Lady Dawgs drop non-district tilts
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S COURTNEY BAKER tries to wrestle the ball away from a Huntington player during the Lady Bulldogs' 46-29 loss to Huntington.

The Jasper Lady Bulldogs lost to both Hemphill and Huntington and then took a week off to get ready for the district opener against Kirbyville.

Hemphill, state-ranked fourth in Class 2A in preseason picks by the Texas High School Basketball Coaches Association, proved a tough match. Jasper lost 46-29; however, Jasper coach Joe Baker said his team put up a good fight.

"This team is really coming together," Baker said. "We played Hemphill tough. They have some fine athletes, but the Lady 'Dogs were physical and down 32-24 going into the fourth quarter. We cut the lead to four points but we couldn't get the calls that should have come our way."

Breaunna Hafford led the scoring with nine points; followed by Anna Nation, eight; and Courtney Baker, six. Middleton, Michelle Wallace and Clementine Johnson also contributed.

The 55-38 loss to Huntington on Nov. 13 looked like a possible win for the Lady Bulldogs. They jumped out with a six-point lead in the first quarter and were up 23-21 at the half.

But the second half was a different story. Neither team scored for a full three minutes in the third period. Then Huntington took over and shut Jasper down to end the quarter with a 34- 23 lead. The Lady 'Dogs didn't score a single point.

Jasper rallied with 18 points in the fourth quarter but with a series of fouls and Huntington's momentum, they could not pull out the win.

Junior Varsity lost 25-23 and freshmen, 31-2.

"We are never happy with a loss, but the team has shown this season that they are prepared to be force in District 21-3A," Baker said. "With district beginning this week, we are going to compete this year and our expectations are to make the play-offs."

Jasper played Kirbyville last night and will be in Orangefield Tuesday, Dec. 11.