>> BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL
Baldwin boys’ basketball is being led by a new head coach this season, but the expectations are on the team. Ben Smith, who was hired away from Dublin High School earlier this year, knows what it takes to win.
Smith helped his alma mater become a basketball powerhouse in the state, going 75-14 the last three years. Now, he wants to continue that “tradition of winning” at his new job with the Braves.
Former Baldwin head coach Anthony Webb accomplished a lot in his four seasons, including three region championships and adding a Class 4A state championship in 2020-21 to the school’s trophy case.
“The main thing is to carry on that tradition of winning. Now, it’s time to just elevate the program even further,” Smith said. “This is not a job I’m coming to where it’s a rebuild. It’s been extremely successful, even in recent years because they won a state championship a few years ago.”
According to Smith, his vision for the future of the program is simple: take it to new heights.
“I am just trying to come in and continue that success. Taking it even higher,” Smith said. “My vision for the program is not to just be one of the better teams in the middle Georgia area, but the state, no matter the classification. We want to (play in) regional tournaments and get our kids recruited.”
Smith has a lot of talent returning on the 2023-24 roster. The Braves will be led by Tremarius “Tre” Lawrence, a 6-foot-1, 162-pound guard who averaged 15.2 points per game last year.
“Tre (Lawrence) is a senior. He is going to be our leader,” Smith said. “He’s a great defender and a great controller of the basketball. He’s got great vision by just setting the tone. Very crafty with the ball. I think he’s been flying under the radar. He’s going to be playing in college next year.”
Isaiah Dennis is another Baldwin senior to watch on the court this season. The 6-foot-3 guard was the Braves’ second-leading scorer last season, averaging 17.2 points per game as a junior.
Smith acknowledged Dennis’ “high motor” will help the team a lot defensively and in transition this year.
“He’s a kid that can shoot the ball,” Smith said of Dennis. “I would say he’s one of the top shooters in the state. He made seven 3s (3-pointers) in our first game. He got an offer from Ole Miss in the eighth grade. He’s a guy that can mix it up, but I am also excited about our younger guys.”
Baldwin’s roster features several talented underclassmen, including sophomores Karez Demory and Deven Nelson. The Braves also have sophomore Omari Woodard, a 6-foot-5 power forward.
“All of those guys have tons and tons of potential,” Smith said of his sophomore class. “I’m looking forward to seeing them grow, but those five names in particular are going to probably lead us this year.”
Baldwin enters week three of the season with an undefeated record. The Braves have picked up wins over Morrow (76-59), Central-Macon (78-36), and Southwest-Macon (60-42) already this year.
Smith is hoping his team can continue building on success. The first-year coach wants his squad to be playing its best brand of basketball toward the end of the season and not in December.
The Braves have a tough slate coming up, though, with non-region games against Swainsboro, Lee County, Westover, and Wesleyan during the Christmas break before cranking up league play next month.
“I don’t want to schedule for comfort,” Smith said. “I always wanted to schedule tough games so we can get tested, especially before the playoffs. I want to schedule a few wars and maybe get a scar or two. So, I want to play games against bigger schools and schools that are just good in general.”
Next up, Baldwin will host Howard on Nov. 8 for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.