Bearden girls roll at Hardin Valley, enter week still perfect
Hawks 40
Bulldogs 57
HARDIN VALLEY — Poor shooting combined with the size and athleticism of Bearden spelled doom, in the form of a 17-point loss, for Hardin Valley Academy girls basketball.
Led by 19 points from junior guard Trinity Lee, the Bulldogs stayed unbeaten with a 57-40 victory at HVA Friday night, Dec. 16.
“We did not shoot the ball well. We missed a lot of easy baskets,” said Hawks head coach Jennifer Galloway, whose team fell to 9-2 overall and 3-1 in District 4-AAA. “They’re one of the biggest teams we’ve played and they’re extremely athletic.”
“I think it comes back to defense. ... We were very pleased with being able to not let them dominate like they have in some cases,” said BHS head coach Justin Underwood, whose team entered the week 10-0, 4-0. “Abbey [Cornelius] had a real good game, but we tried to slow down their other players. … I think we were pretty successful.”
Cornelius, a junior post, led HVA with 18 points. Lizzie Davis, junior guard, added nine.
Jalia Arnwine, senior guard, scored 11 for the Bulldogs followed by junior post Grace van Rij with nine and fellow post Isabel Soldner, a senior, with eight.
“Jalia Arnwine had a couple of big plays right at the start of the fourth quarter that really ignited our run [20-9] in the fourth quarter,” Underwood said. “... She gives us a lot of energy. She’s kind of our heartbeat.”
The week started strong in district for Hardin Valley, withstanding a Maryville 15-6 fourth quarter charge to win 54-51 in overtime at HVA Tuesday night, Dec. 13.
Senior post/wing Bekah Hampton led the Hawks in scoring with 16, while Davis added 14.
“Bekah Hampton was able to hit some big shots for us consistently throughout the game,” Galloway said. “Lizzie Davis was able to help us out offensively and defensively, distributing the basketball and scoring herself, especially in the second half.”
Paige Gentry, junior guard, carried much of the HVA scoring load in overtime, nailing a three-point jumper and four free throws for seven of the Hawks’ 10 OT points.
“We were able to hit free throws in overtime to help us win the ballgame,” Galloway said. “Paige also hit a big ‘three’ in overtime.”
Guard Courtney Caruthers led Maryville with 24 points.
