Lady Tigers defeat Lady Bulldogs
J.R. Tidwell/FCT Red Bay’s Jade Ezzell (11) looks for a teammate while defended by Bridget Thompson (10) of Belgreen.
The Red Bay Lady Tigers continued their winning ways against Belgreen Tuesday night by defeating the Lady Bulldogs 88-51.
Red Bay used a relentless press throughout much of the game to prevent Belgreen from adding points to its score.
“We got after it tonight,” Red Bay head coach Donnie Roberts said. “Every day we’re tinkering with different presses. “Right now we’re better in a zone press than in man to man.”
The Lady Tigers had jumped out to a 24-12 lead by the end of the first quarter. Belgreen had trouble getting the ball across midcourt as Red Bay’s press caused several turnovers.
Despite the Lady Bulldogs’ difficulties, both teams drained several 3’s throughout the game, totaling 20 combined by the end of the match. Shots from behind the arc by Erica Smith and Laken Bragwell kept Belgreen within 20 points of Red Bay at the break.
The Lady Tigers went on a 21-10 run in the first six minutes of the third, again aided by the press on defense.
“Red Bay has a really good team,” Belgreen head coach Ritchie Hester said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if they win the 2A state title.”
The Lady Tigers had a 75-44 lead going into the fourth. The press was so effective that Red Bay did not give up any of its lead in the fourth despite playing the third string.
“Bridget Thompson and Laken [Bragwell] hit pretty well for us,” Hester said. “It’s good that we got to play some of our young players. The good news is we don’t have to play Red Bay again.”
Jade Ezzell led the Lady Tigers in points with 16. Kasey Sparks had 14, Hannah Sharp added 12, Lexy Lindsey and Elizabeth Wooten totaled 11 each and Lauren Pacetti hit for 10. Also scoring for Red Bay were Alaina Hester (4), Allie Kennedy (3), Mariah Horton (3), Carlee Berry (2) and Jade Faulkner (1).
Laken Bragwell led Belgreen in scoring with 15 points. Smith had 12 and Thompson added 11. Also scoring for the Lady Bulldogs were Lauren Oliver (6), Haley Simmons (4), Allyson Bragwell (2) and Emma Riley (1).
