Eight grade Bearcats win championship
Published 6:50 pm Friday, January 27, 2017
The Baindridge Middle School 8th Grade Bearcats basketball team concluded their 2016-2017 season Wednesday when they hosted the Macintyre Park Bulldogs out of Thomasville. The Bulldogs came into the contest with an undefeated 21-0 record.
The Bearcats played in Thomasville the week before and lost on a last second 3-pointer. The Bearcats entered Wednesday’s game determined to prove that they were the best team in the area. The Bearcats defeated the Bulldogs in dominant fashion with a 68-51. This improved the Bearcats’ record to 13- 1, and the regular season Southwest Georgia Championship.
The win the concluded the most dominant regular season in BMS basketball history. Three of the 13 wins this season were by 50 plus points. The Bearcats made their mark with intense full court pressure defense and toughness. Coach Heath Maxwell said that every opposing coach commented to him about how hard his players played and how fast they were on defense.
The Cats’ leading scoring this year was forward Javon Lee. He averaged 21 points per game and was the leading rebounder for the team. The player that drove the team was point guard Rashad Broadnax. According to Maxwell, Broadnax was the best ball handler he has coached in his 15 year coaching career. The defensive leader for the team was guard Caleb McDowell. His quickness and athleticism enabled him to shut down every opponent’s best player.
Every player on the 8th grade roster contributed to this season’s successful result. Mark Taylor and Jamorris Cosby were consistent and solid players the entire season. Dorian Cooper was the utility player for the team. He plugged in the starting lineup every time Maxwell needed him to at multiple positions. The sharp shooters for the team from 3-point range were guards Connor Poitievent and A. J. Johnson. The energy man who was always playing 100 miles per hour was Caleb Lewis. Rounding out the roster were the lunch pail players who practiced hard and gave everything they had each game: Aaron Mosely, Chris Mack, and Clayton Lewis.
Maxwell said that this team was a pleasure to coach and that he will certainly miss them next season.