In the Statesboro basketball home opener on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, both the men’s and women’s teams were able to tame the Richmond Hill wildcats in dominant performances. The women’s winning, 58-41, and the men’s team, winning, 60-35.
At the start of this season, the Lady Blue Devils are ranked fifth in the state. Because of this, they have to have a different mindset going into this season.
“Everybody is coming for us,” said head coach Marty Holder. “For us it’s just a win, but for everybody else beating us makes a name for themselves.”
They’ve never been in this position coming into their season, so they have to prepare harder than they ever have before. And that hard work is seeming to pay off after coming out on top after a scrappy and intense four quarters last night. Senior Center, Alyssa Staten, led the way with 16 points and right behind her with 15 points of her own was senior guard Reya Johnson.
On the men’s side, the Blue Devils are a little young this year, but with 4 seniors leading the way, everyone is giving effort and buying into the team first mentality. That showed very fervently last night as the men’s team finished with a commanding win over Richmond Hill.
Senior guard, Raylin Grant, got the ball rolling, with 21 points. Junior Forward Camden Wilkerson followed suit with 13 of his own. Head coach Keith LeGree agrees that his team is buying into the effort, not for him, but for each other.
“I’ve had teams in the past where you had half that were giving it [effort] and half that were not, but these guys, no matter how many points they score, or how much time that they play, when they come in their giving that effort,” LeGree said.
With this being their first home-opener of the season, the Statesboro gym was packed. The community came out to support and that was evident with how electric the atmosphere was.
Everyone looks to be excited for Statesboro basketball this season and with both teams looking as good as they do, the anticipation is valid.
Up Next
Both varsity Blue Devil teams will be back in action next Friday (Dec. 1) in Savannah versus St. Andrews with the varsity girls playing at 6:00 p.m. and varsity boys playing at 7:30 p.m.
They will also be playing at home next Saturday (Dec. 2) against Tattnall County with the varsity girls playing at 5:00 p.m. and the varsity boys playing at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for both games are available for purchase via GoFan.
