After four consecutive close losses to start the year, Baldwin’s girls’ basketball team got back on the winning side of things with a 72-5 demolition of Hancock Central last Friday night.
The Lady Braves jumped on the Bulldogs and never let up. The team led 38-3 heading into the locker room at halftime and continued to pour it on, out-scoring Hancock Central 34-2 in the second half.
Baldwin head coach Kizzy Walker acknowledged that even though it was the Bulldogs first year as a program, every girl got to experience playing on their home court.
“This was [Hancock Central girl’s] first year as a program, so their coach only recently rounded up some players for the team,” Walker said. “It was a good opportunity to spread the minutes out between all the girls so that they could get some experience in.”
Even though they’re 1-4, Baldwin’s first four losses came by a combined 14 points.
Baldwin dropped its season opener to Warner Robins after losing 51-47. In the next game, the Lady Braves led the Grayson Rams at halftime before getting outscored by 11 in the second half to lose 49-47.
Including the seven-point loss to Langston Hughes, Baldwin’s first three games came against bigger programs. The team’s most recent loss came against Central High School out of Macon, and it was only by one point.
Walker doesn’t let that discourage her or the team and knows it's still early in the year.
“We learned that we were out of shape, at least not in good enough shape to be playing competitive basketball,” Walker said. “We’ve got to learn how to handle pressure. They’re so used to winning that they only take the game seriously when it’s too late. They’ve had to work hard these past couple weeks and will for the rest of the season.”
Heading into its first region game this Thursday against Howard, Baldwin will look to replicate the same results as last year.
The Lady Braves finished the 2021 season at 26-3 with a perfect 13-0 region record. Given the level of their previous competitors, Walker thinks the tough games the team has played so far should give them an edge in region play.
“I think those first four games are going to prepare us for a Griffin team that presses all game,” Walker said. “We’re looking forward to playing them specifically, because they are pretty tough, and I want to see if our team can learn from its losses.”
The Lady Braves have multiple athletic guards and forwards at their disposal. The team also returns key girls from last year’s squad.
Jasmine Williams is one of the team’s captains this season and helps the team on both ends of the court. The Ruff twins, Madison and Morgan, also provide the Lady Braves with excellent guard play – Madison more offensively and Morgan more defensively.
Walker believes the team’s balance will help them match up against any opponent they come across.
“I just have a well-balanced team with leaders,” Walker said. “I’ve got a core group that leads on the stat sheet and in the locker room. If they play to their potential they can compete with anybody.”
All in all, expectations are high for the Lady Braves after making it to the state semifinals last season.