The only thing consistent with Chris Schofields varsity Lady Bruin basketball team this 2020 season, is their inconsistency. So far this year, every game has been an adventure of not knowing which Lady Bruin team will show up that night, the team that is focused and overwhelming, or the team that seems disjointed and unable to adjust.
One thing that has been a staple for the Lady Bruins, is hustle. There is no other team that shares the Lady Bruins pace when they are on their game…and that is the team we were treated to Friday night as the Lady Bruins visited the St. Mary’s Crusaders.
Lady Bruin Senior point guard Sidney Alexander #11 set the tone for the Lady Bruins early hitting two early 3 pointers and putting 11 points on the scoreboard in the first period. Shelby Jirsa #5 and Lexi Schofield #1 both hit 3 pointers as the Lady Bruins ran over the Lady Crusaders early.
After breaking out to a 21-10 lead in the first, the Lady Bruins unleashed senior guard Avana Pettus #10 who ran on the Lady Crusaders everytime she touched the ball putting up 4 baskets and 8 points in the period. The Lady Bruin defense trapped the Lady Crusaders with a defensive press that kept St. Mary’s from establishing any offense. Alexander hit for two more 3’s and Lexi Murray scored 5 points as the Lady Bruins put up 24 points to take a 45-20 lead into the break.
The Lady Crusaders made halftime adjustments and struggled to disrupt the Lady Bruins game. With the defensive adjustments St. Mary’s held the Lady Bruins to just 12 points in the period led by Shelby Jirsa #5 with 5 points from a 3 pointer and a basket. The Lady Bruin defense held the Lady Crusaders to their lowest point total in the game allowing only 9 Lady Crusader points in the period.
With a comfortable 57-27 lead going into the final period, the Lady Bruins were outplayed in the fourth. The Lady Crusaders spread the ball around in the fourth getting 5 different players in the scoring column. The Lady Crusaders took advantage of the Lady Bruins putting up a game high 14 points in the period while their defense stifled the Lady Bruin offense and held them to just 7 points.
The Lady Bruins finished with 64 points led by Lady Bruin Senior point guard Sidney Alexander #11 who hit for 17 points off of four 3 pointers, two baskets and going 1 for 2 from the line. Avana Pettus wasn’t far behind sinking 15 points off of driving to the basket for 12 of her points and a 3 pointer.
Talking with Coach Schofield after the game he said “On a positive note, on a night when our two high scorers had as many fouls (8) as points, we still controlled the game from start to finish. We got good minutes from our bench when we needed it due to foul trouble We were pretty explosive offensively though. Avana got to the rim almost at will. Sidney shot really well and Lexee Murray had some real good plays, especially in the second half.”
The Lady Bruins will be home next Tuesday night to take on the 2-2 Cascade Christian Challengers at Bruin Arena, Tuesday night at 7:00pm.
