Now in his 19th season as girls’ basketball coach at Bryan County High School, Mario Mincey has always had players who were capable scorers and top rebounders: players like Olonna Rawls, Jay Black, Tiffany Howard, Olivia Melton, Kayley Wedlow, Julianne Brown, Shelby Gunn, Yasmine Crawford and Ashanti Brown immediately come to mind.

There are others, of course, who have been capable of dominating a game offensively or controlling the boards and their importance can’t be discounted. However, the heart and soul of Mincey’s program have been those who have understood their role, put in the time and effort and made the sacrifices for the good of the cause.

Bryan County (15-1, 8-0 Region 3A-DII) carried a 12-game win streak into Tuesday night’s game at McIntosh County Academy and barring a disaster of histrionic proportions, will—throwing out the 2021 COVID season—clinch its ninth straight 20-win season in the next few weeks.

This year statistically the Redskins’ top two players are senior point guard Jasmine Mikell who has started every game of her career and sophomore post player Layla Mincey. Both are averaging in double figures with Mikell leading the way at 19 per game while Mincey is averaging 12 rebounds and two blocks per game.

While those two obviously are key players, it's those seniors like Liz Harvey, Briana Crawford and Laney Sehr who are the heart and soul of the team. And that’s not to say they’re not capable of carrying their share of the load as they have had their moments.

In a 69-32 win at Claxton last Friday night, for example, Harvey followed up a 13-point game against Jenkins County three nights earlier with 16 points, six rebounds in four steals in her most complete game of the season. The Redskins beat Jenkins County, 63-20.

Sehr, who had 14 points in a 47-38 win over Emanuel County Institute, had a career high 15 against the Tigers. Mikell had 14 after scoring 25 against Jenkins County and Mincey had 15 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks. She had 10 points, 12 boards and three rebounds against Jenkins County as she continues to become a force inside.

The play of Sehr—the fact she is even playing—is heartwarming for Mincey and the Redskins team.

She suffered a severe ACL injury which cost her all of her sophomore season and half of last year. She has, Mincey said, been an inspiration to her teammates.

“It was hard not playing,” Sehr said. “The hardest part was when I had to go to therapy every day instead of practicing with my team.  

“That motivated me to get back out there and play,” Sehr said. “It feels good to be back. The injury put me down but I just wanted to be back out there with my team. Everyone supported and encouraged me.”

Sehr returned at mid-season last year and was a key contributor off the bench down the stretch as Bryan County won the regular season region race, advanced to the Sweet 16 and finished with a 24-4 mark.

The scrappy senior, who has developed into a solid defender, can’t drive to the basket like she would like but she has developed into a capable long-range shooter which, Mincey said, pays dividends for the others.

“The big thing is when she can make the shots it opens up the offense,” Mincey said. “We know they’re going to guard Jasmine, Layla and Liz. It’s hard to guard four players.

“She was our Workhorse Player of the Week a couple of weeks ago,” Mincey said. “She’s been working hard in practice and being a leader. I told her if we’re going to win the region we need her. She’s going to get some opportunities and if she makes her shots we’ll win.”

Sehr’s shooting has gotten better since the start of the season as a result of putting in extra work, especially during the holiday break.

“She asked me about coming in early to work on her shot,” Mincey said. “She was upset about her play at South Effingham. I thought she had played okay…solid, decent game. But she wanted to come in early and me being me we came in early. She got on the shot machine and it’s paying off.

“I hated it for her that she got hurt and had to watch but I think it has made her a better player,” Mincey said. “With the missed time she’s basically a sophomore.

“The thing I like about her is she’s a system player. You need those types of kids. I always say the system kids are the best kids.”

The Redskins will be at home Friday night when they take on Portal at 6 p.m. as they look to maintain a one-game lead over Metter (6-2, 5-1) with Screven County (8-5, 5-2) close behind.