Blue Lady Hornets remain tough, White improved in seventh-grade game

For more photos of this event by Kevin Nagle, go here

Haya Winfield of Bryant White blocks a shot by Bryant Blue’s Natalie Edmonson. (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

The strengths of the Bryant Blue Lady Hornets seventh grade team of Bethel Middle School were on display on Monday night but the improvement of the Bryant White seventh graders from Bryant Middle School was evident as well.

Led by 11 points from Emileigh Muse, Bryant Blue wound up with a 26-8 victory.

Mary Beth James added 6 points with Natalie Edmonson adding 4, Emma Baker and Simone Dinstbier 2 each and Abby Gentry 1.

For Bryant White, Jayla Knight scored 5 points. Kylee Fleharty added 2 and Bailey Zimmerman had 1.

“Bethel played very well,” said Bryant White head coach Ben Perry. “They have good ball handlers and shooters. Their post is very effective around the block on rebounding and shooting.

“I was proud of my players and how they played against their press,” he added. “Bethel’s press was our biggest downfall at our last meeting and we were able to beat their press much more effectively. Yes, the girls did falter at times but overall they did much better.

Kylee Fleharty (1) hooks a shot over a Bryant Blue defender. (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

“Our biggest problem once again was shooting and making our open layups,” the coach said. “Defensively, we did very well in the first half.”

At the half, Blue led 14-5.

“Much better than our last meeting,” Perry noted. “However, Bethel kept pressing all the way into the fourth quarter even when it was apparent in the third quarter that massive subbing was happening.”

Blue’s lead was 23-8 going into the fourth quarter

“Halfway through the third and the whole fourth quarter, I was able to get the bench involved and everyone gained much needed experience and game time,” Perry mentioned. “The girls played hard and we had a scoreless fourth quarter.

“Bethel’s seventh grade is a strong group and I’m happy that Bryant School District has talented athletes that love to play,” he concluded.