench – which provided a key spark in the final few minutes.
Sophomores Karez Demory (3 points) and Omari Woodward (3 points) made a few plays down the stretch to help get the win. Nelson added 14, with one rebound, an assist, a steal, and a block.
Still, the senior duo of Dennis and Lawrence makes it hard for opponents to stop Baldwin’s offense. Add in the effort of Demory, Nelson, and a few others and the Braves can be a tough team to beat.
“It feels pretty good,” Dennis said of the win in an interview with Hoop Atlanta. “I feel like I impacted (the game) pretty good with the mid-range (shots) and threes going in. We were stopping the ball and getting boards. Defense (wins), definitely. It was a good vibe.”
Baldwin’s game against Wesleyan was its third during the holiday break.
The Braves (8-1, 2-0 Region 2-4A) traveled to south Georgia earlier in the week to face Lee County and Westover in Albany.
Lee handed Baldwin its first loss of the season, winning 69-57 on a neutral court on Dec. 19 at Monroe High School. Demory scored a game-high 25 points in the loss to the Trojans.
Baldwin rebounded with a 59-47 win over Westover the following day as Dennis led in scoring with 23 points. Nelson also stepped up and contributed 10 points in the double-digit win.
“I scheduled Lee and Westover because they’re both tough programs,” Smith said before the break. “It will be good for our guys to play a few playoff-caliber teams before the region heats up next month.”
Next week, the Braves will play three games, starting with Griffin at home on Tuesday, followed by road trips to Westside (Macon) on Friday, and to Sandersville on Saturday to face Washington County.