Coach Rickey McCullough’s 2014-2015 Bainbridge High School Bearcats basketball team is working hard in preparation for their Tuesday, Nov. 25, preseason scrimmage against the Early County High School Bobcats in Blakely.
They will host Moultrie’s Colquitt County High School Packers in their Tuesday, Dec. 2, regular season opener.
They must find replacements for forward Stephen Johnson and guard Tavareous Bowens, who both graduated after strong senior seasons a year ago. Johnson, a second team All-Region 1-AAAAA selection, was the team’s top rebounder. Bowens was the assist and steals leader.
Leading the returnees is junior guard Tyree Crump, who has verbally committed to play with the University of Georgia Bulldogs following his final two seasons with the Bearcats. Last season he averaged 22.4 points a game while helping the Bearcats to the Region 1-AAAAA regular season championship, a second place finish in the Region 1-AAAAA Tournament and a berth in the Elite 8 round of the State Class AAAAA Tournament.
“Tyree is a strong outside shooter, but he can also beat you off the dribble and drive in for a layup,” McCullough said in describing Crump’s skills.
“He causes matchup problems for opposing defenses.”
McCullough said the team would be playing in Region 1-AAAA this season and he is trying to get more familiar with all the new teams personnel.”
Also returning for the Bearcats is junior Trevon Shaw, a first team All-Region 1-AAAAA selection who was the team’s top rebounder last season, and junior Devontae Jones, an honorable mention All-Region 1-AAAAA selection.
Shaw averaged 8 points and 8 rebounds a game and Jones averaged 6.5 points a game.