On Dec. 29, the Bryan County Redskins loaded the buses and headed to Twin City to take on the ECI Bulldogs for a holiday break basketball contest. These games were originally scheduled as home games for Bryan County on Dec. 15, but ECI rescheduled in order to participate in scheduled celebrations from winning the 3-A state football title the night before.
ECI proved football isn’t the only sport they dominate with overwhelming victories over the Skins and Lady Skins: 80-50 over the boys and a 70-18 loss for the girls.
With an 0-9 record, the BCHS boys continued their streak of misfortune, but there were some bright spots. Leading the way for Bryan County in this contest was Ivey Mutcherson with 13 points. Hitting the basket for 10 points was Thurmon Gaines, followed by center Justin Bostick, who pulled down 9 rebounds and added 7 points.
ECI was led on offense by LaCollie Gordon, who drilled home 20 points, and three other ECI players scored in double digits in this lopsided win.
Coach Mario Mincey continued to watch his girls battle hard, only to come out on the losing end again to continue their losing ways on the hardwood. Mincey had praise for two girls who played hard to the very end – Brittany Slater and Tara Miles.
"These two girls fought and battled all night long trying to lead their team to victory and I was very proud of that," Mincey said.
Fundamentals continue to be the focus for the young Lady Skins, as they prepare and hope for better days for this program.
"We are just so young and inexperienced as far as game experience is concerned," Mincey said. "I am having to play freshmen and sophomores who are inexperienced and, against a tough ECI squad, we just didn’t have much of a chance. We are two to three years away from having this team to where we want it, but these girls never give up and are eager to learn and that shows promise for what is ahead for Lady Skins basketball."
The next game on the basketball slate will be an away game at Calvary on Jan. 4 for both the girls and boys of Bryan County.