By Amy Miller
BULLARD — In the District 15-3A opener, the Bullard Lady Panthers defeated the Van Lady Vandals 49-46 at Bullard Gymnasium Friday night.
Natalie Gray, Kanda Carter and Hillary Philpott led the Lady Panthers with 13 points each in the win.
Van opened the game and took an early lead. The Lady Vandals finished the first quarter with a three-point lead.
In the second quarter, the game became more physical, but Bullard was able to take the lead. A quick assist by Natalie Gray to Hillary Philpott for a quick lay-up gave the Lady Panthers the edge, placing them over Van 12-11 with 7:00 left to play in the half. The Lady Panthers were able to head to the locker room at halftime with the lead.
The game continued back and forth throughout the second half, with a Lady Panther always ready to step up and get the job done.
“That is what you have to have,” said Bullard head coach Greg Gay. “We don’t have the big post that you feed the ball in to, so our guards know they’ve got to put the ball on the floor, penetrate and make things happen.”
Gray stepped up late in the fourth quarter and turned up the heat. With 1:10 left in the period, she made a three-point shot to tie the score, 46-46. Sarah Welling drew a foul on a defensive rebound to place her on the free-throw line where she was able to add to the score, giving Bullard a 47-46 lead. Carter was also able to draw a foul placing her on the line with 30 seconds left in the game.
Van was unable to secure the ball to close the three-point gap, giving the Lady Panthers a win in their first district game of the season.
This first win adds to the confidence the girls need to carry them through the season.
“It (the win) gives us a big edge,” Gay said. “You win your first district game, that’s big, especially on your home court.
“We had a 10-point lead and blew that, we got down 10 and fought back. That is twice now, we have come back against them.”
The Lady Panthers take on Chapel Hill Tuesday in Chapel Hill at 6 p.m.
Bullard 49, Van 46
Van 11 10 10 15 — 46
Bullard 8 17 5 19 — 46
BULLARD — Natalie Gray 13, Kanda Carter 13, Hillary Philpott 13, Sarah Welling 4, Elisa Lee 4, Tara Wood 2.
