Baker reshuffles varsity's deck
By GEORGIA PURDY

Jasper High School varsity girls basketball coach Joe Baker says he has reshuffled his team after the overwhelming loss to Hemphill, Nov. 21. Baker has moved up six freshmen and switched some of the varsity to JV.

"We had already played Hemphill over the summer and knew what they would do" Baker said. "We let down and just didn't seem to have the desire to play. I knew I needed to rebuild the team and I want people on the court who look like a basketball team. I want people who really want to play and have the heart to do it."

These ninth graders, Breaunna Hafford, Michelle Wallace, Courtney Baker, Tishea Parks, and Brittany and Brandi Goff, have been playing together since seventh grade and move the ball well.

They have stronger fundamentals than any freshman group in recent history. Baker said that he doesn't think they will be intimidated.

"When they found out that they would be moved up, they were excited," he said. "They want to play and they play well together."

The new team competed in the Hudson tournament over the weekend and even though they didn't win a game, Baker said they showed a lot of promise.

"They did well," he said. "These ninth graders will hustle. There are a number of teams in our district who are playing some freshmen at the varsity level, and these ninth graders showed me that they want to compete.

After a 78-15 loss to Class 5A Nacogdoches, the Lady Bulldogs went up against Groveton, losing by a single point, 37-36.

After a sluggish first half, they came alive the last two quarters, trailing 27-23 in the third and 37-36 in the fourth.

They met Class 4A Livingston next, losing that one 50-29 and then played Groveton a second time where they trailed 50-47.

Junior Shalithia Middleton scored 15 points against Groveton in the first game and 20 in the second. Brittany Bronson followed with eight and freshman Breaunna Hafford had seven in the second game.

Audri Phillips was high with eight points in the first Groveton game, followed by Amber Grant, six and Brittany Bronson, four.

Jasper does not have the height or the number of seniors with experience that they have had in the past; and in this tough new district, it will be an uphill battle to get into the playoffs.

"My goal is to rebuild this program," he said. "I knew this would be a tough year. I think this move will benefit the team in the long run."

The Lady Bulldogs opened district against Kirbyville last night and will be at home against Orangefield Dec. 12.