New Hampstead boys still eye playoffs despite rocky start

BLOOMINGDALE, Ga. (WSAV) — The first season in the return of Savannah native Bakari Bryant has not been the fairy tale many imagined.

The current coach of the New Hampstead Phoenix returned after a successful stint at Dougherty High School in Albany, Ga.

So far the Phoenix are 6-11 on the year. However, things may be turning around for Bryant’s bunch. In their last outing, they defeated Benedictine in overtime, 53-50. The victory marked their first region win of the season.

Head coach Bakari Bryant said the buy in is coming from the players. As the playoffs draw closer, Coach Bryant said you never know what could happen.

“In high school,” Bryant said, it’s not always how you start, it’s how you finish. When playoff time comes around, when the region tournament comes around, that’s when you want to get hot. You just keep plugging, keep coaching. Hopefully we can [make the playoffs]. Just catch that catch that bug at that time and then go on a run.”

New Hampstead will look to pick up its second region win on Friday as they travel to Warner Robins.

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