The 5-3 Lady Bruins have had an unsettled season with the same Lady Bruin team rarely showing up to consecutive games throughout the season.
Tuesday night a completely different Lady Bruin team showed up to take on the St. Mary’s Lady Crusaders and unleashed the team they have practiced to be all season. Hitting on all cylinders from whistle to whistle, the Lady Bruins sent the senior class on their way on senior night with a decisive victory.
An enthusiastic Lady Bruin team pressed early to set the pace. The smothering Lady Bruin defense allowed 4 Lady Crusader shooters on the board, holding St. Mary’s to just 9 points in the first. The Lady Bruins offense showed no mercy, forcing the action with junior Sierra Fitzhugh #00 leading all scorers in the first with 12 points off of two 3 pointers and three baskets. Lexee Murray #20 and Lexi Schofield #1 both had 6 points as the Lady Bruins put up 30 points in the period.
With a 21 point advantage to start the second, the Lady Bruins turned up the defense in the second. The Lady Crusaders struggled to get the ball over the timeline and could not establish an offensive game plan. Eight Lady Bruins scored in the second. Senior point guard Sidney Alexander #11 led the way with a 3 pointer and a hoop for 5 points while Lexi Schofield #1 and Avana Pettus #10 pounded the ball inside for 4 points each.
After the halftime break, the Lady Bruins eased up the press and the Lady Crusaders took full advantage, establishing a fast break and putting five players in the scorebook led by St. Mary’s guard Paige Rajagopal #10 who hit for 8 of the Lady Crusaders 20 points in the period.
But any glimmer of hope the Lady Crusaders could enjoy was immediately crushed as the Lady Bruins dropped 21 points of their own in the third. Again Schofield led the way from inside the key and from behind the 3 point line with two buckets in the lane and a three-pointer.
Carrying a 75-35 lead going into the final period the Lady Bruins showed no mercy as they pressed the Lady Crusaders to insure there would be no comeback. Avana Pettus continued to get into the paint and put up 4 hard earned points driving to the basket.
The Lady Bruins had four players in double figures in the scorebook led by Lexi Schofield #1 led all scorers with 20 points that included four 3 pointers, but it was senior Avana Pettus #10 who set the pace offensively and defensively determined to put on a show for Lady Bruin fans scoring 14 points on the night.
Coach Schofield told the Wild Coast Compass after the game…”Our energy level was real high tonight. Our ball movement was fantastic, but, for me, the biggest take away was how hard we competed tonight.” he said. “We had some momentary lapses, but our kids really battled on every possession, offensively and defensively. It was our energy and competitiveness that led to defensive stops and easy buckets. We know we won’t shoot like that every night, but we have set a bar so we can strive to be that efficient and clean with the ball moving forward.”
The Lady Bruins will close out regular season play just as they started the season, on the road. The Lady Bruins will take on the 3-6 South Umpqua Lady Lancers in Myrtle Creek Friday night at 5:30pm.
