Silsbee downs Jasper 77-54
By GEORGIA PURDY

JASPER'S SENIOR BRITTANY BRONSON, left, was named to the second-team all-district team. Bronson averaged 16.7 points per game for the Lady Bulldogs this year. Junior Anna Nation, above, was named as an honorable mention pick to the District 21-3A All-District squad.

The Jasper Lady Bulldog basketball team ended the season Tuesday night with a 77-54 loss to Silsbee, but to look at the way they hustled until the final buzzer sounded, one would never know they did not win a single district game.

They played close, within two to four points until the end of the first quarter when Silsbee went up 20-13, came back in the second to trail by four points before dropping behind 36-25 at the half.

Jasper guard Tameeka Galloway connected two quick buckets in the second half to put them behind by only five points. Silsbee came back to take a 10-point lead before Courtney Baker started another rally with a threepointer. But when Brittany Bronson fouled out, the Lady Tigers were able to increase their margin to 54-43 at the end of the third period.

They continued to play hard in the fourth quarter, but without Bronson, the scored continued to slide until the 77-54 final.

Anna Nation led Jasper's scoring effort with 12 points, followed by Bronson, 11; Courtney Baker, 10; and Tameeka Galloway, six.

"I was extremely proud of the way our girls played," coach Joe Baker said. "Playing in the toughest Class 3A district in the state wasn't very kind, but I wouldn't trade it in. I watched these girls grow up over the season and this team transform itself into something special."

As the Lady Bulldogs lost game after game, the "special" nature of the group became more apparent. They were young and inexperienced, often playing with a predominantly freshman squad, but they never gave up.

"It was pride- the integrity of the game," senior Brittany Bronson said, "We always kept our heads up. In the end, the only ones who don't win are those that don't try."

Junior Denessia Spikes was pleased that they did so well against Silsbee since they had lost by an even bigger margin in the first round. She compared them to the volleyball team who also struggled all season.

"Some people just quit," Spikes said. "We never forgot our potential and we never let down."

Baker said that the other teams in the district took note of how hard his team played.

"They gained the respect of every coach and every team before the season was over," Baker said. "And the team motto 'one team, one dream' is real to them. They learned how to trust and encourage each other and finally, play hard for one another."

Baker cited individuals for their accomplishments: senior Brittany Bronson, who had a 16.7 average, played hurt all season and was named second-team All-District; junior Anna Nation, named honorable mention, who remained consistent and gave them tough points in the paint; senior Audri Phillips, who he calls 'Miss Hustle' for her ability to counter opposing teams' best ball handlers; junior Denissia Spikes, a gritty player who showed a lot of improvement; and senior Tameeka Galloway, who took over the role of point guard late in the season.

In addition, he named some of the younger players who made significant contributions and said he is looking forward to coaching them next year: freshman Breaunna Hafford, who stepped up, played well and is predicted to be a great defensive player; sophomore Clementine Johnson, who played well against Silsbee; and freshman Courtney Baker, who grew as a shooter.

As the Lady Bulldogs closed their season, Audri Phillips summed up the teams' continued positive attitude.

"We knew after last year that this would be a hard district," senior Audri Phillips said. "We also know we have young players coming up and we had to set an example."