Bamberg Ehrhardt getting ready for the class A playoffs

Bamberg Ehrhardt getting ready for the class A playoffs



By Neill Kirkpatrick

Special to the HSSR

Bamberg – In Head Coach Candace Jones first season (23-24) at the helm of the Bamberg Ehrhardt girls basketball her team finished the season with a 20-6 record and a second-round appearance in the class AA playoffs so as the 24-25 season approached expectations were high with her entire roster returning. However, an injury to senior captain My'Chiya Johnson changed coach Jones expectations for her team.

“When we lost My'Chiya it changed our approach as a team. Each player found something they do well and together we started playing at a high level. Our goal is to be one of the top teams/programs in the area and Class 1A,” said coach Jones. “This team has exceeded my expectations and continues to play at a high level.”

The Lady Red Raiders are currently ranked number four by the HSSR and are 20-2 after beating Ridgeland 67-29 on Monday. They are currently 6-1 in region 4 A with three games remaining including a rematch against third ranked Denmark-Olar. A win and the Lady Red Raiders would tie Denmark-Olar atop the region standings.

The Lady Raider are lead by three senior in Raven Brown, Markayla Thomas and Cailyn Youmans. Brown is a returning All State and All Region player. She was named as one of the top five players in Class A. Heading into the season she had an outside shot at hitting the 1000 career point barrier. She leads the team in scoring and in steals per game. Coach Jones said she is the leader of the team and a coach on the floor.

Seniors Cailyn Youmans and Markayla Thomas have stepped up their games. Youmans is also a captain and returning all-region performer. Last season she was like Windex, cleaning the glass at 12 per game to lead the team. This season she has up her game on the offensive end and it averaging a double-double this season.

Thomas has taken over the point guard position and sets the tone for the Lady Red Raider offense and defense. She is dropping five dimes a game and leads the team in steals.

Rounding out the starting five are sophomore Carmyn Folk and freshman Jada Sanders. Folk made the all-region team as a freshmen after averaging 5.5 ppg, 8 rpg and 4 steals per game last season. This season she has increased her scoring and continues to crash the boards.

Sanders has emerged a lockdown perimeter defender for our team and brings intensity to the floor. She is second on the team in assists.

Three juniors have played well off the bench for the Lady Red Raiders in Ah'Minah Brunson, Ezariah Williams and Maureal Kimble. Brunson has been on fire in the second half of the season averaging a double/ double. She is able to play different positions on defense allowing the Lady Red Raiders to change up their schemes.

Williams is coming off a solid sophomore season where she averaged eight points per game and nine rebounds per game. She is another versatile low post player who can play the four or five position.

Kimble provides instant offense off the bench and stretch the defense with her three-point shot.

“My team needs to play more consistently on the offensive end and limit turnovers if we want to make a run in the playoffs,” said coach Jones.“  I think we have learned as a team that accountability is the key to ensuring all players are carrying their weight and doing what is needed of them in order to compete at a high level at all times.”