GILMER — Bullard outscored Gilmer 45-24 in the final two frames to run away with a game that was far from decided at halftime.
Owning a precarious 20-11 lead over the scrappy Lady Buckeyes at intermission, Bullard (20-3, 1-0) flexed its muscle in the second half to down Gilmer 65-35 in a District 17-3A game played at Buckeye Gymnasium on Friday night.
Seniors Danielle Heithoff, who led all scorers with 26 points, and Calli Miller did most of the damage — Miller added 11 points — for the Lady Panthers, who are ranked No. 3 in the most recent Class 3A poll.
Minta Spears tossed in 10, including a pair from long range, while Samantha Phillips accounted for eight points, also nailing two triples for Bullard.
The Lady Buckeyes were led in the scoring column by Rayven Osborne with 18 points.
Bullard also prevailed in the junior varsity, downing Gilmer 51-28.
District action continues at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday when the Lady Panthers are scheduled to host Tatum.
Bullard staves off Henderson upset bid
BULLARD — Henderson, despite a 2-13 worksheet, came into Panther Gymnasium on Friday night and gave Bullard (14-8) all it wanted.
The Class 4A Lions enjoyed a 25-23 advantage at the break, before the Panthers found their offensive stride in the final two segments and outlasted the Lions 59-51 in a non-district affair.
Brandon Beavers and Lance Anding fueled the Panther attack by pumping in 16 points each with Daniel Howard tossing in 15. Anding converted two 3-pointers.
Hunter Skelton guided the Lions with an 18-point effort.
In subvarsity action, the Panthers turned back the Lions 59-49 in the junior varsity game while the Henderson freshmen easily defeated Bullard 61-25.
The Panthers conclude their non-conference schedule Monday at 7 p.m. when they visit Canton.
No. 8 Guard sets down No. 18 Garland Christian, 55-32
BULLARD — Collin Hanks, one of three Brook Hill players to finish in double figures, was the game’s high point man with 13 as No. 8 ranked Brook Hill cruised past No. 18 Garland Christian 55-32 Thursday evening at Herrington Gymnasium.
The Guard (15-8 overall, 3-0 in district play) led 22-15 at halftime, extended that advantage to 43-30 after three periods in route to the 23-point decision.
Other members of the Guard to hit in double digits were Courtney Thomas with 11 and Jeremy Chappelle who notched 10 points.
The Swordsmen slipped to 2-1 in league play with the loss.
Brook Hill drained six treys in the game; three by Hanks, two from Mason Spradlin and one hoisted by Austin Longemeier.
The Guard was scheduled to host Dallas Shelton School in another league test Saturday afternoon.
Brook Hill girls lose to Garland Christian in OT
BULLARD — The Lady Guard rallied from a nine-point deficit at the break to tie the game at 59 at the end of regulation, only to have Garland Christian get its second wind and outscore Brook Hill 10-2 in the bonus round and subsequently hand the Lady Guard a 69-61 loss at Herrington Gymnasium on Thursday night.
Brook Hill dropped to 3-10 overall, 1-2 in TAPPS District 2-3A play with the defeat, while Garland Christian improved to 2-1 in conference games.
The Lady Guard received strong offensive outputs from Dara Udom, 19 points, with Erica Eden pouring in 18 followed by Amy Jo Teague with 10.
Eden, from Jacksonville, nailed a pair of baskets from behind the arc.
Taylor Koch sparked Garland Christian with 24 points.
The Lady Guard was slated to continue league action Saturday afternoon by hosting Dallas Shelton School.
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