Lady Bulldogs fall 79-39 to Hardin-Jefferson
By GEORGIA PURDY

BRITTANY BRONSON goes up for a shot as a Hardin- Jefferson player defends.

The Jasper Lady Bulldogs lost 79-39 to Hardin-Jefferson Tuesday night. Brittany Bronson led the Jasper effort with 15 points.

Jasper stayed within two points of the Lady Hawks until near the end of the first quarter. Two costly turnovers and a string of Hardin-Jefferson three-pointers ended the quarter with Jasper down 24-14. Anna Nation posted 10 of Jasper's points.

In the second quarter, the Lady Bulldogs were scoreless until the last two and a half minutes of the period and the half ended 37-22. Bronson scored all eight of Jasper's points.

"Anna and Brittany worked well together on offense in the first quarter," Coach Joe Baker said.

The third quarter ended at 56-31.

"We had too many turnovers after halftime and we played poorly on defense," Baker said. "We have to eliminate the poor first quarter play and learn to come out playing hard in order to stay in our games. I believe the girls realized that they led another win get away from them."

Nation had 14 total game points; Courtney Baker and Breuanna had three points each.

DENISSIA SPIKES dribbles the ball around a Hardin- Jefferson defender during last week's loss.

"This team has the rest of the season to challenge themselves to get a win in a district that has proven to be one of the top 3A districts," Baker said. "Even though this is a very tough season for us, our young ladies have to play with the attitude and mental toughness that it takes to be successful at this level of competition."

Jasper also lost to Silsbee Friday night. Game stats were not available.

The second round of district play began last night with Jasper meeting Kirbyville. They will be on the road Friday, playing Orangefield.