Kalia Walker hit two free throws in the final minute to erase a one-point deficit and the Bryant White Lady Hornets eighth grade team of Bryant Middle School made it stand up for a nail-biting 21-20 win over the Russellville Lady Whirlwinds on Tuesday.
The Lady Hornets trailed 20-10 going into the fourth quarter. Russellville led 4-1 after the first period and 10-6 at the half.
“We started off really slow,” acknowledged Lady Hornets coach Caleb Harper. “We couldn’t get any shots to fall and our defensive intensity was not where we wanted it to be.
“Going into the fourth, we made a few defensive adjustments and forced a few turnovers for easy baskets,” he said.
So the Lady Hornets held the Lady Whirlwinds scoreless in the final period as they rallied.
“Kalia hit two clutch free throws,” Harper said. “I am proud that our team didn’t give up when we got down by 10. They worked really hard defensively in the fourth quarter to get us back into the game. And offensively, we hit big shots when we needed them.”
Meagan Chism and Allison Steen did most of that damage. Chism finished with 10 points, Steen 8 to go with Walker’s 3.
The win improved the Lady Hornets to 6-4 on the season going into their next game on Saturday, Jan. 17, against Cabot South.
