Bearden girls win, go to 19-1
BEARDEN — In the first half at home Friday night, Jan. 26, Bearden High School’s girls’ basketball team scored only 18 points against Maryville High, a possible indication of being unable to practice for two weeks because of the recent snowstorm.
In the second half, any rust was as long-gone as the snow.
Sophomore point guard Natalya Hodge, the Lady Bulldogs’ fiery field general, scored 20 second-half points, and Bearden pulled away for a 49-33 win.
The Lady Bulldogs improved to 19-1 overall, and stayed perfect (3-0) in District 4-4A entering this week.
“Defensively I thought they stuck to the game plan,” BHS head coach Justin Underwood said. “Couldn’t be prouder of our kids. We had one day of prep yesterday, first day of practice in two weeks.”
After falling behind 2-0, Bearden scored nine straight to lead 9-2 after one. The teams traded baskets in the second, and the half ended with the Lady Bulldogs up 18-12.
A layup pulled the Lady Rebels to within six, 22-16, with 4:10 left in the third. But Bearden then put on the press, and it completely changed the game.
A three by Rachael Wilhoit made it 25-16. Consecutive steals as a result of the press led to a lay-up by Kendall Anne Murphy and a three by Hodge, and the lead was suddenly 14, 30-16.
The third ended 36-21.
MHS hung around, and pulled to within 10 with 6:23 left in the game, but no closer.
“We were fine with playing a slow-paced game, but we felt like we could press in spots and we could surprise them,” Underwood said.
Hodge led all scorers with 23. Murphy added 11.
“I’m very proud of our team,” Murphy said. “We had so many days off, we just had to get back into the groove of things.”
Karly Hunt was high for MHS in points with 10.
“We came out down six (in the third) and turned it over a couple times against their press,” Lady Rebels head coach Taylor Clark said. “We kinda got frazzled. And they capitalized off of it.”
