Region 7-A: Allendale-Fairfax vs. Bamberg-Ehrhardt

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this late point in the 2023-24 season, only three teams have realistic chances at claiming this year's Region 7-A crown. Two of those teams had the honor of doing battle against each other this past Wednesday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering Wednesday's contest that would likely determine the region champion, both the Tigers and Red Raiders were in the throes of winning streaks. Allendale-Fairfax (with a six-game win streak) had not dropped a game since a holiday tournament matchup vs. Denmark-Olar in late December at Blackville-Hilda.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bamberg-Ehrhardt – winners of five consecutive – last dropped a contest in mid-January against region rival Bethune-Bowman.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pivotal – and competitive - region clash would go the way of Allendale-Fairfax as they outlasted Bamberg-Ehrhardt with the final score being 56-52.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“At this point, it's about fine-tuning and getting ready to take it one game at a time,” Tigers coach Coby Brandyburg says. “Because at this time of the year, I don't care whether you're on the road or at home, usually everybody's had some type of success.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Remember What Happened Last Time? </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Allendale-Fairfax and Bamberg-Ehrhardt met last season in region play, the result was not close. The February 1 matchup may have been at the home of the Red Raiders but it resulted in a very lopsided 50-15 result in the Tigers' favor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two teams also met last season during holiday tournament play. That contest was much closer, but still resulted in a 34-30 Allendale-Fairfax win in late December.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the season, both the Tigers and Red Raiders had come accustomed to running their opponents off the floor – particularly in region play. Reality was setting in for both teams that this one would be a challenge through one frame. With one complete, Allendale-Fairfax led Bamberg-Ehrhardt 12-9.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers managed to put a bit of distance between themselves and the Red Raiders in the second quarter, but it was still close. As halftime commenced, Allendale-Fairfax's lead over Bamberg-Ehrhardt was 24-16.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Tigers advantage that was eight at the conclusion of the first half was 10 with three quarters having elapsed. Allendale-Fairfax's lead over Bamberg-Ehrhardt was 42-32 with the fourth quarter lurking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A common theme of the game – including the fourth quarter – was how an Allendale-Fairfax run would be followed by a Bamberg-Ehrhardt rally. The Tigers' lead over the Red Raiders was 55-52 late and a couple of late tries to tie the game by Bamberg-Ehrhardt were unsuccessful. A late Allendale-Fairfax free throw made it a two-possession game to seal the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It was a game of runs,” Brandyburg says. “We got in some foul trouble late in the first half (and) early in the second half. So, we had to play with our lineup a little bit and it seemed like every time we wanted to pull away, they answered. That's just a testament to a good team.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":848102,"width":"490px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_9525-crop-2236x1469-1706777194.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-848102" style="width:490px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='171804' first='Trinity' last='Mickell']</strong> is a matchup problem for many teams and Bamberg-Ehrhardt was no exception. The Tigers' resident senior star big led all scorers with 23 points. She had another effective game as a point-getter and a rebounder. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“One thing I was impressed by what (Bamberg-Ehrhardt) did – (Trinity's presence) didn't deter them from attacking the basket and wanting to feed the ball inside,” Brandyburg says. “One of the good things is that she can alter shots and she does a good job rebounding as well.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":848104,"width":"482px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_9651-crop-1833x1204-1706777342.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-848104" style="width:482px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allendale-Fairfax's efforts were also aided with a pair of nine-point scorers. One of those was <strong>Amyiah Badger</strong> – a freshman. She tallied nine points and her scoring efforts included a pair of 3-pointers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":848106,"width":"482px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_9467-crop-2752x1807-1706777455.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-848106" style="width:482px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of seniors, <strong>Lokeya Robinson</strong> also had a productive game with nine points. Allendale-Fairfax made five 3-pointers for the game. Three of those triples departed from Robinson's hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":848108,"width":"477px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_9713-crop-1833x1204-1706777607.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-848108" style="width:477px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bamberg-Ehrhardt was led by a freshman who first gained varsity experience last season as an eighth grader. That 2027 is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='848227' first='Carmyn' last='Folk']</strong> who placed 15 points on the board to aid the Red Raiders' cause.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":848110,"width":"487px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_9446-crop-2947x1935-1706777732.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-848110" style="width:487px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Folk was a crucial player in Bamberg-Ehrhardt's efforts inside. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1121267' first='Raven' last='Brown']</strong> was a crucial player in spearheading the Red Raiders' efforts from the outside. She finished with 14 points – including four 3-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":848112,"width":"488px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/02/IMG_9606-crop-2705x1776-1706777875.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-848112" style="width:488px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another element of the interior attack the Red Raiders threw at the Tigers was sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840352' first='Ezariah' last='Williams']</strong>. She added nine points to Bamberg-Ehrhardt's total. Williams stands at 5-foot-11 and primarily plays at the four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Up Next...</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams have two region contests remaining. The Tigers will host Bridges Prep on Feb. 5 for Senior Night and will be on the road at Royal Live Oaks Academy to close out the regular season on Feb. 7. As for the Red Raiders, they will travel to Bethune-Bowman this Friday before finishing the season on Tuesday with Senior Night vs. Branchville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->