Basketball Game Preview: Washington County Golden Hawks vs. Baldwin Braves

Washington County hasn't had much luck against Baldwin recently, but that could start to change on Saturday. The Washington County Golden Hawks will face off against the Baldwin Braves at 6:00 p.m. Washington County has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games.

Last Friday, Washington County got the win against Dublin by a conclusive 58-33. The Golden Hawks have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won nine matches by 20 points or more this season.

Washington County's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Jade Kitchens, who went 7 for 14 on her way to 15 points in addition to five rebounds and four steals. Another player making a difference was Aeria Hagans, who went 5 of 7 en route to 11 points along with six assists and three steals.

Washington County smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in five consecutive games.

Baldwin has been a dominant force so far, but they're in the middle of a mini-slump at the moment. They took a 53-43 hit to the loss column at the hands of Academy of Richmond County on Friday. The loss was a bit of a surprise, as the Braves came into the contest with a sizable advantage in MaxPreps' Georgia basketball rankings (they are ranked 88th, while the Musketeers are ranked 234th).

Washington County pushed their record up to 12-3 with the win, which was their third straight at home. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 55.3 points per game. As for Baldwin, their loss ended a six-game streak of away wins and brought them to 13-5.

Washington County came up short against Baldwin in their previous meeting back in January of 2024, falling 57-46. Can Washington County avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.