Ladies go 3-for-3
Cookeville — It was a busy week for the Bearden High School girls basketball team as the Lady Bulldogs won three games in dominant fashion.
Bearden (10-1 overall, 3-0 in District 4-4A) closed out last week with a win over a defending state champion in the Midstate Saturday, Dec. 13. The Lady Bulldogs had little trouble with Memphis Business Academy as they posted a 73-35 victory at a tournament in Cookeville.
“They have a good program and they won a state championship in a smaller classification,” Bearden coach Justin Underwood said. “But we played really well.”
In Saturday’s win, it was the Lady Bulldogs’ trio of guards who shouldered the bulk of the offensive load. Senior and Missouri signee Natalya Hodge scored 24 points while Emma Rainey added 19 and Riley Hunt finished with 12.
“I think we had a good week. We played three games in six days,” Underwood said. “Nat, Emma and Riley, any of them can take over a game.
“We’re at our best when we share the ball and we share the ball well and in Cookeville, I think we did a good job offensively,” Underwood said, “We usually have two, three or four girls score in double figures and then we have our post players that do a good job getting us opportunities, second opportunities.”
On Thursday, Dec. 11, the Lady Bulldogs picked up a district victory over league newcomer Rhea County. Bearden routed the Lady Eagles, 74-33.
Hodge scored 33 points and Hunt added 17. In its three district games against Oak Ridge, Rhea County and Hardin Valley Academy, Bearden has defeated the three opponents by an average of 33 points.
In addition, the Lady Bulldogs, have won nine consecutive games since losing to West Ridge on Nov. 22. They would later avenge their lone loss of the season over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Bearden opened last week with a road district win as it toppled Hardin Valley Academy, 60-36.
“I thought Hardin Valley and Rhea County were very similar teams,” Underwood said. “They both have good guards who can shoot well and they have a good post player.”
Hodge had 33 points against the Lady Hawks while Hunt added 17 and Rainey finished with eight.
