The Bryant Lady Hornets freshman team rushed out to a 12-2 lead in the first quarter and never looked back on the way to a 42-27 win[more] over the Lake Hamilton Junior Lady Wolves Thursday night.
The Lady Hornets thus earned third place in the Bryant Invitational Tournament.
The Lady Hornets include Aubree Allen, Jessica Alliston, Andrea Buford, Ashlee Caton, Caylin Choate, Dezarea Duckworth, Kaitlyn Greer, Keedy Harrison, Taylor Matthews, Dee-Dee Mosby, Melinda Murdock, Amber Newman, Destiny Nichols, Brittany Privett, Erica Smith, Rori Whittaker and Alex Wright.
Duckworth led the way with 16 points. Allen added 10 and Whittaker 8. Murdock added 3, Smith and Greer 2 each and Matthews 1.
“We played a really good game,” stated Lady Hornets coach Nathan Castaldi. “I was very proud of the defense we played. Lake Hamilton is a good team so, to hold them to 8 points the first three quarters is very good.”
Indeed, the Lady Hornets led 18-6 at the half and 26-8 at the end of the third quarter.
“Erica Smith did a great job defensively on their post player,” Castaldi noted.
“Offensively, we came out sharp the first quarter,” he added. “Dezerea and Rori did a good job of pushing the ball to get some easy shots.
“In the second half, we did a good job of spreading the floor and Aubree was able to get some easy looks,” the coach continued. “Finally, in the fourth quarter, we did a good job of hitting free throws as Lake Hamilton tried to get back into the game.”
The Lady Hornets were 10 of 15 at the line in the fourth quarter.
“Hopefully, this game will give us some confidence as we head into Monday’s game against Benton,” Castaldi stated.
The Lady Hornets host the Lady Panthers Monday at the Bryant Middle School gym.
