Jasper falls to Kirbyville 76-46
By GEORGIA PURDY

FRESHMAN COURTNEY BAKER maneuvers past a Kirbyville defender and into scoring position. Baker scored 12 points in Jasper's loss to the Lady Wildcats 76-46.

The Jasper Lady Bulldogs played one of their best games of the season Tuesday night when they led Kirbyville 10-8 at the end of the first quarter and trailed by one point at the half.

Jasper lost 76-46 to Kirbyville.

With the exception of senior Brittany Bronson, this was an all-freshman team. Varsity coach Joe Baker said that other team members failed to show up for practice, so they played with those who did.

Led by Bronson who scored 14 points, these young players did a credible job against the Lady Cats.

At the half, the score stood at 26-25. That was to be the closest these young Lady Bulldogs would come to having a chance to defeat the stronger team.

"The first half was as good a half as we have played all year," Baker said. "We're learning, as a team, that it's going to take the kind of effort we put out in the first half of that game."

In the third quarter, Jasper only scored seven points to Kirbyville's 25. The Lady Cats, led by Demetra Kellum who had a game total of 32 points, sank another 25 in the fourth period; however, Jasper did rally to score 14 points.

Breeuanna Hafford and Courtney Baker scored 12 points each; Clementine Johnson and Michelle Wallace contributed two each.

Baker praised point guard Michelle Wallace for the job she did. The petite Wallace is the smallest player on any team in the district; however, she handles the ball well.

"Michelle Wallace had a good game at the point," Baker said. "She will be a very good point guard. Michelle is a tough ball player."

Jasper made their share of mistakes but as one parent-fan said after the game, "They made mistakes, but those are freshman mistakes. This is going to be a good team in the future."

Friday night's game with Orangefield was another tough game. The ladies lost 91-31.

Bronson scored 17 points; Anna Nation had four.

"Our girls continue to play hard," Baker said. "Turnovers seem to be our biggest problem."

Jasper played Bridge City last night and will be at Hamshire- Fannett Friday.