DOC SMITH
Jacksonville Daily Progress
BULLARD —
The Bullard High School girl's basketball squad saved its best for last as the Lady Panthers outscored Spring Hill 35-18 in the second half in route to earning al 47-38 decision over the visitors form Longview.
Alex Abercrombie and Bridgette Taylor came on strong in the final half, aiding the Bullard cause before a nice sized crowd at Panther Gymnasium.
Spring Hill’s, Leslie Blevins led her team to a 20-10 halftime lead with six of her seven-points in the game.
Taylor’s defensive efforts on Blevins proved to be a difference maker in the final half wile also and scoring 11 of her 12-points in the final periods.
Spring Hill controlled the boards throughout the first half as Spring Hill spread out the scoring for a 14-9 advantage after one quarter.
Blevins scored her sixth-point of the game at the 5:24 mark of the second period and a 20-10, Spring Hill lead.
Both teams went cold until with four-seconds left in the half, BHS freshman, Lexi Kirgan scored a bucket and a 20-12, Spring Hill lead at the break.
Maddison Slater hit a three-pointer to start off the second half comeback for Bullard to slice the once 10-point Spring Hill lead to 20-15 early in the third period.
Bullard’s, Taylor and Kirgan made a basket apiece to close the game to 21-19, Spring Hill lead.
Meanwhile Spring Hill struggled from the field and did not score a field goal for over 11-minutes.
Taylor then gave Bullard the first lead of the game with a three-pointer from the top of the key, and a 22-21, lead change for Bullard.
Spring Hill finally got a field goal after 11-minutes and 15-seconds by Martin for her eighth-point of the game, but a 24-23, Bullard lead.
Spring Hill’s Martin and Bullard’s Lexi Abercrombie traded out baskets to make it a 26-25 affair with 2:07 left in the third stanza.
The drought rubbed off on Bullard as the quarter finished at 27-26 after Ashlyn White sunk a basket to regain the Spring Hill lead.
Bullard came out with a different attitude and turned up the defensive pressure to regain the lead and take the win behind a strong last half from both Bridgette Taylor and Lexi Abercrombie.
Abercrombie sank a trey for a final tie at 29-29, and later gained the lead with a steal and a lay in for he tie at 31.
Carolanna Anderson gave Bullard the final lead with an old-fashioned three-point, basket and charity toss, followed by baskets from Abercrombie twice and once by Kirgan to make it a 38-34, Bullard turnaround.
Taylor went six-of-six down the stretch and Abercrombie added in a trey, and eight of her 13-points to lead to the win. Abercrombie led Bullard in scoring, while Taylor and Kirgan added 12-points apiece.
Bullard (12-8; 2-10), will travel to Rusk on Friday night for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
Bullard also won the junior varsity game, 44-11.
Bullard 47, Spring Hill 38
Spring Hill 14 6 7 11 - 38
Bullard 9 3 20 15 - 47
SPRING HILL – Audrey Popelar, 8 ; Ann Hollas, 2; Jacey Fleet, 3; Leslie Blevins, 7; Ashlyn White, 6; Madison Martin, 12.
BULLARD – Bridgette Taylor, 12; Lexi Abercrombie, 13; Maddie Slater, 5 ; Lexi Kirgan,12; Carolanna Anderson, 3.
Three Point Goals – SH: Fleet. B: Slater, Taylor, Abercrombie.
Records – Spring Hill 6-9; 0-1. Bullard 12-8; 2-0.
Next Game — Spring Hill at Texas High, Fri. 6 p.m. Bullard at Rusk, Fri. 6 p.m.
JV SCORE – Bullard 44, Spring Hill 11
